The intent of this Request for Assistance is to solicit project proposals for the Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund monies associated with Hurricanes Michael and Florence. The Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund (ESHPF) Grant Program provides assistance to historic properties, areas, and sites damaged by hurricanes Florence and/or Michael in September and October 2018. Funding is limited the 52 counties and cities in Virginia identified in FEMA Major Declarations 4401 and 4411.
Survey and planning projects administered by DHR and funded by the ESHPF program encompass a broad range of architectural and archaeological survey and planning activities. These projects aim to protect threatened or damaged historic resources through identification, documentation, evaluation, and disaster mitigation activities consistent with the responsible stewardship of historic resources.
DHR will select and administer ESHPF survey and planning projects under the supervision of the NPS with adherence to the HPF Grants Manual. All project selected by DHR must be approved by the NPS before any work can begin.
Eligible Applicants: Any local government, tribal government, planning district commission, or nonprofit organization in the 52 counties and cities in Virginia identified in FEMA Major Declarations 4401 and 4411 is eligible to apply (see list below). Eligible entities may collaborate to submit an application and may submit joint applications that incorporate the participation of state agencies other than DHR, or that involve more than one local government. One principal local contact must be designated for each application submitted.
Applicant Contribution: Selected projects will be fully funded by the ESHPF Grant Program. The applicant will assume responsibility for notifying local residents and property owners about the project and arranging any necessary community meetings for the project.
Eligible Activities and Project Priorities: Eligible projects encompass survey and planning activities and the protection of historic resources through identification, documentation, evaluation, National Register of Historic Places nominations or nomination updates, and preservation planning activities consistent with the responsible stewardship of historic resources.
Application Process: DHR has implemented a new online grant management system called WebGrants for all its grant programs. WebGrants enables DHR to more efficiently publish grant opportunities and administer projects. You will need to register in WebGrants to apply for this grant opportunity. Applications are due by 5:00 pm ET on November 7th, 2025.
Review and Selection Process: DHR will evaluate applications based on the questions outlined below. Each applicant is required to provide a project description that identifies how the proposed work meets scoring criteria. The following questions will be scored on a 5-point scale:
Project Management: DHR will assume responsibility for procurement and contract administration and will ensure that project documentation is completed to state or federal requirements. DHR will be responsible for procuring the services of qualified professionals who meet the standards for professional qualifications as specified by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior (The Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards).
Project Timetable: All projects must be complete by March 2027.
Counties:
A Amelia and Appomattox
B Botetourt and Brunswick
C Campbell, Charles City, Charlotte, Chesterfield, Craig, and Cumberland
D Dinwiddie
E Essex
F Floyd, Fluvanna, and Franklin
G Grayson
H Halifax and Henry
I Isle of Wight
J James City
K King and Queen, and King William
L Lancaster and Lunenburg
M Mathews, Mecklenburg, Middlesex, and Montgomery
N Nelson, New Kent, Northampton, Northumberland, and Nottoway
P Patrick, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Pulaski
R Rappahannock, Richmond, Roanoke, and Russell
W Westmoreland
Independent Cities:
Bristol
Danville
Franklin
Galax
Hampton
Martinsville
Newport News
Richmond
Williamsburg
