Submissions for the 2026 Duda Preservation Awards will open June 9, 2025
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Introduction
The Michael C. Duda Preservation Awards ("the Awards") celebrate the contributions of Texas preservationists who have achieved the highest standards of excellence in the preservation of historic architecture, offering monetary awards up to $100,000 for use in an ongoing architectural preservation project.
Winning projects illustrate the spirit of service characterizing the legacy of architect and former Texas Historical Foundation Director Michael C. Duda by nurturing public engagement with Texas history and fostering appreciation for our shared built environment.
Eligibility
THE ORGANIZATION - The organization being nominated for the Award (“the Organization”) must be a 501(c)(3) organization, a political subdivision of Texas, or an agency or department of the State of Texas that has made significant or long-term contributions to preserving the architectural history and built environment of Texas through an ongoing preservation-related project.
Any person, organization, or political subdivision may nominate a 501(c)(3) organization, local government, or an agency of the State of Texas for the Award.
THE PRESERVATION PROJECT - The architectural preservation project (“the Project”) which is the subject of the nomination must have the following:
a. Achieved excellence in architectural preservation, rehabilitation, or restoration by following high standards for historic preservation, including but not limited to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
b. Added to the knowledge of Texas history through historical research, title research, archeological investigation, or interpretation of historical information. Examples may include, but are not limited to, the preparation of a National Register nomination, determination of the original design of missing architectural features, uncovering archeological evidence, or other information that reveals a property’s history.
c. Shown progress towards completion of the Project and have demonstrated excellence in historic preservation planning and/or execution. Examples of progress include preservation planning such as master plans, historic structures reports, historical research, architectural and engineering planning, as well as physical rehabilitation or restoration efforts. Proposed Projects must relate to the preservation of buildings and places that are at least 50 years old.
d. Gained at least one designation as a historic structure (National Register of Historic Places listing or equivalent Determination of Eligibility from the Texas Historical Commission, National Historic Landmark designation, Recorded State Historic Landmark designation, State Antiquities Landmark designation, World Heritage Site designation, designation as a historic landmark, district, or contributing structure to a historic district by municipal ordinance.)
e. Have a minimum proposed total project budget of $100,000.00.
General Requirements
Applicants understand and agree to the following requirements:
a. Applicants must complete the nomination application forms in their given format, provide all required supporting documentation for Phase I at the time of submission (2-4 high resolution photos depicting current condition; minimum 1 historic photo or illustration depicting historic integrity), and affirm their ability to produce all applicable Phase II supporting documents (recent audit or profit and loss statement; annual operating budget for current and preceding fiscal year; detailed Project budget; proof of property ownership; planning documents, structural reports, etc. referenced in their submissions) within 60 days of June 9, 2025.
b. The end recipient of Award funds must show organizational capacity and experience to complete the Preservation Project.
c. The property of the Preservation Project must be owned by the nominated organization. Long-term lease agreements will not qualify as ownership under the terms of this application. A property owned by a third party may be considered with the express approval of the Texas Historical Foundation if the owning party is also an eligible Award recipient (see “Eligibility – The Organization” above) and consents to participate as an application co-signer. For more information, see "Are there exceptions to the property ownership stipulation?" in FAQ section.
d. Award funds cannot be used to purchase property.
e. Award funds cannot be used to reconstruct a historic structure without complete documentation of the original historic building available at the time of submission. Any structure that is to be reconstructed must be documented by accurate historic information such as historic plans, specifications or historic photographs which will allow for accurate, nonconjectural, reconstruction.
f. The Preservation Project must comply with the mission of the Texas Historical Foundation (see THF Mission & History here.)
g. Scope of work proposed in the nomination to be carried out with Award funding is to be completed within a period of two years after the Award is given. A report documenting project work must be submitted within 90 days following completion. If the work is not completed within a year of receiving Award funds, Awardees must submit an Interim Report after twelve months describing work completed to date and a time frame for completion of the work. Completion and Interim Report forms will be made available on the Texas Historical Foundation website. Extensions of time (beyond two years) must be requested and approved by the Texas Historical Foundation.
h. Applicants agree not to contact Texas Historical Foundation staff, board members, or officers regarding their application from the time their application is submitted until they are notified by the THF staff that they have, or have not, been selected to submit a Phase II Application. If the applicant is notified that they have been selected to submit a Phase II Application, the applicant may contact Foundation staff with written questions regarding the completion of the Phase II Application. The applicant agrees not to contact the THF staff, board members, officers, or members of the jury about the application from the time the Phase II Application is submitted until the Awards have been presented.
Questions or comments prior to submission of an application should be directed to THF staff via email.
i. A non-refundable application fee of $75.00 will be required upon submission of completed Phase I Nominations, payable via credit or debit card online at the time of submission. Submissions posted without an application fee will not be considered. Phase I submissions will close at 11:59 p.m. CT on Friday, August 8, 2025.
Selection Process
Application materials and instructions can be found online texashistoricalfoundation.org/duda-award.html, along with due dates for submission and any announcements. To receive updates and announcements via email, sign up here. The selection process will be conducted in two phases:
PHASE I:
The first phase of the nomination process will involve the submission of information and documents describing the Organization, with a particular focus on its capacity, background, and track record of successes in architectural preservation, followed by a brief introduction to the Preservation Project. Phase I applications must be submitted in the Texas Historical Foundation Grants Portal. Applications via mail or email will not be accepted.
Phase I review will check to see that all sections of the form have been completed as applicable, verify eligibility, and review other information submitted. Phase I Nominations will be reviewed by the Texas Historical Foundation between August 8 and October 1, 2025. A group of internal reviewers will score the nominations based on the responses provided in the Phase I submission, using a point system denoted in the Phase I Nomination Form.
The highest scoring projects will be invited to submit a Phase II Nomination Form.
All applicants who submit nominations in Phase I will be notified of the outcome and thanked for their submissions by October 1, 2025. At that time, selected finalists will be invited to submit the Phase II Form. There are no fees required for Phase II submissions.
PHASE II:
The second phase of the selection process will concentrate on the Preservation Project to which Award funding would be applied, with a particular focus on the Organization’s proposal for the use of the award money.
Award funds must be used to continue the Preservation Project described in Phase I, including but not limited to planning costs, architectural and engineering fees, construction expenses and normal project management expenses. Funds should not be used to pay for normal administrative expenses. Completed Phase II Applications will be submitted via the Texas Historical Foundation Grants Portal using an application which Phase II participants will gain access to no later than October 3, 2025.
Winners will be selected from the group of Phase II finalists by the Duda Awards Jury, a group of respected and experienced historic preservation experts. The identity of the jury and selection of the winners will remain confidential until Awards are presented at the 2026 Michael C. Duda Preservation Awards Event in April 2026. The highest scoring Phase II proposal will receive $100,000 in funding to be applied to the nominated project. Second and Third Place proposals based on jurist scores will receive prizes of $30,000 and $20,000, respectively.
No match of funds is required to receive the Award, however the organization must have initiated the Project, which must have a projected budget of $100,000 or greater.
