HBCU Preservation Catalyst Grant
to Support Faculty/Student Partnership Research
The Fitch Foundation will soon be launching a grant initiative to provide funding for historic preservation projects undertaken during summer by joint faculty-student teams from architecture or Historic Preservation programs offered by Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The dual purpose of the HBCU Preservation Catalyst Grant is to foster the development of strong preservation practitioners and educators at HBCUs, and to create learning and professional growth opportunities for students at HBCUs in the historic preservation field. In fall 2026, the Fitch Foundation will launch a grant application to support joint proposals from faculty-student pairs to pursue a summer 2027 research project that contributes to historic preservation, or exemplifies a preservation ethic in its research topic or approach. Any faculty member teaching within an HBCU architecture or historic preservation program is eligible to apply; the student partner must be enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program at an HBCU and show a demonstrated interest in historic preservation. The student is expected to participate in the project in a meaningful way as a research assistant or intern.
The Fitch Foundation recently completed a pilot partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to provide scholarship funding and mentorship to students at HBCUs with a demonstrated interest in preservation careers. Through this program, the Foundation awarded $5,000 scholarships and ongoing mentorship to seven students from Tuskegee University, Stillman College, Rust College, and Jackson State University, respectively. Several student scholars participated in a capstone learning and networking trip to New York City funded by the Foundation. The HBCU Preservation Catalyst Grant represents the Fitch Foundation’s continued commitment to expanding pathways for students and faculty working in the field of historic preservation at HBCUs and beyond.
Award: Up $15,000 total grant value; $10,000 toward summer faculty compensation and up to $5,000 as stipend for student work
Eligibility: Student/faculty pairs must be affiliated with one of the 7 NAAB-accredited architecture or preservation programs at HBCUs. Faculty should develop proposal with a student partner enrolled in either undergraduate or graduate degree program.
Selection Criteria: Preference to projects aligned with the ethos of historic preservation, including cultural heritage and materials conservation, and to students with demonstrated career objectives in preservation and other design-oriented fields. Successful projects must also meet the following criteria:
- The project will make a meaningful contribution to the academic and/or professional field of historic preservation;
- Realistic, feasible plan for project completion during the summer;
- Team will produce a report or article on the project within 6 months for submission to peer-reviewed journal, with student participation such as co-authorship or preparation of visuals or graphics;
- Ability for the project to advance the faculty member’s professional goals and the student’s professional development and career objectives.
Timeline and Process: Proposals will be accepted annually coinciding with the regular Fitch grant cycle, in which applications are accepted in the fall with a December deadline. The first grant cycle for the HBCU Preservation Catalyst Grant will launch in fall 2026 with selection announced in early spring 2027. One grant to a faculty/student pair is expected in the pilot year.
For more info on HBCU Preservation Catalyst Grant, please contact director@fitchfoundation.org.