Historic Preservation Fund Grant 2025-2026

The Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office (LA SHPO), part of the Office of Cultural Development, administers the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) Grants with federal funding from the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. This grant program supports preservation activities statewide that align with federal and state priorities. LA SHPO is comprised of the Division of Archaeology and the Division of Historic Preservation, with a mission to preserve and promote Louisiana’s cultural heritage, including historic places. The HPF Grant Program is designed to assist non-profits, educational institutions, governmental entities, historic district commissions, and Certified Local Governments (CLGs) in undertaking historic preservation activities. Eligible projects include the preparation of nominations for the National Register of Historic Places, completion or update of Louisiana Historic Resource Inventory (LHRI) survey forms, heritage documentation through NPS programs (HABS, HAER, HALS), preservation planning, educational and outreach activities, and development of digital preservation resources. Certified Local Government projects and training also qualify. The FY2025-26 grant cycle places a special emphasis on rural areas in Louisiana, giving highest priority to survey updates and nominations in rural communities, as defined by specific population criteria under RS 47:6019. Funding may not be used for oral histories, on-site signage or exhibits, certain archaeological activities, or projects not aligned with the goals of LA SHPO or the NPS HPF Grants Manual. All funded activities must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and be conducted under the supervision of qualified professionals. A 40% non-federal match is required for the 60% federal reimbursement-based funding. Only two applications per entity are allowed. Each proposal will be evaluated by a review panel on a 100-point scale based on alignment with grant priorities, planning, budget, personnel qualifications, impact, and public deliverables. The application must be submitted via the Submittable online platform by 10:00 p.m. CDT on May 30, 2025. Required documentation includes a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from SAM.gov, a federal tax ID, an IRS W-9 form, a LaGov vendor number, good standing verification with the LA Secretary of State, and if applicable, a completed Eligibility Questionnaire for National Register nominations. Applicants must also upload resumes for all personnel meeting professional qualification standards, and complete a budget worksheet detailing both federal and matching funds. Deliverables vary depending on the type of project and may include digital reports, LHRI forms, historic documentation packages, or National Register nomination drafts. All project work must occur within the grant period from October 1, 2025, to September 15, 2026. Applicants must comply with federal and state regulations including ADA, record retention, and procurement standards. Final deliverables become public property accessible through LA SHPO or the National Park Service. Contact information for the National Register Coordinator, Bailey Hall, is provided for assistance with eligibility documentation. The grant awards will be announced in July 2025 following the review process conducted in June 2025.