Basic Preservation Grants

The Basic Preservation Grants offered by the National Film Preservation Foundation (NFPF) are a critical funding opportunity aimed at preserving culturally and historically significant film materials. These grants support nonprofit and public institutions in the United States that maintain film collections and ensure public access. The NFPF, established by the U.S. Congress to preserve America's film heritage, provides this grant to bolster the efforts of archives, libraries, museums, and other institutions in saving orphan films—films not protected by commercial interests and often neglected despite their cultural value. The Basic Preservation Grant is supported by federal funding and targets films made in the United States or by American citizens abroad. It specifically excludes television or video materials originally funded by broadcast or cable networks. Applicants may receive awards ranging from $1,000 to $20,000. The grant supports only new laboratory work conducted after the award start date. Eligible preservation activities include the creation of new film preservation elements, public access copies (including at least one film print), closed captioning for sound films, and audio description for public exhibition. Digital workflows must meet a minimum standard of a 4K scan output to an uncompressed file, with lower-resolution mp4 files accepted for public access. Importantly, funds cannot be used for staffing, operational expenses, or shipping, except in cases involving nitrate film. Eligibility is restricted to public institutions and 501(c)(3) nonprofits that offer public access to their collections. These may include federal, state, or local government entities. The grants are designed to support institutions with unique or rare film copies, and applicants must demonstrate the historical significance of the materials, confirm their originality, and ensure that the preservation work is not duplicative. Application materials should include a detailed proposal (4–6 pages) with a laboratory cost estimate, as well as supplementary media like digital stills or video samples of the project. Additional documentation, such as proof of tax-exempt status or government affiliation, must also be submitted. Applicants must first register with the NFPF by emailing their intent to apply by March 20, 2026. After approval to proceed, full applications must be submitted by April 24, 2026. Proposals will be reviewed by NFPF staff and external reviewers, and funding decisions will be announced in July 2026. The grant performance period extends from July 2026 to September 2027, and recipients are required to sign a grant agreement affirming their responsibilities. The NFPF also requests that applicants be prepared to supply additional funds if project costs exceed the award amount. Beyond preservation, applicants must detail plans for making the restored film materials accessible to the public, including online streaming, public screenings, or lending for exhibition. Institutions must demonstrate the capacity to store preserved materials under appropriate archival conditions and show evidence of public service, such as educational programming or community engagement. Applications are submitted via email or hard copy, and the NFPF encourages inclusion of preservation and access strategies that align with its mission to expand the public’s access to America’s film heritage. This grant is recurring annually and continues to serve as a vital funding mechanism for institutions safeguarding vulnerable film assets. Given the specificity of eligibility and preservation criteria, applicants must carefully follow the outlined steps and ensure all required components are thoroughly addressed to be competitive.

Explain significance of materials and ensure originality to strengthen application; confirm no duplication of prior preservation work.