Inner Banner Bg

Historical Resource Development Program Grants (HRDP)

HRDP Grants

Iowa is a state rich in history. The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (IDCA) recognizes the importance of preserving and promoting that history through its Historical Resource Development Program (HRDP). The program provides financial assistance to nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and individuals who are dedicated to preserving and promoting Iowa’s historical resources. The deadline is May 1st, apply today and don’t miss out!

The HRDP offers grants in a few different categories: Preservation Projects, Museum Projects, and Documentary Collections. These grants can cover a wide range of activities such as historic research, preservation and restoration of buildings, and the development of educational programs related to Iowa history.

 

Digitization Projects

Our partners have used HRDP funds in the past to preserve their historical newspapers and other historically significant documents. HRDP grants for digitization are a great way to digitize your important history and provide your community with a portal to its past through a Community History Archive. Our archives are fully searchable and browseable, and the best part is there are no ongoing costs, they’re free and open to the public!

Over the years, we have had a great many partners apply and receive these grants, and we want to ensure you don’t miss out on this great opportunity. Deadlines are quickly approaching!

 

Museum Projects

The Museum Projects category offers funds for projects that involve the development of museum exhibits, educational programs, and other initiatives related to Iowa history. This may include the creation of new exhibits, the development of educational programs for schools and other organizations, and the preservation of historical artifacts. This category is designed to help organizations and individuals promote public awareness and understanding of Iowa’s history.

To be eligible for a grant through the HRDP, applicants must be a nonprofit organization, a government agency, or an individual. The project must be related to Iowa history, and applicants must demonstrate a clear plan for completing the project. Grant applications are reviewed by a committee of experts in the relevant field, and funding decisions are based on the merit of the project and its potential impact on Iowa history.

 

Example Projects Funded Through HRDP Grants:

Marion Public Library

Marion.HistoryArchives.Online

 

National Czech & Slovak Museum 

Ncsml.HistoryArchives.Online

 

Buena Vista University

BVU.HistoryArchives.Online

 

Other notable communities that have built archives using HRDP funds:

Garnavillo Historical Society, Correctionville Public Library, Central Community Historical Society, Ellsworth Historical Museum / City of Ellsworth, Mellinger Memorial Library (Morning Sun), Mount Pleasant Historic Preservation Commission, James Kennedy Public Library, Fonda Public Library, Clinton Public Library, Ida Grove Public Library, Le Mars Public Library, Van Buren Historical Society, West Bend Public Library, Mount Pleasant Public Library, Waverly Public Library, Upper Iowa University, Scott County Library System, Northwestern College, Cornell College, Ericson Public Library, Carroll County Genealogical Society, The Catholic Globe, Diocese of Sioux City, Perry Public Library, and Luther College & Winneshiek County Historical Society.

The Historical Resource Development Program is a valuable resource for organizations and individuals who are dedicated to preserving and promoting Iowa’s rich history. The program provides funding for a wide range of historic research, preservation, and education activities, and its impact can be felt throughout the state. If you want to learn more about the HRDP or apply for a grant, visit the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs website or this link: https://iowaculture.gov/about-us/about/grants/historical-resource-development-program. Do you have questions about HRDP grants? Schedule a time to talk with us!

Article Bg

Other News!

Check out our latest blogs posts and articles from this category!

April 22, 2025
This Week in History- April 21st – April 27th

Earth Day takes place every year on April 22nd, and has for decades been a day for people to get outside and help Mother Nature. Many communities will come together to plant trees or pick up trash alongside the highways to celebrate. One writer at The Times Record, published in Fort Smith, Arkansas, applauded the […]

April 21, 2025
When Access Is Limited, So Is Accountability

When Access Is Limited, So Is Accountability A Weekly Perspective Access and accountability are often bound together—when one is removed, the other fades with it. Lately, it feels like I’ve lost all sense of time. The pace of change has been so rapid, so unrelenting, that it’s difficult to process just how much damage has […]

April 15, 2025
This Week in History- April 14th – April 20th

On April 13th, 2002, in Bound Brook, New Jersey, hundreds of people gathered to re-enact the Revolutionary War battle that happened there decades ago. The Battle of Bound Brook took place on April 13th, 1777, where British forces used the element of surprise to attack the Continental Army. Now, in Bound Brook, New Jersey, residents […]

Get Started!