FY2025 - Historic Preservation Fund- Annual State Historic Preservation Office Grants

The National Park Service, under the U.S. Department of the Interior, has released the Fiscal Year 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Historic Preservation Fund’s Annual State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Grants. Identified under funding opportunity number P25AS00488 and Assistance Listing 15.904, this program is a long-standing mechanism to support the operation of State Historic Preservation Offices. It ensures that states and territories can effectively carry out their responsibilities under the National Historic Preservation Act (54 USC 3001 et seq.), which serves as the guiding legislative authority for this funding program. Through this initiative, states and designated entities receive financial resources to protect and promote historic properties that define the cultural and historical heritage of the United States. The program provides matching grants to states for a wide range of preservation activities. Allowable uses of funds include surveying, planning, technical assistance, and direct physical preservation of historic resources. Grants may also be applied toward compliance reviews of federal undertakings, tax incentives for historic preservation, and the preparation of nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. Additionally, a portion of funding is distributed to Certified Local Governments, which are required to receive a minimum of 10% of these grant allocations. Special encouragement is given to projects connected to America’s 250th anniversary (America250), emphasizing preservation planning, interpretation, public engagement, and rehabilitation efforts linked to the nation’s founding and history. Eligibility for this opportunity is narrowly defined by the National Historic Preservation Act. State governments across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, five U.S. territories, and three Freely Associated States are eligible. A unique eligibility allowance exists for the Ohio History Connection, the nonprofit designated as the official SHPO for Ohio. Insular areas and some territories are exempt from the otherwise required cost match, while most recipients must provide a minimum 40% cost share through non-federal sources, which can be in the form of cash, in-kind services, or materials. This cost match ensures that preservation work has both federal and local investment. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. To do so, applicants must first complete registration in SAM.gov to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier, which can take several months. Grants.gov Workspace is the designated submission portal, where applicants are expected to complete and upload all required forms and documents. Mandatory components include the SF-424 application form, appropriate budget forms (SF-424A for non-construction or SF-424C for construction), lobbying disclosure if applicable, project abstract summaries, project narrative, budget narrative, organizational chart, and certifications for qualified staff and review boards. Applications must also comply with specific executive and secretary’s orders and include disclosure of potential conflicts of interest or overlaps with other federal awards. The deadline for submission is August 29, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The program anticipates funding approximately 59 awards, with an estimated total program funding of $62,150,000. Individual awards range from $10,000 to $2,200,000. Notices of award will be issued electronically through GrantSolutions, and pre-award costs are allowable back to October 1, 2024. The anticipated project start date is September 1, 2025, with an end date of September 30, 2027. Awardees will be expected to submit regular financial and performance reports, disclose any conflicts of interest, and comply with reporting obligations under federal transparency laws. Applications are reviewed for eligibility and alignment with program goals, but these awards are formula-based rather than competitive. Reviews focus on ensuring budgets are reasonable, cost sharing requirements are met, and proposals are consistent with statutory and administrative requirements. Risk assessments will also be performed to evaluate applicant capacity and compliance history. Questions about the program must be directed to the official contact at STLPG@nps.gov. This NOFO represents the federal government’s commitment to preserving historic resources across the United States, ensuring that cultural and historic assets are identified, protected, and shared with future generations.

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