BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana officials have opened the application period for the 2026-2027 Historic Preservation Fund Grant, offering funding to support preservation projects and digital access initiatives across the state.
Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office announced the program, which is funded through allocations from the National Park Service within the U.S. Department of the Interior. The grants support activities including surveys of historic resources, preservation training, National Register of Historic Places nominations and projects led by Certified Local Governments.
Grant awards typically range from $3,000 to $80,000. Recipients are required to provide matching funds, with a 60% grant share and a 40% local match. Funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis after expenses are incurred and documented.
The funding cycle will prioritize projects aligned with the Louisiana Statewide Plan 2026-2030, with a specific focus on expanding public access to digital preservation information. Eligible projects may include digitizing historical records and photographs, developing online content such as virtual tours and Story Maps, and creating or updating digital historic district guidelines.
Letters of Interest are encouraged but not required and will be accepted through April 29, 2026. The letters allow applicants to receive feedback on proposed projects but do not substitute for a full application.
Full applications will be available on the Division of Historic Preservation website starting at 10 a.m. on May 1, 2026, and must be submitted by 10 p.m. on May 31, 2026.
Applications will be reviewed in June, with award notifications expected in late August. Funding is contingent on annual appropriations from the National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund and the State General Fund.