The British Columbia History Digitization Program (BCHDP) is now accepting applications for project funding. The program, initiated by the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre in 2006, provides matching funds to support digitization projects that make unique British Columbia content freely available. Since its inception in 2006, the BCHDP has awarded more than $2 million of matching funds for more than 250 projects.
In 2023, the program awarded more than $160,000 for 18 projects. The wealth and diversity of unique British Columbia content to be digitized is impressive. The BCHDP will be accepting applications for the 2024/2025 funding year. Applicants can receive up to $15,000 of matching funds for their projects. Multi-year projects are accepted with each successive year going through the adjudication process.
Prospective applicants should be a registered charity or qualified donee listed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). If an applicant is not a registered charity or qualified donee, a community organization that is a qualified donee may be permitted to act as a financial intermediary. If you have further questions or concerns about this requirement, please contact the BCHDP Coordinator (bc.historydigitization@ubc.ca)
In the context of de-colonization and reconciliation, the BC History Digitization Program will consider applications from Indigenous organizations for projects that will not result in public access to the digitized material. IKBLC recognizes that open access is not always ethical or appropriate for Indigenous content. Indigenous applications will be evaluated according to the same criteria in all other aspects of the project applications but will not be required to provide public access to the digitized content.
Applications are due by Friday, December 8, 2023 @ 5:00 pm PST. Information about the application process as well as the guidelines and application form are available on the BCHDP website (https://ikblc.ubc.ca/initiatives/bcdigitinfo/bchdp-applicant-information/). It is highly recommended that applicants consult the Guidelines and Instructions as well as accessing the Application Form because both are updated annually based on feedback from applicants and the program adjudicators.
For more information about the program and to view past projects, please visit the BC History Digitization Program website (https://ikblc.ubc.ca/initiatives/bcdigitinfo/).