Apply Now: The Harrison Goodall Grant for Innovative Historic Preservation

by | Jun 28, 2022

The Harrison Goodall Grant for Innovative Historic Preservation gives graduate students and enterprising professionals the opportunity to undertake a focused pursuit that makes a meaningful contribution to the field of historic preservation and support the stewardship of historic resources nationwide and at any level (e.g., federal agencies, state and county parks, non-profit history museums, etc.). The grant is a short-term opportunity to pursue a unique self-directed project under the guidance of a mentor. Recipients will receive recognition for a distinguished achievement while creating original preservation training content, performing research, or enhancing leadership and management skills.

In brief, the grant is meant to encourage and help accomplish something exceptional and innovative.

Often during the rigors of a preservation graduate program or while in professional employment, there aren’t opportunities to explore issues that can create a difference in the preservation field. The format of the program is flexible to encourage creativity and allow participants to continue to study, work, or engage in other activities.

THE GRANT AWARDS $10,000 TO SUPPORT AN INNOVATIVE PROJECT IN THE FIELD OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION.[1] THIS PROJECT MUST IMPACT MORE THAN JUST ONE HISTORIC PLACE; IT MUST HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE APPLIED ELSEWHERE AND IMPACT HOW WE DO PRESERVATION. IF YOU CAN IMPROVE THE WAY WE STEWARD OUR HISTORIC PLACES, WE WANT TO SEE YOUR IDEAS.

Inspired by a gift from Harrison Goodall and made possible by Preservation Maryland, this NPS partnership is meant to promote innovation in the field of historic preservation by allowing outstanding preservationists to develop and conduct independent projects. Recipients not only contribute to the field of preservation but also grow professionally as a result of their interaction with a preservation mentor.

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT OUR 2021 FELLOWS + PROJECTS

FAQ

WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS WILL YOU CONSIDER?  

Creativity and divergent thinking are encouraged for this self-directed pursuit. While we invite applicants from a wide range of fields, a project must demonstrate a tangible contribution to the field of historic preservation. If it’s a preservation innovation, we’ll consider it.  Example project categories include:

  • A preservation trade tool, material, or method
  • A technological development such as an app, program, or devise to document, diagnose or investigate historic properties
  • A web-based resource or toolkit to support community-based preservation efforts
  • A research methodology for documenting and understanding historic properties in a novel way
  • A pedagogical approach for teaching about historic places or a method for interpreting historic sites
  • A policy approach to solve a common but unsolved preservation issue
  • A housing policy or urban planning strategy that benefits historic buildings

Pursuits related to the preservation of vernacular architecture are encouraged.

WHO CAN APPLY?  

This opportunity is aimed at both emerging and seasoned preservation professionals and graduate students enrolled at least part-time in a preservation-related degree program (historic preservation, museum studies, history, archeology, urban planning, architecture, preservation trades, etc.). Applications will be accepted from federal and non-federal applicants.

HOW DO I APPLY?  

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Tell us about yourself, your idea, and how you would make it happen. Applications close July 29, 2022.

EXPECTATIONS

Grant recipients are given a year (August to August) to work with the committee and produce a final deliverable.  Grantee must present their progress quarterly and we welcome discussion with the committee so we can help support project development.   Upon completion of a final presentation and final project submission, grant recipients will be given the title of Harrison Goodall Preservation Fellow and receive their monetary award.  The fellow’s final project and presentation will be shared on the Preservation Maryland website.  Additionally, the committee expects fellows to have a plan to share their work with the broader preservation community.

The committee strongly believes that this is an opportunity to work with mentors or collaborators.  If you do not have a mentor or collaborators in mind, the committee’s expertise can serve that role.  If you do choose to work with a mentor or collaborator, the committee can offer an honorarium in exchange for their time.

[1] Refer to the Code of Federal Regulations 26 CFR § 1.117  for information about how the grant may affect your taxes.