INDIANA – The Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology is now accepting grant applications for the fiscal year 2026 Historic Preservation Fund (HPF). Applications are only accepted through the State of Indiana’s Grant Management System website and must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 5.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the DHPA grant staff: Malia Vanaman at mvanaman@dnr.IN.gov or 317-232-1648 or Steve Kennedy at skennedy@dnr.IN.gov or 317-232-6981 to discuss potential projects and confirm eligibility of the applicant, activity, and property.
For questions or guidance on using the state’s grant management system, Euna Grants, support materials are available at: IN.gov/sba/grants/resources-for-subrecipients.
Eligible Activities:
Architectural & Historical: Projects include National Register nominations for eligible historic districts; public education programs and materials relating to preservation such as workshops, training events, publications, and brochures; feasibility studies, architectural and engineering plans, and specifications for the rehabilitation and/or adaptive reuse of National Register-listed properties; historic structure reports for National Register-listed properties; and historic context studies with National Register nominations for specific types of historic resources.
Archaeological: Projects include survey, testing, and research focused on specific geographic areas or cultural groups; National Register nominations for individual or multiple archaeological sites; and public education programs and materials relating to archaeology.
Acquisition & Development (rehabilitation): Projects focus on the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and acquisition of National Register-listed properties. This category is often referred to as “bricks and mortar money,” and is used to help save buildings and structures that are severely threatened or endangered. Note that properties not already listed in the National Register are not eligible to receive federal HPF funds.
Eligible Applicants include private, non-profit organizations with tax-exempt status (such as local historical societies or preservation organizations), educational institutions (such as public and private schools, colleges, and universities), and local governmental units (including city and county agencies and commissions funded by a consortium of local governments). For-profit businesses and private, commercial, or residential properties or applicants are not eligible for HPF grant assistance. Please note that applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number to participate in federal programs. These can be obtained at sam.gov/content/home.
Certified Local Governments (CLGs) and Third-Party Administrators: CLGs can be the sole project sponsor, or they can partner with another eligible local organization that they designate to be their “third-party administrator” to execute the project. In this case, the third-party entity will receive the grant award and carry out the project on behalf of the CLG. Applicants considering this arrangement should contact the DHPA grants staff to discuss the situation BEFORE applying.
Eligible Properties: Properties to be assisted with HPF funds must be listed in the National Register of Historic Places, either individually or as a “contributing resource” to a listed historic district at the time of application.
Project Begin/End Dates: The timeframe of the HPF subgrant schedule has been adjusted based on when federal funding is expected to become available. Projects should not anticipate a start date prior to Oct. 1 and must be completed by June 30, 2028.
Application Information:
On the State Budget Agency Grants Management webpage, click the tile for “State Agency Grant Opportunities” for open programs. Find “DNR-Historic Preservation” and select the appropriate HPF category solicitation. On the solicitation page, click the “Files” tab to obtain the two documents necessary for an HPF grant application.
1. State Form #50552, 50553, or 50554 (depending on the category). Download and save the fillable PDF. Complete ALL the forms in the packet and save the PDF. Applicants will be required to upload their completed forms to their online grant application.
2. FY26 HPF Instructions and Evaluation Criteria (specific to the category). Download the instructions packet and refer to it for guidance on components of the HPF application.
To begin the application, click the “Apply” button and follow the prompts. Please read all HPF application instructions carefully.
Grants awarded through this program are funded in part by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology.
