Heritage research grants

Overview

The Heritage Preservation Partnership Programs (HPPP) provide matching grants and scholarship funds to support initiatives that preserve and interpret Alberta's heritage. HPPP has several funding streams.

For detailed information on research grants, read the updated Guidelines for Heritage Awareness, Publication and Research Grants.

Funding

Research grants provide matching grants of up $25,000.

Applicants are expected to contribute at least 50% of the total eligible project cost.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

The following applicants may apply for the grant:

• individuals that reside in Alberta or have a permanent Alberta address
• registered organizations in Alberta:
  • non-profit organizations
  • corporations
  • church organizations
  • schools and other educational institutions
• municipalities
• First Nations Metis Settlements

Ineligible applicants

The following applicants cannot apply for the grant:

• departments of the Government of Alberta
• Friends organizations associated historic sites and interpretive centres owned or operated by the Government of Alberta

Eligible projects

The following are eligible projects:

• research on Alberta heritage topics
• oral history projects
• historic building surveys and inventories
• heritage management plans
• organizational histories that extend beyond documenting the organization’s activities and records

Eligible expenses

Expenses that are directly associated with research activities are eligible for funding, such as:

• researching
• writing and editing of resulting manuscript, script or report
  • Writing/Editing must be directly linked to substantial new research. Applications involving only writing/editing are not eligible.
• researcher’s expenses for non-local travel (meals, mileage, accommodations)
• materials and supplies
• costs associated with cultural protocols such as gifting to Elders and knowledge keepers and organizing sharing circles

Ineligible projects

The following projects are not eligible:

• creation of digital archival materials, development of archiving finding aids or consolidation of archival materials from multiple repositories
• personal or family histories
  • Personal or family histories are generally ineligible for funding, unless the histories have broad relevance and substantially enrich our understanding of key themes in Alberta’s past or detail the experiences of individuals or communities poorly represented in the historical record.
• projects and applicants eligible to receive support from the Provincial Heritage Organizations funded by the Alberta government, as follows:
  • Alberta Museums Association
  • Archives Society of Alberta
  • Historical Society of Alberta
  • Alberta Genealogical Society
  • Archaeological Society of Alberta
  • Francophone Historical Society
• projects seeking debt reduction such as repayment of loans or shortfall on completed projects
• projects already funded by the Government of Alberta

Ineligible expenses and tasks

The following are not eligible:

• expenses already incurred or tasks already completed at the time the application was submitted
• donated materials, labour or services associated with ineligible tasks or items
• purchase of books, purchase of equipment such as cameras, computers and related hardware
• fundraising, administration, grant application preparation, attending meetings, project planning, advising, managing, supervising, financial reporting and similar activities
• expenses that are not directly and solely for the project such as the cost of utilities (such as telephone, internet, cell phone); and the use of office equipment and office space
• expenses associated with volunteer appreciation such as gifts, thank you cards (honoraria, gifts, meals to Elders and knowledge keepers are eligible)
• hosting expenses (food and beverages)
• subsistence costs and living expenses
• salary or wages of staff or employees when time spent on the project is already covered by their salary
• contingency costs

How to apply

Step 1. Review the guidelines and application form for more detailed information.

• Guidelines for Heritage Awareness, Publication and Research Grants
• Heritage Awareness, Publication and Research Grant Application Form

Step 2. Contact the program coordinator for clarification.

Email the Program Coordinator at [email protected] or call 780-431-2305.

Step 3. Complete the application form and gather supporting documents.

Fill out a paper or PDF copy the Heritage Awareness, Publication and Research Grant Application Form.

When preparing the budget, you may use the template for Cash Costs and In-kind Cost.

The application must include the following:

• research plan
• project budget
• quotes or estimates of major cash costs
• other supporting documents listed in the application form

Incomplete applications or applications which are insufficiently defined to allow for robust evaluations of their merits, may be rejected. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Program Coordinator if unsure about completeness.

Step 4. Submit your application package.

Drop off, mail, send by courier, or email application to:

Heritage Preservation Partnership Programs
Old St. Stephen’s College Building
8820 112 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T6G 2P8
Email: [email protected]

Application deadline is the first working day of February.

After you apply

Grant applications are evaluated using a number of factors, including but not limited to:

• project approach and strategy (includes the ability of the project to preserve, interpret and/or promote appreciation of Alberta’s heritage)
• experience or qualifications of the project proponents
• project budget
• overall quality and completeness of the application
• funding history of applicant, including past project outcomes and compliance with reporting requirements
• project’s merits in comparison with other applications

Staff will evaluate the applications and provide funding recommendations to the Minister of Alberta Arts, Culture and Status of Women. The Minister will make the funding decisions. Applicants are generally notified of the funding decisions in May or June.

Grant payments

Successful applicants will receive the full amount of their grant upon initiation of their project.

Reporting and grant conditions

Grants are administered according to the terms and conditions included in the guidelines, application form and grant award letter.

Projects must be completed and reporting requirements submitted by February 28 of the year following the year of grant approval. The report will include:

• Record of Project Expenses form listing the cash expenses and in-kind donations for the entire project
• project outcomes
• proof of completion such as a copy of the resulting manuscript or report (as stated on grant approval letter)
• how the financial support was publicly acknowledged
• any additional requirement as stated in the grant approval letter

Resources

Heritage Note Series:

• How to develop a local heritage marker program
• Conducting historical research
• Oral history

Contact

Connect with the Program Coordinator:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)

Phone: 780-431-2305
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

Related

• Heritage programs and activities