Open Forum

The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) has recently opened the application for its 2020 Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives awards. The national competition, funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, supports digitizing collections of rare and unique content in collecting institutions.

Grants of between $50,000 and $250,000 for a single-institution project, or between $50,000 and $500,000 for a collaborative project, may be sought for projects beginning between January 1 and June 1, 2021.

The application process has two phases. The initial proposal round is open, and proposals are due by 11:59 pm Eastern time on March 31, 2020. The final proposal round is by invitation. Only those applicants whose initial proposals have been approved by the program's independent review panel will be able to submit a final proposal. Information for applicants, including a link to the online application form, is available at https://www.clir.org/hiddencollections/applicant-resources/.

We will be holding three webinars for prospective applicants:

• Applicant Informational Webinar: Tuesday, January 28, 2:00 pm Eastern - recording now posted online
• Q&A session: Thursday, February 13, 3:00 pm Eastern
• Q&A session: February 26, 3:00 pm Eastern

Registration is required in advance for all three events. All webinars are recorded and shared online to the program's Applicant Resources page. 

Also feel free to email us with questions at any time: hiddencollections@clir.org.

Thanks!