Notification of the Ancestry Grant Program 2023
(Canada)

During 2023, Ancestry is offering a series of grants to support the family history & archival community within Canada.  

• 2 x Gold Grants up to the value of $100,000 CAD for digitization services to be awarded within Canada to assist with digitization within the archival & family history community. Also included is five years of free Ancestry access. The individual grants have a maximum value of $100,000 CAD but can also cover works of any lesser amount up to that total figure. The grant will be for imaging of records only, meaning that the services provided are for scanning of paper or microform collections.
• 2 x Silver Grants up to the value of $25,000 CAD for digitization services to be awarded within Canada to assist with digitization within the archival & family history community. Also included is five years of free Ancestry access. The individual grants have a maximum value of $25,000 CAD but can also cover works of any lesser amount up to that total figure. The grant will be for imaging of records only, meaning that the services provided are for scanning of paper or microform collections.
• 1 x Bronze Grant up to the value of $15,000 CAD for digitization services to be awarded within Canada to assist with digitization within the archival & family history community. Also included is five years of free Ancestry access. The individual grant has a maximum value of $15,000 CAD but can also cover works of any lesser amount up to that total figure. The grant will be for imaging of records only, meaning that the services provided are for scanning of paper or microform collections. The Bronze Grant can also be used for philanthropic causes that may not align to typical family history digitization.

The grant submission period will begin on 3 July 2023, and your submissions are encouraged. The submission period will remain open until the end of August 2023.

Application Ancestry Digitization Grant Program 2023 (Canada) 12062023.docx

Contract Ancestry Digitization Grant Program 2023 (Canada) AC 12062023.docx

Please find some initial Q&A below:

Q: How do I apply?
A: For now, simply review the documentation and ensure you agree to the terms contained within. If so, please send an email to Jared Akenhead - jakenhead@ancestry.com - containing information on the collection / content you wish to see digitised – the more information the better but as a minimum:

• Collection Name(s)
• Date Range
• Record Count / Image Count
• Existing Format (i.e., paper, volumes, microfiche)

Q: If my submission is successful, does Ancestry take ownership of the records I’ve put forward?
A: No. Ownership of the original records and the intellectual property rights in them will remain with the organisation or entity providing the records. However, it’s important that you do have the necessary rights to share the records being submitted.

Q: Will I get a copy of the digital images created by Ancestry?
A: You will be provided with a digital preservation copy of all images taken from the original records.   

Q: Who will own the digital images?
A: Within this program, we seek to create an easy, rewarding opportunity for the archival community to achieve their digistation goals and therefore recognise that obtaining ownership of the digital assets forms an important part of those goals. The provider will receive ownership of the digital images.  

Q: What’s in it for Ancestry?
A: You will retain the ownership of the originals and the digital images. Ancestry simply asks that you agree to allow us to publish the images in perpetuity & that you will not share those digital images outside the organisation for a period of 5 years.

Q: What records will help me be successful in securing a grant?
A: Ancestry’s focus is Family History. Therefore, records that are relevant to that endeavour are the most appropriate for this program. Ideally rich on details at an individual level – the records would cover a collection of individuals in some aspect and will therefore include information such as, but not limited to;

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Date of Death
• Location
• Occupation
• Relations
• And so on...

Q: How do you select the successful applications?
A: Grant winners will be selected completely at the discretion of Ancestry – however, making sure the records fit the guide above will ensure you have the best possible chance for success.

Q: I’m from a small historical society – can I still apply?
A: Yes, you can apply for any of the grants.