Network to Freedom Grant Program

2023 Grant Applications Now Open

For information on the grants and applying, please visit:
ASALH PARTNERS | Apply

The National Park Service is announcing $500,000 in National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom (NTF) Grants to prospective Network to Freedom members. Current Network to Freedom Members may submit proposals for preservation and interperative projects. Anyone may submit a proposal to research and write a nomination for a site to become a Network to Freedom member.

This year, the NTF wants to encourage student engagement. Special preference will be given to projects that have a direct student engagement or education component. For example:

- Involving students in researching UGRR sites and writing NTF applications
- Involving students in developing exhibits, websites, videos, or other interpretive material
- Developing lesson plans, teacher materials, and curriculum materials
- Teacher workshops on how to teach UGRR history

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:

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.