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/
Updated 3/3/10
SUMMARY
NHA supports FY 2011 grants funding of at least $10 million, the figure requested in the President's budget, for the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC)- a small, but vitally important body within the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). We also support and seek Congressional approval of a five-year reauthorization of the NHPRC's grants program at the $20 million level. This would allow NHPRC to accommodate growing demand for project support, particularly to increase electronic access and to promote state/federal partnerships.
The NHPRC funds competitive grant programs for publishing historical records, basic and detailed archives processing, digitizing historical records, electronic records research and preservation, the development of strategies and tools for archives and documentary editing projects, and professional education projects. Since its founding, NHPRC has awarded more than 4,600 grants to institutions in every U.S. state and territory, connecting Americans with primary source materials documenting the history, culture, and democracy of the nation and its people. See also:
FUNDING OVERVIEW
The NHPRC is funded at $13.0 million in the current fiscal year (FY 2010) ending September 30, 2010. This level represents a significant increase of $3.75 million in grant funds over the previous fiscal year (FY 2009), which provided only $9.25 million for grants.
For FY 2010, there is an Administration-requested set-aside of $4.5 million to implement the Founding Fathers Online Project beyond a $250K pilot phase coordinated by Documents Compass at the University of Virginia.
NHPRC is funded under the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. The FY 2010 Financial Services bill (H.R. H3170/S1432) was enacted on 12/16/09 as one of six appropriations bills rolled into the year-end Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-117).
FY 2011 BUDGET REQUEST
For FY 2011, the Obama Administration has requested $10 million in grants funding for the NHPRC. The President’s Budget Request represents an apparent decrease of $3.0 million for NHPRC for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2010. However, the proposed FY 2011 budget actually constitutes an increase of $1.5 million for regular grants, as the FY 2010 enacted budget included a one-time, $4.5 million set-aside for the Founding Fathers Online Project. There are no designated projects in the FY 2011 budget (i.e., the entire $10 million may be used for competitive grants).
SUMMARY
NHA supports and seeks Congressional approval of a five-year reauthorization of the NHPRC's grants program at the $20 million level.
The NHPRC was established in June, 1934, along with the National Archives and Records Administration, by H.R. 8910, "An Act to establish a National Archives of the United States Government, and for other purposes." The NHPRC’s grants program began in 1964. The Commission's most recent authorization (for up to $10 million in annual appropriations for the five year period ending FY 2009) expired on October 1, 2009.
111TH CONGRESS
On March 17, 2009, Rep. Lacy Clay (D-MO) introduced a bill (H.R. 1556) to reauthorize NHPRC appropriations up to $20 million ‘for each of fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014' - twice the previously authorized level of $10 million. On December 11, 2009, a Senate version of the bill (S.2872) was introduced by Senator Thomas Carper (D-DE). The Senate bill would increase the NHPRC’s authorized spending level by $500,000 annually, beginning at $13.0 million in fiscal year FY 2010 and ending at $15 million in FY 2014. Neither the House nor the Senate version of the bill was voted on before the end of last year’s session. See also:
OVERSIGHT
The following Congressional committees have jurisdiction over NHPRC authorization and civilian nominations:
