Conservation Assessment Program (45.304)

Program

45.304 Conservation Assessment Program

Federal Agency

Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services

Authorization

Museum and Library Services Act, codified at 20 U.S.C. Section 9101 et seq.

Program Number

45.304

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To support the efforts of museums to conserve the nation's historic, scientific, and cultural heritage. The Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) is supported through a cooperative agreement between the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Heritage Preservation, Inc.

Types of Assistance

Direct Payments for Specified Use
(Cooperative Agreements).

Uses and Use Restrictions

CAP funds an overall assessment of the conditions of a museum's environment and collections to identify conservation needs and priorities.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

A museum located in the 50 states of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, The Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau, or the District of Columbia may apply for a grant under this Act. A public or private nonprofit organization, such as a municipality, college, or university which is responsible for the operation of a museum, if necessary, may apply on behalf of the museum. A museum operated by a department or agency of the Federal government is not eligible to apply. Under the IMLS definition, a museum is a public or private nonprofit institution which is organized on a permanent basis for essentially educational or aesthetic purposes and which, using a professional staff: (1) Owns or uses tangible objects, whether animate or inanimate; (2) cares for these objects; and (3) exhibits them to the general public on a regular basis. A museum must have at least one staff member, paid or unpaid, who devotes his or her time primarily to the acquisition, care or exhibition of objects. The definition makes clear that the term "museum" includes aquariums and zoological parks; botanical gardens and arboretums; nature centers; art, history, (including historic buildings and sites), natural history, children's, general and specialized museums, science and technology centers and planetariums.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Public and private nonprofit museums benefit.

Credentials/Documentation

Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions and other nonprofit organizations also applies.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

The standard application forms as furnished by Heritage Preservation, Inc. must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

To participate in CAP, a museum must contact Heritage Preservation, Inc., 1012 14th Street, N.W., Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20005. Telephone: (202) 233-0800. Fax: (202) 233-0807.

Award Procedure

Proposals for participation are reviewed by Heritage Preservation, Inc.

Deadlines

December 1.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Five months.

Appeals

Appeals may be made in writing to the director of Heritage Preservation, Inc.

Renewals

Not applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

45 CFR 1180. CAP is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. CAP museums share a percentage of the cost of the assessment.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

None.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Participants submit a final report to Heritage Preservation, Inc.

Audits

Audits not required for application.

Records

Grant and contract recipients will be required to maintain standard financial statements.

Program Accomplishments

In FY 08, 101 museums participated in the program.

Financial Information

Account Identification

59-0300-0-1-503.

Obligations

(Grants) FY 07 $807,000; FY 08 $793,000; and FY 09 est $814,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

In FY 08, 101 museums participated in the program.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

See the IMLS Web site at www.imls.gov for the latest program data.

Related Programs

45.301, Museums for America; 45.302, Museum Assessment Program; 45.303, Conservation Project Support; 45.312, National Leadership Grants; 15.904, Historic Preservation Fund Grants-In-Aid; 15.914, National Register of Historic Places; 15.915, Technical Preservation Services.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M Street, N.W., Ninth Floor, Washington, DC 20036-5802. Contact: Christine Henry, Telephone: (202) 653-4674, E-mail: chenry@imls.gov.

Web Site Address

www.imls.gov; www.heritagepreservation.org/.

Examples of Funded Projects

CAP is appropriate for small to medium-sized museums. All types of museums, including historic houses, botanical gardens, anthropology museums, ethnic museums, and zoos are eligible to participate in CAP.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

To participate in CAP, a museum must contact Heritage Preservation, Inc., 1012 14th Street, N.W., Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20005. Telephone: (202) 233-0800. Fax: (202) 233-0807.