Skip Navigation
Home > Advocacy > Federal Funding Priorities > National Historical Publications & Records Commission
Skip Navigation

National Historical Publications & Records Commission

Program Description
The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), commonly referred to as the ‘grant-making’ arm of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), was established by Congress in 1934, along with NARA, to promote the preservation and use of the American documentary record.  NHPRC grants support a wide range of activities to preserve and increase access to historical records and to publish, in print and/or electronically, the papers of significant figures and themes relating to the history of the United States.  [URL: www.archives.gov/nhprc/]

Action Needed
For FY 2014, we urge Congress to provide at least $5 million (level funding) for the grants program of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The Administration’s FY 2014 budget requests only $3 million for the NHPRC, an amount that will not support the ongoing programs and mission of the Commission at even a minimal level.  It is up to the Congress to preserve this program, which has already been cut substantially in previous fiscal years.     

Current Funding Status: 
Under the sequester, NHPRC’s funding declined to $4.75 million from $5 million under the CR, which was a $2.0 million cut from the FY 2011 level of $7.0 million (and a decrease of $8.0 million from the FY 2010 level of $13.0 million). The NHPRC grants program is funded under the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. 

NHPRC Annual Appropriations, FY 2010 to Present (in millions of dollars)

Fiscal Year  2010  2011  2012 2013
Budget Request  10.0 (1)  7.0  5.0 3.0
Appropriations  13.0 (2)  10.0  5.0 n/a
    (1) The Administration’s FY 2010 Budget recommended $10.0 overall funding for NHRPC, including $4.5 million for a one-time set-aside for digitization of the Founding Fathers Papers (no-year funds), and $5.5 million for regular grants.
    (2) For the final FY 2010 (enacted) appropriation, Congress approved a higher, overall level of $13.0 for NHPRC, which included $4.5 million for the Administration’s set-aside, and $8.5 million for regular grants.

Committee Jurisdiction
Appropriations:

Authorization:

Talking points

  • This small grants program within the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) enables NARA to provide-
    • National leadership through grants that support exploration of major archival issues, such as electronic records, coordination and communication among state archivists nationwide, and
    • Grants to documentary editions (book and electronic) of the papers of individuals and institutions that have been identified as nationally significant. 
  • NHPRC supports publications projects of national significance, such as the Ratification of the U.S. Constitution project, the Papers of Abraham Lincoln, and the Papers of George Washington and is committed to promoting increased public access to these publications through digitization.
  • NHPRC grants provide the Archivist of the United States with his primary tool for providing national leadership and promoting national and regional cooperation among the state archivists to address common issues such as electronic records.
  • NHPRC grants leverage state, local, institutional, foundation, and other private funding by requiring 50% cost sharing—i.e. for every federal dollar invested, another dollar is spent. NHPRC funding is the linchpin of most projects’ funding structures.

Additional Resources