The History Field Trip Grant Program

The American Battlefield Trust strongly believes that battlefields are outdoor classrooms — truly unique locations for education, commemoration, and contemplation. The American Battlefield Trust's History Field Trip Grant Program provides funding and assistance to K-12 teachers, who are planning field trips to Civil War, War of 1812, or Revolutionary War battlefields or related historic sites.

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History Field Trip Grant Program FAQ

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More than 50,000 students and teachers served!

See all of the exciting sites our History Field Trip Grant Program has sent classrooms to around the country.

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How It Works:

1. Apply for funding by filling out a History Field Trip Grant Program Application Form prior to your field trip. (If you have any questions, be sure to check out our FAQ page.)
2. The American Battlefield Trust will review your application and respond to your field trip proposal.
3. Go on the field trip!  Keep your receipts and take lots of photos while on the field trip! When you come back, fill out a Field Trip Reimbursement Form. Email these materials to the American Battlefield Trust. Your reimbursement will arrive shortly thereafter.

Please Note: All reimbursement checks will be made payable to the school or school district, and will not be made payable to individuals, including teachers, teachers aides, parents, or guardians.

Apply to the History Field Trip Grant Program Today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Rules & Guidelines:

• The History Field Trip Grant Program is designed to bring K-12 classrooms to Civil War, Revolutionary War, and War of 1812 battlefields, museums, and related historic sites. The History Field Trip Grant Program is designed to maximize the impact of quality history education in and out of the classroom. We have found that our model functions most efficiently for classrooms with fifteen (15) or more students.
• The following items can be covered by the History Field Trip Grant Program: transportation, admission fees, and reasonable presenter/guide fees.
• The following items will NOT be covered by the History Field Trip Grant Program: non-Civil War, Revolutionary War, or War of 1812-related trips, luxury options, meals, overnight lodging, and souvenir purchases.
• With our current funding and number of applications, roughly half of the applications are approved. Approved trips can receive funding up to $3,000.
• The History Field Trip Grant Program is designed to help offset field trip costs for school districts, it is not designed to fully fund a field trip.   
• The History Field Trip Grant Program will only fund a field trip for one class, per school district, per school year. 
• Classrooms that received a grant in the 2023-2024 school year may not be eligible for a grant in the 2024-2025 school year. 
• You must apply for field trip funding at least one month before your trip. 
• Only applications from current/active K-12 educators or administrators will be accepted. 
• Only one application per school district per year may be submitted.
• All trips must be pre-approved by the American Battlefield Trust to receive funding. 
• Funding may be revoked by the American Battlefield Trust at any time for the following reason(s): post-approval trip date change, post-approval destination change(s), number of participants change, not providing receipts in a timely and efficient manner, falsified receipts, no trip receipts, excessive guide fees, class/teacher not fulfilling their required photo, press release, and thank you note requirements. 
• The History Field Trip Grant Program program requires you to submit at least seven (7) photos from your trip, a submission of a completed press release to your local newspaper (template will be provided), at least five (5) thank you notes from your students, and also requires the completion of an online exit survey by the applicant. Field trips will not be funded without such a commitment.  
• All payments will be dispersed after the completion of your field trip, and the educator's submission of all of the above requirements (FTF form, press release, photos, etc.), to our office, in good order. 
• All payments will be dispersed to the school or school district within 28 business days of submission to the American Battlefield Trust. 
• All checks will be made payable to the school or school district. In no case will payments be made to an individual educator, parent, or administrator. 
• Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.  

Our Decision-Making Process

Given that demand for History Field Trip Grant Program grants far outpaces our available resources, we are historically able to offer grants to only half of applicants. Thus, although decisions are made on a rolling basis, we evaluate applications using the following criteria to maximize the program's impact for approvals and funding is impacted by the following criteria and others: 

• School's financial needs. 
• School's geographic location.
• The number of students and chaperones participating in said field trip. 
• The thoroughness of the application packet.
• The number of prior field trips the American Battlefield Trust has funded for your school. Classrooms that received a grant in the 2023-2024 school year may not be eligible for a grant in the 2024-2025 school year. 
• The frequency of other approved field trips to a specific battlefield, museum, and other historic site destinations. 
• The certitude of teacher's plans. 
• Demonstrable positive impact on your students.
• Battlefield-centric experiences.
• Field trip destination(s).
• Planned activities while on your field trip.  
• Availability of History Field Trip Grant Program funds. 
• Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information. 
• Email us fieldtripfund@battlefields.org. 

Apply Now for Funding!

Frequently Asked Questions