2025-2026 Conservation/Preservation Discretionary Grant Program

Announcement of Funding Opportunity

The NYS Discretionary Grant Program for the Conservation and Preservation of Library Research Materials

Legislative Authority

Education Law §273(6)(c) in 1984, expanded in 1986 and revised in part O, Chapter 57 of the Laws of 2005.           

Purpose of Grant

To encourage the proper care and accessibility of research materials in the State, to promote the use and development of guidelines and standards for conservation/preservation work, and to support the growth of local and cooperative preservation programs. To provide modest financial support for projects that contribute to the preservation of significant research materials in libraries, archives, historical societies, and other agencies within the State of New York, whether by improving collection storage environments, reformatting or treating collections or other preservation activities described in these guidelines.

Project Period

July 1, 2025– June 30, 2026

Eligible Applicants

Agencies and libraries chartered by the Regents, not-for-profit libraries, archives, historical societies, and similar agencies within the State, and from consortia or cooperating groups of such agencies.  See page 1, Eligibility, for more details.

Funding

• Source: New York State Aid to Libraries
• Estimated Funds Available: $500,000
• Estimated Size of Awards: Minimum grant award is $2,500; maximum grant award is $45,000
• Awards will be made subject to appropriation and availability of funds.
• Match Requirement: No financial match is required. See page 29 for Institutional Contribution of staff time requirements.

Application Due Date

Applications must be received through our Online Grant Application System by: 5:00pm March 31st, 2025

Questions and Answers

• Questions will be accepted at preservation@nysed.gov until January 27th , 2025.
• Applicants are instructed to check the Q&A page at CP Grant FAQ’s frequently during the application period.
• Answers will be posted by January 31st, 2025.

Prequalification Requirement

Proposals received from nonprofit applicants that are not Prequalified in the Statewide Financial System (SFS) by 5:00 PM on the proposal due date of 03/31/2025 cannot be evaluated. Such proposals will be disqualified from further consideration. Please see the “Prequalification Requirement” section for additional information.

Non-Mandatory Notice of Intent

The Notice of Intent (NOI) is not a requirement for submitting a complete application by the application date; however, NYSED strongly encourages all prospective applicants to submit an NOI to ensure a timely and thorough review and rating process. A non-profit applicant’s NOI will also help to facilitate timely review of their prequalification materials. Such notice should be submitted by January 27th, 2025, and be sent to preservation@nysed.gov.  The notice should include the legal name of the applicant and the name of the grant (2025/2026 Conservation/Preservation Discretionary Grant Program). Please also include your organization’s NYS Vendor ID.

M/WBE Requirement

All applicants applying for grants in excess of $25,000 are required to comply with NYSED’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) policy. See Appendix B.

Additional Information

Conservation Preservation Program webpage