Collaborative Research
Program Description
1. How many participants must a project have to qualify for a Collaborative Research grant?
Collaborative Research projects must have at least two participants.
2. I am working on a research project, but I am the only participant. May I apply to the Collaborative Research program?
No. Collaborative Research grants support original research undertaken by a team of two or more scholars or research coordinated by an individual scholar that, because of its scope or complexity, requires additional staff and resources beyond the individual’s salary. If you are the only participant, you should apply to the Fellowships program. 3. May a Collaborative Research grant be used for an interdisciplinary project?
Interdisciplinary projects are allowed and even encouraged. Résumés of the participants should demonstrate pertinent expertise.
4. Our translation project used to receive NEH support from the Collaborative Research program. Should we apply to it or to the Scholarly Editions program?
The Collaborative Research program previously supported editions and translations, but editions and translations now have their own program. You must apply to the Scholarly Editions and Translations program if your project is an edition or a translation.
5. What is the difference between the Scholarly Editions and Translations program and the Collaborative Research program?
Collaborative Research supports a broad range of original research projects that significantly add to knowledge and understanding in the humanities, whereas Scholarly Editions and Translations supports only the preparation of authoritative and annotated editions of texts and documents, either in their original language or in translation, that are of value to humanities scholars and general readers.
6. Must all Collaborative Research projects have project Web sites? Must they disseminate their results electronically?
No. Although NEH encourages its grantees to have an online presence, projects without their own Web sites are eligible. Projects intending to disseminate their results only in print volumes are also eligible. For further guidance applicants should consult section IV of the guidelines on “ Final product and dissemination.”
Eligibility
7. I am not a U.S. citizen. Am I eligible to apply for a Collaborative Research grant?
Yes. You may apply as an individual if you will have been a resident of the U.S. for at least the three years immediately prior to the deadline. You may also apply through a sponsoring U.S. institution.
8. I am a U.S. citizen teaching at a foreign university. Am I eligible to apply for a Collaborative Research grant?
Yes. You may apply either as an individual, or you may apply through a sponsoring U.S. institution.
9. I am a U.S. citizen collaborating with someone from another country. May I include this person on the project budget?
Yes. Collaborators may be from other countries, and such collaborators may be included in the project budget.
10. I am a graduate student completing my Ph.D. May I apply for a Collaborative Research grant?
Persons enrolled in academic degree programs are not eligible to apply for Collaborative Research grants. If you have passed your dissertation defense but have not yet received the degree, you are eligible to apply—if you are also a U.S. citizen or will also have been a resident of the U.S. for at least the three years immediately prior to the application deadline. To demonstrate your eligibility, have your dean or department chair fax a signed letter to NEH (to 202-606-8204), stating that you have successfully completed all requirements for the Ph.D.; alternatively, a PDF version of the signed letter may be included as an attachment to an e-mail message sent to collaborative@neh.gov.
11. Do I need to have an advanced degree such as a Ph.D. to apply for a Collaborative Research grant?
No. However, your résumé should include publications, presentations, and other related experience that demonstrate your ability to carry out the project that you are proposing.
12. May I apply for a Collaborative Research grant as an individual, or must I apply through my institution?
Only adjunct faculty and those who are not affiliated with a U.S. nonprofit institution with IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status may apply as individuals. An individual affiliated with such an institution must ordinarily apply through that institution. If the project can be better hosted by a different institution, the individual may apply through that institution.
13. May an institution submit more than one application to this program?
Yes. However, an individual may not be named project director in more than one application in the same competition.
Application and Submission Information
14. Must I apply through Grants.gov?
Yes. All applications to this program, both from institutions and from individuals, must be submitted via Grants.gov. Instructions are in the guidelines.
15. Until what time can I apply on the day of the deadline?
You may apply until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on the day of the deadline. However, NEH suggests that you submit your application no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the day of the deadline. Doing so will leave you time to contact the Grants.gov help desk for support, should you encounter a technical problem of some kind. The Grants.gov help desk is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time at 1-800-518-4726. You can also send an e-mail message to support@grants.gov.
16. My project is a conference. Do I need commitments to participate from all invited conference participants before applying?
No. However, it is preferable to have commitments from as many participants as possible.
17. Must I have a contract with a publisher before applying?
No. Although having a contract would be helpful, proposals lacking a contract often are successful, so long as there is a plan to disseminate the results.
18. I have some supporting materials that are not in electronic format. How can I submit them?
All materials must be submittedly electronically (as PDF files) through Grants.gov, except for audio or video materials. (If the audio or visual materials can be accessed by evaluators on a Web site, you need only provide the URL at which they can be accessed.). Audio or visual materials that cannot be accessed at a Web site should be sent by commercial delivery service to Collaborative Research, Division of Research Programs, Room 318, National Endowment for the Humanities, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20506, 202-606-8200.
Application Review
19. My application for a Collaborative Research grant was unsuccessful. Is there anything I can do to increase my chances for success next time?
In addition to requesting sample proposals and submitting a draft proposal for comment, as described below (see question 21), you may also ask for copies of the evaluators’ comments about your project. For reasons of confidentiality, requests must be filed by e-mail ( collaborative@neh.gov) by either the project director or the institutional grants administrator.
20. I applied for a grant last year and was unsuccessful. Will this be held against me if I apply again this year?
No. NEH regards all applications as new applications.
21. What help is available for all applicants?
The staff of the Collaborative Research program will answer questions and review drafts of proposals submitted up to six weeks before the deadline. A response cannot be guaranteed if the draft arrives later. In addition, applicants may request copies of the narrative sections of proposals that have been successful from the lists available at www.neh.gov/news/recentawards.html. Applicants may contact staff by telephone (202-606-8200) or e-mail ( collaborative@neh.gov). Draft proposals must be submitted by e-mail.
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