FY2023 ABPP - Battlefield Interpretation Grant

Battlefields and sites of armed conflict are powerful reminders of the shared heritage of all Americans. To learn and heal from the past, the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program (NPS ABPP) promotes the preservation and interpretation of these important places (54 U.S.C. § 308101). NPS ABPP supports community-driven stewardship of historic resources through four grant opportunities: Preservation Planning, Battlefield Restoration, Battlefield Interpretation, and Battlefield Land Acquisition.NPS ABPP administers Battlefield Interpretation Grants to provide assistance for projects that deploy technology to modernize and enhance battlefield interpretation and education at Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War battlefield sites eligible for assistance under the Battlefield Acquisition Grant Program established under 54 U.S.C. §308103(b). These grants require a non-Federal cost share of at least 50% of the total project costs, or a ratio of 1:1 with the total Federal funds. State, local, and tribal governments, as well as nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply.Applicants should emphasize partnerships and collaboration among diverse stakeholders in all phases of their project, including but not limited to the active participation of landowners, descendant communities, Indian Tribes, state and tribal historic preservation offices, and non-profit organizations.Proposed projects should: Include expertise in content, interpretive and educational methods, and integration of technology at all stages of the project;Convene a project team with a diversity of perspectives and sources of knowledge (disciplinary, cultural, experiential, etc.). To better understand and interpret the past, projects should not rely on a single subject matter expert;  Undergo clear, collaborative, and comprehensive scoping with both subject matter specialists and technical specialists prior to technical production;Use technology in ways that foster effective communication with the intended audience(s). Projects may combine multiple forms of technology or traditional interpretive media, and grants may fund stakeholder consultation and audience research to ensure that appropriate platforms and technologies are selected; Define appropriate metrics and strategies for evaluating the project’s effectiveness during and after implementation; andPlan for technological and institutional sustainability.  Two categories of grants are available for battlefield interpretation projects in different stages: Scoping Grants: These are available to fund the early stages of project development, such as research and content creation, consultation with stakeholders, exploration of available technologies, audience research, and development of technical proposals. The federal share for these grants should range from $20,000-$50,000 and have a period of performance of 1-2 years.Implementation Grants: These are available to applicants who have completed interdisciplinary scoping prior to the application and can provide draft content and design plans. The federal share for these grants should range from $50,000-$200,000 and have a period of performance of 2-3 years. As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, NPS ABPP encourages projects that promote and expand preservation as well as enhance our understanding of the origins of the United States. Special thematic priority will be given to applications that preserve and interpret historic sites associated with the American Revolutionary War as a living part of community life and development.