Project Grants

For digitizing archival content or curating already-digital assets.

More Information

About Project Grants

Project Grants can be used to digitize archival content or curate already-digital assets. Grant funded projects should address the full lifecycle of digitization, including imaging, content description (metadata creation) and digital asset delivery.

New! These grants are funded for up to $70,000 and for up to two years of work.

Projects should be well organized before digitization begins. If you require substantial time to evaluate and survey the archival material, you should consider applying for a planning grant.

Digitization Project Resources

These guides provide detailed information for project planning, including recommended hardware and software and best practices to meet MEAP standards.

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Print Digitization

Guide to planning a print/image (flat object) digitization project.
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Audio Digitization

Guide to planning an audio digitization project.
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Video Digitization

Guide to planning a video digitization project.

Metadata Resources

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MEAP Metadata Template (Updated 2024)

All MEAP project metadata should be created using this template.
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MEAP Metadata Handbook (2024)

Guidelines and information about best practices for metadata in library and digital collections, plus details related to MEAP-funded projects hosted at the UCLA Library

Related Resources

These resources provide additional guidance related to digitization projects.

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IDEP Toolkit

This toolkit outlines standards, workflows, and best practices for digital preservation projects.
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WIPO Guide to Copyright and Intellectual Property

Some best practices for thinking about and securing rights and permissions.
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EAP Remote Capture

A guide for digitizing documentary heritage in challenging locations.

Featured Projects

Check out some of our recently completed project grants.

The Peruvian Peasant Confederation Archive: Rural and Indigenous Society, National Politics, and International Solidarity
Human Rights

Latin America and the Caribbean

Since 1947 the Confederación Campesina del Perú (CCP) has been active in defense of peasants and indigenous people. Their archive documents the organized efforts of rural and indigenous people in Peru during the 20th century, including the 1969…
Our History is Our Force: Protecting Haitian National Patrimony
Architecture

Latin America and the Caribbean

Digitizing architectural drawings, photographs and other materials from the Institut de Sauvegarde du Patrimoine National (ISPAN), Haiti. The project is led in partnership with FIU Libraries.
African Studies Ibadan Audiovisual and Arabic Manuscripts Archives
Media

Africa

A digitization project to preserve audio, video, and printed materials from the archive of the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ibadan (Nigeria).
Film Collection of the News Program "El Mundo al Dia" (Dominican Republic)
Media

Latin America and the Caribbean

The news program “El Mundo al Día” was aired on the first television station in the Dominican Republic from 1954-1996. During those years, El Mundo al Día broadcast daily to the nation, capturing and documenting significant events in the Dominican…

Ready to Apply?

Before applying, make sure that you have reviewed the MEAP Program Guidelines and that you have confirmed your project's eligibility. When you are ready to apply, you can begin your application on our online application portal. All applications must be submitted in English.

Get Started