Saskatchewan Council for Archives and Archivists Institutional Grant

The Saskatchewan Council for Archives and Archivists (SCAA) offers an Institutional Grant to support the development, preservation, and accessibility of archival collections across the province. This grant is a cornerstone of the Councils mission to strengthen archival practice, foster community engagement, and ensure that Saskatchewans documentary heritage remains vibrant for future generations.

Purpose of the Grant

The Institutional Grant is designed to:

• Assist archives, museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions in acquiring or conserving records of lasting value.
• Enable the creation of digital surrogates to improve public access.
• Support projects that develop innovative outreach or educational programming.
• Facilitate the implementation of bestpractice archival standards and policies.

Who Can Apply?

The grant is open to a broad range of Saskatchewanbased institutions, including:

• Community archives and historical societies
• Municipal, provincial, and federal government record centres
• University and college libraries with archival units
• Museums with archival holdings
• Indigenous organizations preserving cultural records

Applicants must be a registered notforprofit or public institution located in Saskatchewan and must demonstrate a commitment to preserving and providing access to archival material.

Funding Priorities

While all eligible applications are considered, the Council places particular emphasis on projects that address one or more of the following priorities:

• Underrepresented communities: Projects that document the histories of Mtis, First Nations, immigrant, or other marginalized groups.
• Digital access: Creation of online collections, digitisation of fragile records, or development of digital preservation strategies.
• Preservation at risk: Stabilisation of deteriorating collections, climatecontrolled storage solutions, or emergency response planning.
• Education and outreach: Programs that integrate archival material into schools, community workshops, or public exhibitions.

Grant Amounts

The SCAA Institutional Grant offers flexible funding ranging from $2,000 to $30,000 per project. The exact amount is determined based on the scope of work, number of staff involved, and the anticipated impact on the community.

Key Dates

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through the SCAAs Grant Management System. The process includes the following steps:

1. Register an account: Create a user profile on the portal.
2. Complete the application form: Provide organization details, project description, budget breakdown, and a timeline.
3. Attach supporting documents: Include a letter of support from your governing board, a project plan, and any relevant policies.
4. Submit: Review the information, confirm that all required fields are completed, and click Submit.

For detailed instructions and a downloadable PDF checklist, visit the SCAA Institutional Grant page.

Evaluation Criteria

All applications are assessed by a panel of archivists, historians, and community representatives. The panel uses the following criteria:

• Relevance to priorities: Alignment with the Councils identified funding priorities.
• Project feasibility: Realistic timeline, clear milestones, and achievable outcomes.
• Impact: Expected benefits for the institution and broader public.
• Capacity: Availability of staff expertise and infrastructure.
• Budget justification: Transparent and reasonable use of funds.

Reporting Requirements

Successful grantees must submit two reports:

• Midproject progress report (December2026): Summary of activities, any challenges, and a revised timeline if needed.
• Final report (October2027): Comprehensive overview, outcomes achieved, financial statement, and recommendations for future work.

All reports are uploaded to the same online portal used for the application.

Success Stories

Previous recipients have used the grant to achieve impressive results:

• Regina Public Library (2024) digitised over 12,000 newspaper photographs, making them searchable via a new online portal.
• St.Albert Heritage Society (2023) created an oralhistory collection of local Mtis elders, now accessible in both English and Cree.
• University of Saskatchewan Archives (2022) installed climatecontrolled storage and rescued 3,000 deteriorating photographs.

These projects demonstrate the grants ability to preserve material at risk while expanding public engagement.

Contact Information

For questions about eligibility, application guidelines, or the review process, please contact the SCAA Grants Office:

• Email: grants@saskarchives.ca
• Phone: (306) 5551234
• Mailing address: Saskatchewan Council for Archives and Archivists, 123 Heritage Way, Saskatoon, SKS7K3M2