Niels Bohr Library & Archives Grants to Archives
AIP Grants to Archives: application deadline is October 27 each year
The AIP Grants to Archives program assists archives to undertake significant projects to significantly improve online public discovery and use of historical records collections in the history of the physical sciences with the goal of furthering historical understanding of science and the science community.
Funding
The maximum grant amount is $10,000 USD. Grant funds cover direct expenses connected with preserving, inventorying, arranging, describing, and digitizing collections.
Expenses may include archival storage materials and staff salary/benefits but not overhead or other indirect costs.
Institutions that receive grants are not eligible to apply the following year but may reapply in later years. The program is offered annually as funds permit.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain additional funds for the project, either from their parent institution or from outside sources such as local and state funding sources, national foundations, and government agencies. While no specific amount of matching money is required, we will give first priority to applications that include such new funds.
Criteria
Eligibility is limited to archival projects in the history of the physical sciences. Archival repositories in the U.S. and abroad may apply, including archives at universities, corporations, historical societies, government laboratories, etc. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Work not covered by this program includes conducting oral histories, book cataloging, and projects focusing on preservation of scientific data.
Review
The grants program is competitive. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of historians and archivists, and applicants will be notified of the committee's decision within three months of the application deadline. In some cases, applications may be sent to additional reviewers for comment.
Application Information
The deadline for receipt of applications is 27 October 2025.
To apply, send the following materials by mail, fax, or email:
- Application letter (3 pages, max): The letter should clearly state the historical, research, or educational significance of the materials and their nature (include current physical condition, if relevant, and volume in terms of linear feet or meters or other standard archival measure).
- Plan of work: The plan of work should succinctly describe specific goals, the products that will be created, the procedures used, and the time schedule. In general, procedures should reflect current archival standards. Successful applicants will be requested to provide copies of products of the grant project (for example, links to finding aids created).
- Budget: The budget will outline the specific use of the grant funds and should also clearly identify if any additional funds (either currently available or anticipated) will be used for the project.
- Staff vitae: 2 page maximum for each project team member.
- Supplementary information: Please limit supplements to items that are directly relevant to the proposed project, including a preliminary inventory, condition assessment or condition report, vendor quotes for proposed work, links to similar work completed, etc.
To apply, send the following materials by mail, fax, or email:
Melanie Mueller, Director
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
mmueller@aip.org
Sample application: available here .
