Federal grant programs / Department of the Interior

Historic Preservation Fund Grants-In-Aid (15.904)

Also known as (HPF)

• Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$540 million
• Grant awards1,667
• Typical award$97,898
• Awarded in FY 2025$74.2 million
• Size rank354 of 1824
• Type of assistanceFormula grants, project grants

Key findings

• Annual funding fell from $92.2 million in fiscal 2021 to $74.2 million in fiscal 2025.
• It is the 354th largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
• The 20 largest recipients received 28% of the money.
• Awards went to recipients in 59 states and territories.

What the program funds

To provide congressionally mandated grants to States, Tribes, Territories, the Freely Associated States, the District of Columbia, Certified Local Governments, and other applicants as defined by Congress, to assist in the identification, evaluation, and protection of historic properties by such means as education, survey, planning, technical assistance, preservation, documentation, and financial incentives like grants and tax credits available for historic properties. Congressionally mandated grants may be in the form of formula grants or congressionally directed spending in the form of community-project funding.

From the federal Assistance Listing. Read the full listing on SAM.gov.

Open opportunities

No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.

Rules from the program listing

What the money can and cannot pay for

FORMULA Grants can directly finance staff salaries, equipment, and materials, and travel necessary to accomplish required program area purposes. Awarded funds may be transferred (and for States 10% must be) to third parties to carry out historic preservation activities such as surveys, preservation plans, National Register nominations, architectural plans and specifications, historic structures reports, and engineering studies necessary to restore or repair properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In accordance with 54 USC §302902., as amended, grantees must agree to assume, after completion of a rehabilitation project, the cost of the continued maintenance, repair, and administration of the property in a manner satisfactory to the Secretary. PROJECT grants assist in the identification, nomination, evaluation, and protection of historic properties as defined by Congress and the National Historic Preservation Act. ALL funded projects must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Archeology and Historic Preservation (36 CFR 78). Major reconstruction is not eligible, and rarely acquisition.

Continue reading on SAM.gov

Matching requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Matching Requirements: Formula grants are awarded at a ratio of 60 percent Federal, 40 percent State (public and/or private funds and/or allowable in-kind contributions). American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands and Virgin Islands are exempt from matching share per Public Law 96-205. Project grants (Congressionally Directed Spending in the form of Community-Project Funding) do not have a matching requirement unless otherwise provided by law.MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Award range and average, in the agency's words

Range $50,000.00 - $2,000,000.00 Average $400,000.000

Examples of funded projects

Fiscal Year2025: This program provides matching grants to State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) to complete work as defined in the National Historic Preservation Act. Funding is used to restore and preserve historic buildings, manage and protect cultural resources, educate the public about historical and cultural heritage, revitalize historic districts and communities, conduct archaeological research and excavations, provide technical assistance and training for preservation professionals, and document and register historic sites.Fiscal Year2026: 1) Preserving and Protecting Historic Places: Funding supports the identification, evaluation, and protection of historic properties that are important to communities and the nation. This includes activities like surveying historic sites, documenting their history, and planning for their preservation. 2) Education and Community Engagement: Grants help educate the public about the value of historic places, including offering workshops, creating educational materials, and providing technical assistance to those interested in preserving their heritage. 3) Supporting Tribal and State Historic Offices: Funding enables Tribal and State Historic Preservation Offices to carry out activities required by federal law, such as reviewing projects that might affect historic sites, maintaining inventories of historic properties, and advising on preservation best practices.

Continue reading on SAM.gov

Quoted from the program's federal Assistance Listing. The notice of funding opportunity is the official source for each competition's rules.

Who usually wins

State and local governments received 62% of the money, nonprofits 18% and tribes 16%.

By state

Each state below has its own page for this program, with its recipients and yearly totals.

Award amounts are federal obligations reported to USAspending.gov for fiscal 2021 to 2025; see how our data works.