State Highway Administration Grants
Under the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA), the mission of the Maryland Scenic Byways Program is to enhance the quality of life and pride in local communities as well as the visitor appeal by identifying and promoting as well as encouraging the responsible management and preservation of the state's most scenic, cultural and historic roads and surrounding resources.
The Maryland Scenic Byways Grants Program funds the development of community-based corridor management plans (CMP), which make scenic byways eligible for additional grants, as well as a National Scenic Byway designation.
The SHA, on behalf of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), also sponsors the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The Recreational Trails Program provides funds to states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses. Examples of trail uses include hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, canoeing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving or using other offroad motorized vehicles.
This program matches federal funds with local funds or in-kind contributions to implement trail projects. Projects can be sponsored by a county or municipal government, a nonprofit organization, a community group or an individual. (Non-governmental agencies must secure an appropriate government agency as a co-sponsor).
Federal funds administered by the SHA are available for up to 80% of the project cost, matched by at least 20% funding from the project sponsor. Matching funds must be committed and documented. A memorandum of understanding outlining funding and project implementation responsibilities will be prepared by SHA and signed by all parties before the project funds are released.
Learn more about recreational trails.
The Maryland Scenic Byways Grants Program funds the development of community-based corridor management plans (CMP), which make scenic byways eligible for additional grants, as well as a National Scenic Byway designation.
The SHA, on behalf of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), also sponsors the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The Recreational Trails Program provides funds to states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses. Examples of trail uses include hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, canoeing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving or using other offroad motorized vehicles.
This program matches federal funds with local funds or in-kind contributions to implement trail projects. Projects can be sponsored by a county or municipal government, a nonprofit organization, a community group or an individual. (Non-governmental agencies must secure an appropriate government agency as a co-sponsor).
Federal funds administered by the SHA are available for up to 80% of the project cost, matched by at least 20% funding from the project sponsor. Matching funds must be committed and documented. A memorandum of understanding outlining funding and project implementation responsibilities will be prepared by SHA and signed by all parties before the project funds are released.
Learn more about recreational trails.
Miller History Fund
September 15, 2023: FY2024 guidelines and materials published
October 18, 2023: Virtual applicant workshop
November 10, 2023: Letters of Intent (LOIs) due
December 08, 2023: Full applications due
February 2024: Award announcements made
April 2024: FY2024 grant period beings for awardees
The overarching goal of the Miller History Fund is to build the long-term resiliency and
capacity of the stewards of Maryland’s historical collections. Successful projects will
demonstrate how grant funded activities lead to a stronger organization or heritage
community in the future.
Applicants are encouraged to secure outside expertise demonstrating a track record of
success in their proposed project areas. This may come in the form of organizational
partnerships or procurement of consultant services.
The Miller History Fund anticipates making 10-12 awards per year. The award maximum is
$20,000 and the award minimum is $10,000. No matching funds are required and this year
the provision of “bonus points” for including matching funds has been removed. The Miller
History Fund does not support existing staff salaries, though up to 25% of awarded funds
may be directed towards general indirect or staffing costs.
This is a non-capital grant program, meaning building maintenance and construction projects are ineligible. As this grant opportunity is supported by state funds, political lobbying expenses are also ineligible for funding. Only activities that take place during the grant award period may be charged to the grant.
Examples of Eligible Projects:
• New marketing initiatives.
• Strategic planning.
• Professional development for staff and volunteers.
• Collections stewardship or digitization projects.
• A campaign or fundraising feasibility study.
• Sustaining public programs or exhibitions that build new audiences.
• A new interpretive framework for a permanent exhibition.
Examples of Ineligible Projects:
• Capacity building projects for heritage organizations that do not steward historical collections as a primary aspect of their mission.
• Capital projects such as building maintenance; new construction, or historic preservation.
• Capital planning projects that are not directly related to collections storage facilities and care.
• General operating support requests.
Note that this is not an exhaustive list and the MCHC definition of capacity building is intentionally broad. Overall, please keep in mind the capacity building spirit of the grant program.
For more information and updates: https://www.mdhistory.org/about/miller-history-fund
October 18, 2023: Virtual applicant workshop
November 10, 2023: Letters of Intent (LOIs) due
December 08, 2023: Full applications due
February 2024: Award announcements made
April 2024: FY2024 grant period beings for awardees
The overarching goal of the Miller History Fund is to build the long-term resiliency and
capacity of the stewards of Maryland’s historical collections. Successful projects will
demonstrate how grant funded activities lead to a stronger organization or heritage
community in the future.
Applicants are encouraged to secure outside expertise demonstrating a track record of
success in their proposed project areas. This may come in the form of organizational
partnerships or procurement of consultant services.
The Miller History Fund anticipates making 10-12 awards per year. The award maximum is
$20,000 and the award minimum is $10,000. No matching funds are required and this year
the provision of “bonus points” for including matching funds has been removed. The Miller
History Fund does not support existing staff salaries, though up to 25% of awarded funds
may be directed towards general indirect or staffing costs.
This is a non-capital grant program, meaning building maintenance and construction projects are ineligible. As this grant opportunity is supported by state funds, political lobbying expenses are also ineligible for funding. Only activities that take place during the grant award period may be charged to the grant.
Examples of Eligible Projects:
• New marketing initiatives.
• Strategic planning.
• Professional development for staff and volunteers.
• Collections stewardship or digitization projects.
• A campaign or fundraising feasibility study.
• Sustaining public programs or exhibitions that build new audiences.
• A new interpretive framework for a permanent exhibition.
Examples of Ineligible Projects:
• Capacity building projects for heritage organizations that do not steward historical collections as a primary aspect of their mission.
• Capital projects such as building maintenance; new construction, or historic preservation.
• Capital planning projects that are not directly related to collections storage facilities and care.
• General operating support requests.
Note that this is not an exhaustive list and the MCHC definition of capacity building is intentionally broad. Overall, please keep in mind the capacity building spirit of the grant program.
For more information and updates: https://www.mdhistory.org/about/miller-history-fund
Preservation Assistance Grants
for Smaller Institutions
Maximum funding: $10,000
Application available (anticipated): October 9, 2024
Next deadline (anticipated): January 9, 2025
Expected notification date: August 31, 2025
Project start date: September 1, 2025 December 1, 2025
Funding for: Preservation assessments, planning, and supplies; Professional development on preservation & access topics.
More information: https://www.neh.gov/grants/preservation/preservation-assistance-grants-smaller-institutions
FAQ: https://www.neh.gov/sites/default/files/inline-files/PAG%202023%20FAQ.pdf
Preservation Assistance Grants help small and mid-sized cultural institutions improve their ability to preserve and care for their significant humanities collections through assessment, consultation, training and the purchase of supplies, furniture, and equipment. Projects may support the preservation of physical as well as digital humanities collections.
Applicants must draw on the knowledge of consultants whose preservation skills and experience are related to the types of collections and the nature of the activities on which their projects focus. When assessing the preservation needs of library, museum, or archival holdings, applicants should seek a consultant whose specialty is appropriate for the nature of their collections and who is knowledgeable about the preservation of collections in these types of institutions.
The program encourages applications from small and mid-sized institutions that have never received an NEH grant; community colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Tribal Colleges and Universities; and Native American tribes and Native Alaskan and Native Hawaiian organizations with significant humanities collections. Furthermore, organizations or collections that represent the contributions of under-represented communities are highly encouraged.
Encouragement for 2023:
· Applicants in federally declared disaster areas may apply for disaster relief supplies and activities, including conservation treatment and temporary storage and relocation.
New for 2023:
· Based on the results of a digital preservation assessment, you may request funding for digital storage media (e.g., external hard drives, RAID, NAS, and LTO systems).
Note: Planning for and implementing digitization, cataloging, and arrangement and description projects are NOT eligible activities. See the Humanities Collections and Reference Resources program.
For further questions and information: [email protected]
Application available (anticipated): October 9, 2024
Next deadline (anticipated): January 9, 2025
Expected notification date: August 31, 2025
Project start date: September 1, 2025 December 1, 2025
Funding for: Preservation assessments, planning, and supplies; Professional development on preservation & access topics.
More information: https://www.neh.gov/grants/preservation/preservation-assistance-grants-smaller-institutions
FAQ: https://www.neh.gov/sites/default/files/inline-files/PAG%202023%20FAQ.pdf
Preservation Assistance Grants help small and mid-sized cultural institutions improve their ability to preserve and care for their significant humanities collections through assessment, consultation, training and the purchase of supplies, furniture, and equipment. Projects may support the preservation of physical as well as digital humanities collections.
Applicants must draw on the knowledge of consultants whose preservation skills and experience are related to the types of collections and the nature of the activities on which their projects focus. When assessing the preservation needs of library, museum, or archival holdings, applicants should seek a consultant whose specialty is appropriate for the nature of their collections and who is knowledgeable about the preservation of collections in these types of institutions.
The program encourages applications from small and mid-sized institutions that have never received an NEH grant; community colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Tribal Colleges and Universities; and Native American tribes and Native Alaskan and Native Hawaiian organizations with significant humanities collections. Furthermore, organizations or collections that represent the contributions of under-represented communities are highly encouraged.
Encouragement for 2023:
· Applicants in federally declared disaster areas may apply for disaster relief supplies and activities, including conservation treatment and temporary storage and relocation.
New for 2023:
· Based on the results of a digital preservation assessment, you may request funding for digital storage media (e.g., external hard drives, RAID, NAS, and LTO systems).
Note: Planning for and implementing digitization, cataloging, and arrangement and description projects are NOT eligible activities. See the Humanities Collections and Reference Resources program.
For further questions and information: [email protected]
