The New Jersey Historical Commission is a state agency within the Department of State dedicated to the advancement of public knowledge and preservation of New Jersey history. All of its grant funding is provided by legislative appropriation. Its grant program includes a variety of different types of grants, as well as prizes and a free archival evaluation service called Caucus Archival Projects Evaluation Service or CAPES.  This booklet is for the GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT program. Organizations and individuals interested in PROJECTS/MINIGRANTS/PRIZES/CAPES should refer to that booklet.

ELIGIBILITY: Operating support grants are available only to organizations. There are general standards of eligibility as well as specific requirements for programs. See pp. 9-11 in this booklet for notes on eligibility.

DEADLINE:  All proposals must be in the Commission’s office by the deadline date.  The entire proposal must be submitted by the applicant by the deadline date; Commission staff will not assemble proposals. Applicants are encouraged to use delivery services (FedEx, UPS) or hand deliver them rather than use the U.S. Mail. No revisions of the grant package are permitted after submission, with the following exception: county cultural and heritage agencies must submit the entire package by the deadline, but are permitted to submit their freeholder resolutions and their freeholder-signed application forms later. Proposals submitted more than six weeks in advance of the deadline will not be accepted.

PURPOSE: General assistance to historical organizations, museums, historic sites, archives, libraries, and similar organizations with collections or programming relating to the history of New Jersey. 

The Commission is committed to providing this support so that these historical organizations can develop and improve their services. It makes every effort to support a wide and varied list of history organizations providing New Jerseyans with excellent services, but the Commission’s funds are limited. Full funding is rarely possible.

The Commission now operates a two-year operating support program. Successful applicants will receive a grant for FY 2010, and a commitment to fund for FY 2011. Unsuccessful applicants may not apply again until April 2011 for FY 2012 funding.

What’s New for FY 2010-FY 2011

The New Jersey Historical Commission is beginning a transition to electronic filing of grant applications and reports. For the FY 2010 grant round, applicants will be required to submit their Intent to Apply forms electronically by 4 p.m. on March 2, 2009. The forms and instructions for filing can be located at the Commission’s website, www.newjerseyhistory.org. All other portions of the application and reporting requirements must be submitted manually as in prior grant rounds. The Commission is introducing new requirements for grant reporting in the FY 2010 round. Grant recipients will be required to provide additional information on the outcomes of grant-funded work in relation to the Commission’s stated funding priorities. Specific instructions on reporting requirements will be provided in each grant contract. Grant recipients are advised to review these requirements carefully before beginning a funded project or activity.

The New Jersey Historical Commission offers a variety of different types of grants.  It also offers prizes and a free archival evaluation service called Caucus Archival Projects Evaluation Service or CAPES.  The booklet available above is for PROJECTS/MINIGRANTS/PRIZES/CAPES, and may be used for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011.

ELIGIBILITY:  Grants are available for both individuals and organizations. There are general standards of eligibility as well as specific requirements for programs. See pp. 8-11 in this booklet for notes on eligibility.

DEADLINES:  All proposals must be in the Commission’s office by the deadline date.  The entire proposal must be submitted by the applicant; Commission staff will not assemble proposals. Applicants are encouraged to use delivery services (FedEx, UPS) or hand deliver them rather than use the U.S. Mail. No revisions of the grant package are permitted after submission. Proposals submitted more than six weeks in advance of the deadline will not be accepted.

Grants

Projects:  Funding for expenses of specific projects relating to New Jersey history. Eligible categories include conservation of historical materials (manuscripts, books, costumes, historical visuals); editorial and publication projects; educational initiatives; exhibitions; media (films, radio, videotape, digital media); public programs; and research (including archaeological projects, fellowships, oral history, and National and New Jersey registers of historic places nominations).

Support for smaller projects of the type of activities listed under Projects. Applicants may request support for planning (long-term, strategic, interpretive) but they may not use minigrant funds for other types of operating support.

Deadline:  Reviewed four times per year. Submit proposals by July 15, October 15, January 15, and April 15

Funding level:  Up to $3,000

Notification:  Within seven weeks of review

Mildred Barry Garvin Prize:  $1,500 award to a New Jersey teacher, guidance counselor, or school librarian for outstanding teaching of black American history or related activity at any grade, K-12. A nomination form for this prize is included in the grant booklet.

The Richard P. McCormick Prize and the Alfred E. Driscoll Prize are offered in alternating years. The McCormick Prize is offered in odd years; the Driscoll Prize in even years. Nominations are due on March 15. Awards will be made in the fall of the same calendar year. Nomination forms for each of these awards are included in the grant booklet.

Alfred E. Driscoll Prize:  Award of $1,500 to an author of outstanding doctoral dissertation on any topic on New Jersey history.

Richard P. McCormick Prize:  Award of $1,500 to an author of outstanding scholarly work on New Jersey history.

Caucus Archival Projects Evaluation Service (CAPES)

Professional assessment by consultants of the New Jersey Caucus of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference of historical collections (paper items) held by New Jersey archives, libraries, historical societies, and other agencies.

            Deadline:          None, submit form when convenient

To Contact the current CAPES Coordinator: Elizabeth Shepard TEL: 973/744-0191

or email: capescoordinator@gmail.com