Call for Applications
MEAP invites applications for its eighth cohort of projects to document, digitize, and make accessible collections at risk from environmental conditions, political uncertainty, inherently unsustainable media, inappropriate storage, or communal and social change. All materials created with MEAP funding will be published on the open access UCLA Digital Library.
A Global Program for Modern Cultural Heritage Preservation
The UCLA Library Modern Endangered Archives Program supports the preservation and discovery of at-risk archival collections that invite a more expansive understanding of the world we live in.
MEAP grants fund projects that document, digitize and make accessible cultural heritage materials from the 20th and 21st Centuries. We are committed to supporting projects that reflect community voices, cultural expression, and historical experiences that have been left out of national narratives and archives.
Application Details
- All MEAP applications must be submitted online. The online application portal will open on September 16 at https://meap.smapply.io/.
- Preliminary Applications are due November 17, 2025.
- Detailed Applications are due for invited applicants on February 20, 2026.
- Download the 2025-26 Call for Applications in Arabic(opens in a new tab), English(opens in a new tab), French(opens in a new tab), Indonesian(opens in a new tab), Portuguese(opens in a new tab), Spanish(opens in a new tab), Swahili(opens in a new tab).
Funding Available
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Regional Grants
Opportunity to expand on previous MEAP digitization. Create digital collections that include cultural heritage materials from three or more institutions, families, or archival repositories. - about
Project Grants
Funding for digitizing and documenting archival content or curating already-digital assets. - about
Planning Grants
Funding to evaluate and prepare materials for digitization.
Getting Started
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Project Eligibility
Not sure if your project is eligible? Check out project eligibility information here. - default
Program Guidelines
These guidelines define the scope and eligibility requirements for the MEAP grant program. - about
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be evaluated by an international panel of scholars using this criteria.
Application Resources
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Preliminary Application Template 2025-26 (Cohort 8)
Template for Application Planning Purposes. Applications are due November 17, 2025 via the MEAP online application portal. *Note that the Preliminary Application has been edited for 2025-26. - default
MEAP Preliminary Applicant Webinar Slides (October 2025)
Slides from Applicant Webinar, October 9, 2025. Includes eligibility details and notes about drafting a strong application. - default
MEAP Application Checklist (2025-26)
Need some guidance working through the MEAP Application Process? Download the 2025-26 Application Checklist. - default
MEAP Applicant Handbook 2025-26
The updated MEAP Applicant Handbook includes details about the MEAP application process and shares resources for drafting a strong application. - default
MEAP Digital Projects Guide (2025)
This guide details steps for planning, executing, and managing a digitization project for all MEAP grantees. - about
Applicant Resources
Explore available grants and resources for completing an application.
More Information
Learn More
Sign up for MEAP Webinars, Events, and Newsletter to learn more about the application process.
2025 Application Webinar: October 9, 2025 at 8am Pacific Time | Registration Required(opens in a new tab)
Past Events
Sign up for MEAP News(opens in a new tab), a monthly email newsletter with updates and details about the application process.