Network to Freedom Grant Program

Each year, the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program, in partnership with the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, offers grant opportunities for projects focused on preserving and interpreting Underground Railroad history. The grant program aims to further the preservation, interpretation, and education of Underground Railroad history. Previous grants have supported building restoration, development of interpretive media, and additional research on sites already listed in the Network to Freedom. Current Network to Freedom members can apply for funding to support preservation and interpretation initiatives. Additionally, anyone may submit a proposal to research and prepare a nomination for new sites to join the Network.

Archaeologist explains site findings to visitors during the Cataract House Archaeological Project. The Cataract House dig site is of special interest because it is documented as a station on the Underground Railroad.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I apply for grants?

The Network to Freedom Program is currently accepting grant proposals. The application can be found here: ASALH PARTNERS | Apply (wpengine.com) 

Future funding opportunities will be posted to our website and distributed via our mailing list. To join our mailing list, email [e-mail].

Do you have to be a Network to Freedom Member in order to apply for grant funding?

Anyone can apply for a grant to develop a Network to Freedom historic site application.
Only current Network to Freedom members can apply for preservation and interpretation grants. 

What can I use the grant funding for?

The National Park Service supports projects that achieve the goals of preservation, interpretation, and education of Underground Railroad history. Specifically, the projects should support or enhance the Underground Railroad associations for which site, program, or facility was listed in the Network to Freedom. Examples of projects that support these objectives include but are not necessarily limited to:

• Markers or signs identifying the site as being in the Network to Freedom

• Interpretive markers, brochures, exhibits, websites;

• Historical research in support of interpretation or publications;

• Oral history and documenting oral traditions;

• Educational curricula and lesson plans;

• Cultural Resource surveys;

• Archeological surveys;

• Preservation and restoration of historic buildings, structures, landscapes;

• Projects to enhance accessibility of sites and programs (including installation of ramps or lifts)

• National Register documentation and nominations;

• Workshops and public educational programs;

• Technical assistance in associated site and/or landscape identification; and

• Preservation and stabilization of cultural artifacts, collections, and documents.
• Develop new Network to Freedom historic site applications

How are grant/project awardees determined?

A committee of reviewers, including National Park Service Network to Freedom regional program managers, other National Park Service staff, and non-National Park Service reviewers will rank applications and make funding recommendations. The following criteria will be used to rank project applications:

• Need for the Project

• Work Plan and Time Line for Project Completion

• Project Outcomes

• Project Budget

• Bonus: New Grant Recipients

• Bonus: Matching Funds

• Bonus: Projects that have a direct student engagement  or education component

Duration:

45 minutes, 1 second

This zoom recording features information about our 2024 grants as well as a question and answer portion.

Duration:

1 hour, 6 minutes, 48 seconds

Open House Webinar talking with past grant recipients about their successful projects and discuss the new 2023 grants. Although Network to Freedom staff cannot review the applications prior to the deadline, they answered questions about the application itself and the application process. The 2023 grant deadline is June 30, 2023. Please email [e-mail] with any questions.