This program is open to institutions with humanities collections that are available to the public on a regularly scheduled basis located anywhere in the United States. Through funding from the NEH, CCAHA is able to offer a limited number of subsidized assessments for a total of just $500 each. 

A CCAHA preservation professional specifically trained in the digital assessment methodology will prepare the report in close consultation with assigned staff members at the cultural organization. The survey process will include an evaluation of the institution’s preservation needs related to digital collections: strategic goals for digital preservation; users and designated community; resources (staffing, training, and budget); policies related to digital collections (collection development, selection, copyright, disaster planning and continuity of operations, access and retrieval); processes and workflows (content creation for reformatted and born digital materials, metadata, and documentation); and technological resources (IT support, working with legacy media, data management tools, digital storage, and digital collections security). The final document will provide observations and recommendations.

Organizations will be encouraged to integrate key assessment recommendations into their overall strategic plans. Additionally, the assessments will provide a framework and justification for seeking funding to increase accessibility of collection items via digitization, to move systems toward optimal levels of standards and practices, and to address specific concerns.

Learn more here: https://ccaha.org/apply-digital-2021.