Applications are invited for the 2012 round of the National Cataloguing Grants Programme for Archives.

The programme aims to offer strategic collective support from a group of funders towards reducing the growing national backlog of uncatalogued archives. This backlog is a nationally-acknowledged problem, which limits the discoverability and use of archives.  The programme is open to public sector and charitable institutions which hold uncatalogued or poorly catalogued archives and are in need of external funding to catalogue significant collections.

The deadline for phase one applications is at 12 noon on 18 May 2012.

The National Cataloguing Grants Programme for Archives has been made possible by The National Archives, the Pilgrim Trust, the Foyle Foundation, the Wolfson Foundation, the Monument Trust, the J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust, the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, the Mercers Company Charitable Foundation and the Goldsmiths Company.

The programme operates a two-stage application process. This call is for applications at the preliminary stage in which applicants briefly explain the importance and complexity of the collection(s) proposed for cataloguing, and how they have prioritised this above other uncatalogued material. Those who progress to the second phase will then be invited to submit a more detailed application, including a full project plan and precise costs.

Previous rounds have been very heavily oversubscribed and potential applicants are advised to consider carefully whether their projects meet the assessment criteria. Priority is given to projects which:

• Relate to the archive collections of greatest historical or other significance
• Will trigger other desirable developments or projects
• Form part of a strategic approach to addressing cataloguing backlogs
• Are planned effectively and are clearly sustainable in the long term
• Demonstrate clear public benefit and value for money
• Demonstrate why the proposed cataloguing cannot be funded through other resources

For more guidance, the application form and a list of projects funded in 2011, please see http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/our-services/cataloguing-grants-programme.htm  If you have any enquiries about the scheme, please contact [log in to unmask] or 020 8392 5330 x2605.