Conservation Assessment Program (45.304)
Program
45.304 Conservation Assessment Program
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF MUSEUM SERVICES, INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES, NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES
Authorization
Museum and Library Services Act of 1996, Title II, Public Law 104-208.
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; to maintain and expand museums and libraries educational roles; and to ease the financial burden borne by museums and libraries as a result of their increasing use by the public.
Types of Assistance
Direct Payments for Specified Use (Cooperative Agreements).
Uses and Use Restrictions
To make grants to museums for the Conservation Assessment Program (CAP). 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, 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 nonprofit museums 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 the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
To participate in the Conservation Assessment Program, a museum must contact Historic Preservation, Inc., at 1625 K Street, NW., Suite 700, Washington DC 20006. Telephone: (202) 635-1422. FAX: (202) 635-1435.
Award Procedure
Proposals are reviewed by Historic Preservation Inc., and IMLS to determine the assessments awarded by IMLS to eligible applicants.
Deadlines
Contact the Institute of Museum and Library Services for deadlines. Telephone: (202) 606-8539 or e-mail imlsinfo@imls.gov.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Appeals may be made in writing to the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Renewals
The IMLS may extend particular grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements at the discretion of the Director.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
45 CFR 1180. The Conservation Assessment Program 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
CAP grants are paid directly to the grantees.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Final reports are not currently required from Conservation Assessment Program grantees.
Audits
Audits not required for application.
Records
Grant and contract recipients will be required to maintain standard and financial statements.
Program Accomplishments
For fiscal year 2002, 137 awards were funded.
Financial Information
Account Identification
59-0300-0-1-503.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 00 $820,000; FY 01 est $820,000; and FY 02 est $820,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
For fiscal year 2002, CAP awards averaged $6,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Final regulations are codified in 45 CFR 1180.
Related Programs
45.301, Institute of Museum and Library Services; 45.302, Museum Assessment Program; 45.303, Conservation Project Support; 45.312, Institute of Museum and Library Services_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
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, Room 510, NW., Washington, DC 20506. Contacts: Noelle Giguere at (202) 606-8550, Public Affairs at (202) 606-8339, or imlsinfo@imls.gov. For general information visit www.imls.gov or call (202) 606-5226 for information on library programs and (202) 606-8539 for information on museum programs. The TTY number is (202) 606-8636.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Conservation Assessment Program grants to all museums, including historic houses, botanical gardens, anthropology museums, aviation history were awarded.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
The following criteria apply to the evaluation of all applications for Conservation Assessment Program: first come, first served to eligible museums.
