Society of American Archivists Foundation: Catalyst Grant

Society of American Archivists Foundation: Catalyst Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Society of American Archivists
Amount: US $500 - US $5,000
Last Updated: January 20, 2026

Summary

The Society of American Archivists Foundation Catalyst Grant provides funding ranging from $500 to $5,000 to support complex archival projects that advance the strategic goals of the SAA. This program prioritizes projects that foster best practices, such as processing and digitization of archives, and is open to non-profit archival repositories and individual archivists affiliated with member organizations. It aims to benefit the archival profession as a whole.

Overview

Overview A Catalyst Grant can support Complex projects developed over long periods, such as the processing, cataloging, and digitization of archives, if the project(s) may serve as a model for the archival profession at large and help develop best practices. Development of guidelines and best practices that will be useful for the archival profession or for preliminary studies intended to advance them. Funding Awards will be between $500 and $5,000, with no match required.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Non-profit archival repositories that have stewardship over collections that are open to the public and are located within the United StatesRepositories located outside of the United States may apply if they hold SAA Institutional membership.Archivists who reside within the United States and are affiliated with non-profit archival repositories that have stewardship over collections that are open to the publicArchivists outside of the United States who are associated with non-profit archival repositories may apply if they hold Individual SAA membership.Non-profit organizations of archivists based in the United StatesApplicants who have previously received SAA Foundation funding must have submitted a final report for their last project before applying for a Catalyst Grant.See eligible expenses here.

Ineligibility

Projects requesting assistance with emergency preparedness or recovery efforts from major disasters are not eligible for Catalyst Grants. The National Disaster Recovery Fund for Archives exists to support such projects. Financial support to attend the SAA Annual Meeting is not eligible for Catalyst Grants. The Annual Meeting Awards Fund exists to support such requests.Ineligible ExpensesOverhead or indirect costFellowships, scholarships, or prizesLobbying and fundraising activitiesExpenses incurred before the grant was awardedFood or beverages, except as necessary expense based on per diem guidelines when staff or project members are traveling for the grant-funded project.