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 $3 million of matching funds for more than 260 projects.
In 2025, the program awarded more than $150,000 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 2026-2027 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.
In an effort to bolster BCHDP’s commitment to building capacity and supporting community-based organizations1 in the preservation and digitization of unique British Columbia content, in this upcoming funding cycle, the program will be prioritizing applications that are led by community-based organizations or that demonstrate strong partnerships with community-based organizations.
Prospective applicants are no longer are required to be a registered charity or qualified donee listed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). If you have questions or concerns about this change 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.
NOTE: BC ELN partner libraries interested in applying for BCHDP grants can receive advice and support from the BC ELN office; contact digisupport@bceln.ca for more details.
Applications to be submitted via email to bc.historydigitization@ubc.ca by Monday, December 8, 2025 @ 9:00 AM 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/). Please use the current Guidelines and Instructions and Application Form because both are updated annually based on feedback from applicants and the program adjudicators.
If you have any questions or concerns about eligibility or any of the requirements, please contact the BCHDP Coordinator (bc.historydigitization@ubc.ca). 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/).