How to participate in local information heritage stewardship

The EMC Heritage Trust Project recognizes and supports digital stewardship of the world's information heritage in local communities. Using the same criteria for excellence that guide the EMC Information Heritage Initiative, EMC seeks people and projects that practice and inspire stewardship locally. The awards consist of cash grants from $5,000 to $15,000.

On March 18, 2008, EMC announced that seven organizations will receive EMC Heritage Trust Project awards totaling $100,000 to protect and improve access to information in communities around the world.

EMC received 325 applications from 34 countries since announcing the awards program in May 2007. Award recipients were selected based on the following criteria: potential size of the audience that would benefit from access to this information; the at-risk status of the information and why it is urgent to digitize it; and how beneficial the EMC grant would be to the project.

Supporting a range of projects

Examples of local efforts that the Heritage Trust Project supports include those that contribute to the digital curation and stewardship of:

• Significant private collections of music, letters, or art
• Archives and records of local cultural or educational institutions and businesses

Who is eligible for the program?

Any local organization or institution (public or private) or any individual actively engaged in stewardship of the world's information heritage may apply—or be nominated—for recognition and support.*

Application and nomination details

• The EMC Heritage Trust Project will begin accepting nominations for next year's awards on July 1, 2008.
• Download the 2009 application/nomination form and instructions.
• The deadline for applications/nominations is November 30, 2008.
• Awardees will be notified in May 2009.
• Contact us for more information on the EMC Information Heritage Trust Project.