To preserve and interpret Alaska’s rich maritime heritage, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the State Libraries, Archives, and Museums (LAM), announces the launch of the Alaska Maritime Heritage Preservation Program, funded by the National Park Service, and administered by SHPO. This program is designed to protect Alaska’s maritime resources and advance public awareness of Alaska’s Nationally significant maritime properties, and resources, and advance public awareness of marine collections, traditional skills, and knowledge.

The Alaska Maritime Heritage Preservation Program will offer Alaskans two new grant opportunities for preservation and education projects.  Of the total $342,000 federal award, $15,000 will support in-house projects for the Alaska State Museum. The remaining $327,500 will be subgranted to support preservation and education projects statewide.

The new competitive, reimbursable, and matching (1:1 with non-federal dollars) grant program, will provide support, expertise, and resources to state governments, cultural and academic institutions, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, local governments, individuals and Tribes.

Application information:  The SHPO will accept applications from August 1, 2023 through October 31, 2023. Projects should be ready to commence by February 1, 2024 and be completed by June 30, 2025. Applicants for preservation grants can request from$10,000 to $50,000 and applicants for education grants range from $5,000 to a maximum of $50,000. SHPO anticipates $100,000 in available funds for preservation projects and $227,500 for education projects.

To learn more, contact State Historian Katie Ringsmuth at katie.ringsmuth@alaska.gov. Or you may visit the Office of History & Archaeology for detailed information on the Maritime Heritage Grant Program.