NEH grants

    The Society of American Archivists (SAA) has declared May 1,
    2006 "May Day" for Disaster Preparedness (see
    <URL:http://www.archivists.org/mayday/MayDayActivityList.pdf> )

    This occasion would be a good time for institutions to apply for
    up to $5,000 in NEH "Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller
    Institutions" (deadline: May 15, 2006). The grants can be used
    to fund emergency training, assessments, and/or supplies.
    Institutions can ask for Emergency Planning and Response Tools
    to protect endangered heritage resources in archives, libraries,
    museums, or historical societies.  Examples of "tools" that may
    be funded include the following:

        1.  Training, such as:

            *   CCAHA's one-day workshop on Writing Your Disaster
                Plan for Libraries and Archives.  Topics to be
                covered include the disaster planning process,
                hazard identification and mitigation, initial
                response activities, supplies to have on hand,
                health and safety concerns, and staff training
                needs.  Call CCAHA at 215-545-0613 for costs and
                details.  The workshop can be tailored to specific
                training needs.

            *   NEDCC's  programs for:

                *   A One-Day Disaster Planning Course based on
                    participants filling out and using D-Plan
                    program to develop an Emergency Response Plan
                    <URL:http://www.dplan.org>

                *   A One-Day Course on Wet Materials Recovery for
                    Archives and Libraries, for which the repository
                    must identify disposable materials to obtain
                    hands-on training in recovery.

                *   A Two-Day Combination Disaster Planning and
                    Recovery Course that covers both challenges at
                    the repository. Call NEDCC at 978-470-1010 for
                    costs and details.

        2.  Assessments, such as:

            *   CCAHA's Disaster Plan Development Assistance to help
                support repositories interested in assistance in
                developing and writing of a disaster plan.  Call
                CCAHA at 215-545-0613 for costs and details.

            *   NEDCC's programs for:

                *   A One-Day Onsite Hazard Assessment and Review by
                    Conservators with resulting verbal and written
                    reports describing hazards to the holdings,
                    structure, researchers, and staff.

                *   A One-Day General Preservation Holdings and
                    Building Survey with resulting verbal and
                    written reports including an identification of
                    hazards, plus recommendations of disaster
                    recovery priorities, and actions.  Call NEDCC at
                    978-470-1010 for costs and details.

            For additional sources of help, see

                Heritage Health Index Resources for Collections Care
                <URL:http://www.heritagepreservation.org/
                    HHI/resources.html>

                The Regional Alliance for Preservation
                <URL:http://www.rap-arcc.org/>

                AIC
                <URL:http://aic.stanford.edu/public/select.html>) and
                <URL:http://www.heritagepreservation.org/
                    CAP/> and

        3.  Supplies, such as

                React Paks
                301-320-7231
                Fax: 301-320-7232
                <URL:http://www.protext.net/products/reactpak.html>
                protext [at] protext__net

    Grant proposals should:

        a.  Discuss the specific risks faced in your location and
            building (e.g., hurricanes, earthquakes, fires) and how
            this funding will help mitigate those risks;

        b.  Describe what makes your holdings unique and
            irreplaceable and why NEH should fund this effort (e.g.,
            you have a unique and world class collection of
            irreplaceable original 18th and 19th century lighthouse
            drawings that provide key information and evidence on
            the history of the 19th century Maine coast,
            northeastern architecture, and shipping history);

        c.  Explore who uses the materials being protected (e.g.,
            over X number of users each year work with these
            irreplaceable materials including historians, educators,
            lighthouse scholars, filmmakers, students, etc-please
            mention if usage is posing challenges to your holdings)

        d.  Indicate whether you have a current disaster plan, need
            an updated one, or have none

        e.  Explain why you need training, an assessment (e.g., no
            conservator on staff, no staff training on disaster
            recovery, etc), or supplies and

        f.  Build a solid case for why this project should be funded
            as opposed to all the other projects out there.

    Application details can be found at:

        <URL:http://www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/pag.html#howto>

        a.  Look at the criteria to ensure your repository and your
            project are both eligible.

        b.  If your repository has not yet registered in grants.Gov,
            you must do so now. grants.gov is the tool you use to
            submit your application.

            See <URL:http://www.grants.gov/> to create an
            institutional profile prior to registering.

            The process is explained at:
            <URL:http://www.neh.gov/
                grants/grantsgov/grantsgovchecklist.html>

            Keep in mind you must download the PureEdge Viewer
            software to fill out the grants.gov application. This
            software is available at no charge at
            <URL:http://www.grants.gov/DownloadViewer>.

        c.  Look at the sample successful project narratives

                Museum of History and Art
                <URL:http://www.neh.gov/
                    grants/guidelines/pagsamples/museumhistoryart.pdf>

                Betsy Ross House
                <URL:http://www.neh.gov/
                    grants/guidelines/pagsamples/betsyrosshouse.pdf>

                Town of Winchester
                <URL:http://www.neh.gov/
                    grants/guidelines/pagsamples/winchester.pdf> )

            And, review the frequently asked questions

                <URL:http://www.neh.gov/
                    grants/guidelines/pagfaqs.html>

                <URL:http://www.neh.gov/
                    grants/guidelines/pag.html#howto>

        d.  Download the NEH application package from grants.gov
            complete the crucial three forms:

            *   Application for Federal Domestic Assistance--Short
                Organizational (SF-424 Short)--this form asks for
                basic information about the project, the project
                director, and the institution.

            *   Supplementary Cover Sheet for NEH Grant
                Programs--this form asks for additional information
                about the project director, the institution, and the
                budget.

            *   NEH Attachment Form--this form allows you to attach
                your narrative, budget, and the other parts of your
                application.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 19:53
                  Distributed: Sunday, April 30, 2006
                       Message Id: cdl-19-53-004
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