Checked 27 October 2026. Open preliminary application.
UCLA’s Modern Endangered Archives Program is inviting preliminary applications for its ninth funding round. The programme supports preservation and access for threatened modern collections, including material documenting underrepresented communities.
Opportunity at a glance
| Funder | UCLA Library Modern Endangered Archives Program |
| Geography | Collections outside the US, Canada, UK and EU |
| Funding | Varies by grant track; consult current guidelines |
| Timing | 16 November 2026 — preliminary application |
Who should consider this opportunity?
Collections must be held outside the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and European Union countries. Eligible leads include institution-affiliated researchers, archivists and leaders of nonprofit or community organisations holding relevant materials.
Application route and important conditions
A host institution administers the award. The focus is twentieth-century and newer material, preferably with a majority dating from the 1940s onward. Planning, project and regional tracks have different requirements; invited full applications are due 12 February 2027. Digitised outputs are intended for open access.
Read the official programme page and application instructions.
Africads preparation guidance
The following is practical editorial guidance, not additional donor eligibility criteria.
Begin by establishing what exists and what is at risk. Describe the collection’s extent, formats, condition and ownership. Distinguish immediate threats from a general desire to modernise an archive. If you cannot yet estimate the work reliably, assess whether a planning grant better matches your stage than a full digitisation project.
Confirm rights and permission to make materials accessible. Physical custody does not necessarily establish copyright or the right to publish sensitive records. Work with the holding community or repository to identify restrictions and potential harms. A strong project explains access responsibly rather than promising unrestricted release of everything.
Budget for the complete workflow. Cleaning, description, scanning, metadata, quality assurance, storage and transfer all take staff time. Test a sample before estimating throughput for thousands of items. Where materials are in multiple languages or obsolete formats, identify the required expertise early. Choose the track from the current guidance and avoid assuming that a headline amount from a different MEAP stream applies.
Five frequently asked questions
Can an independent researcher apply without an institution?
No. Individual applicants must be affiliated with an institution, and the award is administered through a host.
Does meeting the criteria guarantee support?
No. Eligibility is an initial screen; the funder still assesses fit, quality and available resources.
What should our team prepare first?
Confirm the applicant route, identify a responsible lead and assemble evidence for the proposed work before polishing the narrative.
Should we use a generic proposal template?
Use the donor’s current form and instructions. An internal template can organise your thinking, but it should not replace required questions or formats.
Where do we submit or request further guidance?
Start from the official programme page linked below. Africads publishes opportunity information and does not receive applications on the donor’s behalf.
Conclusion
Use the eligibility and application route above to decide whether UCLA Library Modern Endangered Archives Program belongs in your funding pipeline. Assign a named owner to the next step and resolve any missing requirements before committing substantial proposal time.
For an initial fit, evidence or budget check, explore the free Africads Grant Funding Toolkit. These resources support preparation; the donor’s current instructions and decision remain authoritative.
Sources
Programme information from UCLA Library Modern Endangered Archives Program · Additional eligibility or application guidance. Information checked on 27 October 2026; review updates before applying.
