Kathleen Barker
TPS Program Director
Regina Holland
TPS Grant Specialist
Jessica Ellison
Executive Director
Clare Howard
Communications Coordinator
Teaching with primary sources (TPS) Great plains region
Encouraging the use of primary sources throughout the Great Plains
The Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Great Plains Region Program at the National Council for History Education is funded by the Library of Congress to further the Library’s mission to engage, inspire, and inform the American people with a universal and enduring source of knowledge and creativity.
The TPS Regional Program funds organizations to connect diverse audiences from across the country to Library of Congress resources. Collectively, grantees comprise the Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Consortium and serve as collaborators and co-creators connecting the resources of loc.gov and the American people. Ultimately, the TPS Consortium strives to increase the educational value of the Library’s collections for learners representing diverse communities, perspectives, and endeavors.
Grant
Funding
Available
Each year, members of the TPS Consortium support tens of thousands of learners to build knowledge, engagement and critical thinking skills with items from the Library’s collections.
TPS grants support the Library’s mission to engage, inspire, and inform Congress and the American people with a universal and enduring source of knowledge and creativity.
In addition, institutions can explore civics through the arts with the Lewis-Houghton Initiative. Learn more here.
If you are interested in applying for any of these opportunities offered through the TPS Great Plains Region, please follow the guidelines provided.
School districts, universities, cultural institutions, library systems, and other educational organizations may apply for 6-12 month grants for up to $25,000 that expand the body of innovative strategies, tools, and materials for meaningful teaching and learning with Library of Congress materials.
Educational organizations within Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming may apply.
Although the application window has closed for this granting cycle, if you are interested, please submit a Notice of Intent, and we will be in touch with feedback.
The new grant cycle will begin in the Fall of 2026.
Projects by State
Explore the projects created through the Teaching with Primary Sources Great Plains Region project.
Professional Development
Whether you are a primary source aficionado or a newcomer, the TPS Great Plains Region has a professional development event for you. Check out our free, online professional development courses, institutes, national and regional conference presentations, and at-your-desk webinars!
Great Plains Annual Conference
June 22-23, 2026
Heart Mountain
Powell, Wyoming
Registration will close on April 15, 2026.
Email us for more information, or register today!
Quarterly Great Plains Newsletter
Every quarter, the Great Plains team sends out a newsletter about updates to various projects, events, and more.
Previous Issues:
Great Plains Quarterly, Winter 2026
We invite you to engage with the content, share it with your colleagues, and contribute your own experiences and insights as we continue to advance inquiry-based teaching with primary sources.
Happenings in the Great Plains
Upcoming Events
0 events found.
Events
Project Materials
The Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Consortium Created Materials website showcases TPS projects and products that support a wide range of instructional approaches using Library of Congress collections. Access this site to explore organizations across the TPS Consortium and discover the varied resources they have developed.
Meet the Great Plains Staff
Regional Partners
Eastern Region
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Midwest Region
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin
Western Region
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington
Southern Region
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee
Great Plains Region
North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Oklahoma, Wyoming
Mid-Atlantic/
US Territories Region
Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands
