The Ohio Archives Grants are funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), an arm of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) through their State Board Programming Grants. Grants of $500 to $5,000 are available to archival institutions to fund projects to preserve and/or provide access to Ohio’s historical records. Eligible grant projects include: repository assessment, policy development/strategic planning, digitization and collection access and/or preservation projects.
2022 Grant Program
OHRAB is now accepting applications for its 2022 grant program. Grant applications are due March 31, 2022.
Projects eligible for funding in 2022 include:
- Assessment and Strategic Planning: hiring consultants to identify needs and priorities for improving the organization, description, preservation and access to collections.
- Access, Arrangement and Description: identifying, organizing, and improving access to historical records.
- Preservation: purchasing archival file folders, archival boxes, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, hygrothermographs, or HEPA vacuum cleaners.
- Website Development: Adding collections to online catalog, developing virtual archives, or creating an on-line database. Websites designed to support access to researchers (e.g., online catalogs, finding aids, and digitized collections, rather than curated web exhibits) will receive preference in funding.
- Projects focused on under-documented communities and topics, as well as underserved communities, are encouraged.
Please Note: all projects should produce some type of online content, such as a finding aid, report or digital images.
Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit draft grant applications for feedback. Draft applications must be received by February 25 and comments and recommendations on the drafts should not be construed as guaranteeing a grant award.
**PLEASE NOTE: OHRAB is awaiting formal notification from the NHPRC on the funding for the regrants. While it is necessary for OHRAB to announce this grant opportunity and begin to receive your proposals, all awards are contingent on OHRAB receiving the funds from the NHPRC.
OHRAB 2022 Grant Application Packet
OHRAB-Regrant-Summary-Page-2022
Questions? Please contact: Stephen Badenhop, Records and Archives Coordinator, Union County Records Center (937-645-4177; sbadenhop@unioncountyohio.gov).
***A Short Video with Helpful Hints for Regrant Applications***
2021 Grant Recipients
- Auglaize County Historical Society, Wapakoneta, OH: Protecting Archives Materials ($739.18)
- Congregation Rodef Sholom, Youngstown, OH: Improving the Organization, Preservation and Accessibility of the Congregation Rodef Sholom Archives ($4,081.12)
- Lakeside Heritage Society, Lakeside, OH: Describing and Digitizing the Lakeside Chautauqua’s Seasonal Programming Records ($4,334.00)
- Mantua Historical Society, Mantua, OH: Making Preservation and Accessibility Improvements to Mantua Historical Society’s Archival Collection ($1,065.08)
- Marlboro Township Historical Society, Hartville, OH: Digitize and Archive Historical Documents ($1,672.02)
- Muskingum University, New Concord, OH: Organizing, Preserving, and Improving Access to the Social and Historical Muskingum University Archives ($4,435.30)
- Oberlin Heritage Center, Oberlin, OH: Digitizing OHC’s VHS Collection ($2,582.87)
- Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH: Preserving and Amplifying Diverse Voices at ONU ($1,000.00)
- Wyandot County Historical Society, Upper Sandusky, OH: Wyandot County Government Documents Storage Project ($1,000.00)
- Village of Yellow Springs, Yellow Springs, OH: Council Record Modernization Project ($1,687.47)
2021 Grant Program
OHRAB is now accepting applications for its 2021 grant program. Grant applications are due March 31, 2021.
Projects eligible for funding in 2021 include:
- Assessment and Strategic Planning: hiring consultants to identify needs and priorities for improving the organization, description, preservation and access to collections.
- Access, Arrangement and Description: identifying, organizing, and improving access to historical records.
- Preservation: purchasing archival file folders, archival boxes, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, hygrothermographs, or HEPA vacuum cleaners.
- Website Development: Adding collections to online catalog, developing virtual archives, or creating an on-line database. Websites designed to support access to researchers (e.g., online catalogs, finding aids, and digitized collections, rather than curated web exhibits) will receive preference in funding.
Please Note: all projects should produce some type of online content, such as a finding aid, report or digital images.
2021 Grant Application Materials
- OHRAB Grant Application Packet (Updated February 1, 2021)
- OHRAB-Regrant-Summary-Page-2021
- OHRAB-Regrant-Budget-Form
2020 Grant Recipients
- Bay Village Historical Society, Bay Village, OH Preservation and Digitization of the Early Settlers’ Papers ($1,131.00)
- Boardman Township, Boardman, OH Digitization and Preservation of Zoning Department Records ($3,837.00)
- Cleveland Police Historical Society, Cleveland, OH Historic Cleveland Police Photographs Digitization Project ($750.00)
- Delhi Historical Society, Cincinnati, OH Improving the Preservation, Organization and Accessibility of Large Documents, Drawings and Photographs ($2,984.00)
- Lakewood Historical Society, Lakewood, OH Improving Access to the Lakewood History Collection ($975.00)
- Rodman Public Library, Alliance, OH Digitizing Alliance’s Newspaper for Online Access ($4,050.00)
- Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, Mount Saint Joseph, OH Digitizing the Microfilm Archive of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati ($3,196.00)
REVISED 2020 REGRANT PROJECT DATES
Due to COVID-19, the 2020 grant application deadline has been extended until April 30, 2020. The revised timeline for grant projects is now:
- Application deadline: April 30
- Grants Announced: May 22
- Projects Begin: June 1
- Interim Reports Due: September 30
- Grant Funding Must Be Spent By: December 31, 2020
- Projects Completed: January 31, 2021
- Final Reports Due: February 7, 2021
Questions? Please contact ohrab@ohiohistory.org.
Projects eligible for funding in 2020 include:
- Assessment and Strategic Planning: hiring consultants to identify needs and priorities for improving the organization, description, preservation and access to collections.
- Access, Arrangement and Description: identifying, organizing, and improving access to historical records.
- Preservation: purchasing archival file folders, archival boxes, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, hygrothermographs, or HEPA vacuum cleaners.
- Website Development: Adding collections to online catalog, developing virtual archives, or creating an on-line database. Websites designed to support access to researchers (e.g., online catalogs, finding aids, and digitized collections, rather than curated web exhibits) will receive preference in funding.
Please Note: all projects should produce some type of online content, such as a finding aid, report or digital images.
2020 Application Materials
Example of a funded grant application: Union County Records Center & Archives Reorganization and Preservation of Clerk of Court’s Records 2011
June 2019 Grant Recipients
- Clark County Board of Elections, Springfield, OH Preserving Clark County’s Election History ($1,022)
- Clark County Historical Society, Springfield, OH Oral History Digitization Project ($1,043)
- Licking County Records & Archives, Newark, OH Cleaning and Rehousing Courthouse Attic Records ($1,226)
- Village of Lockington, Lockington, OH Organization of Village Historical Records ($850)
- Village of Sugar Grove, Sugar Grove, OH Preserving Sugar Grove’s Legacy ($2,538)
March 2019 Grant Recipients
- Belmont County District Library, Martins Ferry, OH Local History Scanning Station for Belmont County ($1,428)
- Boardman Township Department of Planning and Zoning, Boardman, OH Digitization and Preservation of Zoning Department Records ($2,516)
- Cleveland Grays Armory Museum, Cleveland, OH Archiving the Archives: Finally Getting It Right ($2,341)
- Fairfield County Heritage Association, Lancaster, OH Preservation, Organization and Digitization of Records from the Boys’ Industrial School and the Fairfield County Chapter of the American Red Cross ($1,222)
- Kent Historical Society, Kent, OH KHS Oral History Transcription Project ($650)
- Laurel School, Shaker Heights, OH Blazing the Trail: 125 Years at Laurel School ($1,465)
- Ravenna Township, Ravenna, OH Grandview Memorial Park Cemetery Records Preservation ($3,400)
- Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, Mount Saint Joseph, OH Digitizing Rare Published Resources from the College of Mount St. Joseph and the Good Samaritan Hospital of Nursing ($2,299)
June 2019 Grant Opportunity
Grant applications are due June 14, 2019.
Application Materials:
- June 2019 Regrant Application Packet
- OHRAB Regrant Summary Page (PDF editable pages 12 &13 of above document)
- OHRAB Regrant Budget Form (xlsx)
Projects eligible for funding include:
- Assessment and Strategic Planning: hiring consultants to identify needs and priorities for improving the organization, description, preservation and access to collections.
- Access, Arrangement and Description: identifying, organizing, and improving access to historical records.
- Preservation: purchasing archival file folders, archival boxes, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, hygrothermographs, or HEPA vacuum cleaners.
- Website Development: Adding collections to online catalog, developing virtual archives, or creating an on-line database. Websites designed to support access to researchers (e.g., online catalogs, finding aids, and digitized collections, rather than curated web exhibits) will receive preference in funding.
2019 Grant Opportunity
Grant applications are due February 28, 2019.
Projects eligible for funding in 2019 include:
- Assessment and Strategic Planning: hiring consultants to identify needs and priorities for improving the organization, description, preservation and access to collections.
- Access, Arrangement and Description: identifying, organizing, and improving access to historical records.
- Preservation: purchasing archival file folders, archival boxes, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, hygrothermographs, or HEPA vacuum cleaners.
- Website Development: Adding collections to online catalog, developing virtual archives, or creating an on-line database. Websites designed to support access to researchers (e.g., online catalogs, finding aids, and digitized collections, rather than curated web exhibits) will receive preference in funding.
Please Note: all projects should produce some type of online content, such as a finding aid, report or digital images.
**PLEASE NOTE: OHRAB is awaiting formal notification from the NHPRC on the funding for the regrants. While it is necessary for OHRAB to announce this grant opportunity and begin to receive your proposals, all awards are contingent on OHRAB receiving the funds from the NHPRC.
2019 Grant Application Materials
- OHRAB 2019 Grant Application Packet
- OHRAB Regrant Summary Page (PDF editable pages 12 &13 of above document)
- OHRAB Regrant Budget Form (xlsx)
OHRAB Regrants FAQs and Application Tips
Prior Recipients: 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011