Heritage research grants

Overview

The Heritage Preservation Partnership Program (HPPP) provides 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
  • municipalities
  • churches
  • schools and other educational institutions
  • First Nations
  • Metis Settlements

Ineligible applicants

The following applicants cannot apply for the grant:

• provincial government departments
• friends organizations associated with government owned or operated historic sites and interpretive centres

Eligible projects

The following are eligible projects:

• research on Alberta heritage topics
• oral history projects
• historic building surveys and inventories
• heritage management plans

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 that have already been funded by the Alberta government

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
• 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 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, 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.

• Guidelines for Heritage Awareness, Publication and Research Grants

Step 2. Contact the program coordinator for more information.

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 (PDF, 462 KB).

When preparing the budget, you may use the template for Cash Costs (XLS, 13 KB) and In-kind Cost (XLS, 13 KB).

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 Program
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 promote appreciation of Alberta’s heritage)
• experience or qualifications of the project proponents
• project budget
• funding history of applicant and/or related projects
• overall quality and completeness of the application
• project’s merits in comparison with other applications

Applicants are generally notified of the funding decision 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 outlined in the Funding Agreement (part of the application form) and the grant award letter.

Grant recipients have until February 28 of the following year to complete their project and submit reporting requirements. The report will include:

• Record of Project Expenses form (PDF, 154 KB) listing the cash expenses and donated labour, materials, services or equipment 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 Alberta government’s financial support is publicly acknowledged
  • Funding acknowledgement may be a statement on the project’s products (such as the resulting book), on print, online, through media outlets or event opportunities.

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]