Federal grant programs / Department of the Interior

American Battlefield Protection (15.926)

Also known as ABPP (Planning Grants)

• Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$8.2 million
• Grant awards81
• Typical award$93,500
• Awarded in FY 2025$2.1 million
• Size rank1,532 of 1,823
• Type of assistanceCooperative agreements

Key findings

• Annual funding rose from $231,155 in fiscal 2021 to $2.1 million in fiscal 2025.
• It is the 1532nd largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
• The 20 largest recipients received 62% of the money.
• Awards went to recipients in 29 states and territories.

What the program funds

To provide Federal financial assistance to State, local and tribal governments, other public entities, educational institutions, and private nonprofit organizations to identify, evaluate, interpret, and protect historic battlefields and sites associated with armed conflicts on American soil through non-acquisition projects and activities.

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

Who can apply

Interstate, Intrastate, State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals), Local (includes State-designated lndian Tribes: excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals), Public nonprofit institution/organizations (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), Federally Recognized lndian Tribal Governments, U.S. Territories and possessions (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), Private nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), Native American Organizations (includes lndian groups, cooperatives, corporations, partnerships, associations) State and local governments and agencies; public and State controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education; nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; Federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments); and Native Hawaiian organizations including any organization that serves and represents the interests of Native Hawaiians, has as a primary and stated purpose the provision of services to Native Hawaiians, and has expertise in Native Hawaiian affairs. Multi-organizational applications are encouraged.

What the money can and cannot pay for

Funds may be used for projects resulting in the protection and preservation of battlefield lands and their associated sites on American soil. No funding is given to projects dealing with acquisition of properties or land in fee or interest, payment of rent on properties or land, fund raising, lobbying, battle reenactments, new construction or reconstruction of historic resources, permanent staff positions, academic scholarships, capital construction or improvement projects (site excavation, trail or road construction, parking lots, visitor centers, scene restoration, etc.).

Matching requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing. Matching requirements are not applicable to Preservation Planning Grants. A 50% non-Federal share, or 1:1 match, is required for Battlefield Interpretation Grants and Battlefield Restoration Grants.MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Deadlines

Preservation Planning Grants - Annual applications are posted in mid-December and due in mid-March. Battlefield Restoration Grants – Annual applications are posted in mid-March and due in mid-July. Battlefield Interpretation Grants – Annual applications are posted in mid-April and due in mid-August. Contact the headquarters office for specific application deadlines.

Award range and average, in the agency's words

Range: $10,000 - $500,000 Average: $200,000

Examples of funded projects

Fiscal Year2025: 1) Studying and Mapping Historic Battlefields: Funding can support archaeological field surveys and research to locate battlefield features, map troop movements, and better understand how past conflicts unfolded. These projects help identify where fighting took place, uncover physical evidence, and document important aspects of battlefield history. 2) Updating Battlefield Preservation Plans: Grants may be used to update long-term plans that guide how historic battlefields should be protected and cared for. This can include studying landscape changes, assessing threats, and planning how the site can be preserved for future generations. 3) Improving Battlefield Exhibits and Visitor Centers: Funding can help create new displays, update interpretive content, and install interactive exhibits that explain what happened during a battle. These improvements help visitors better understand troop actions, civilian experiences, and how the site played a role in major events. 4) Documenting Battlefield Heritage for Future Protection: Funding can support detailed documentation of battlefield history, including research into the people who fought there, the communities affected, and the broader military context. These efforts help ensure the site’s historical significance is clearly understood and preserved.

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

Nonprofits received 44% of the money, colleges and universities 25% and state and local governments 21%.

By state

1 state has a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards. It is District of Columbia.

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