What grant programs does NEH offer?

NEH offers grants for humanities projects in education, public programs, preservation and access, and research. You can consult a list of grant programs organized either alphabetically or thematically.

How should I submit my application?

All institutions applying for an NEH grant must do so via Grants.gov. In order to use Grants.gov, your institution must register and create an institutional profile. NEH has developed a checklist to help your institution through the registration process. Grant program guidelines also contain information about preparing and submitting your application via Grants.gov.

When should I apply?

Each program has its own deadline. All deadlines are receipt--not postmark--deadlines.

How are proposals evaluated?

Proposals are assessed by knowledgeable persons outside NEH who represent a broad range of disciplines and expertise. Their assessments go to the National Council on the Humanities, a group of presidentially-appointed persons who make recommendations for awards to NEH's chairman, who in turn has final grant-making authority.

The "Application Review" section of the program guidelines contains information specific to each program.

When can I expect to hear a decision?

You should generally expect to wait seven to eight months after the deadline to hear a decision. The "Award Administration Information" section of the program guidelines contains information specific to each program.

Do I need to acknowledge NEH?

Yes, acknowledgement is required in all NEH funded materials and products.

What are NEH's rights to the products?

NEH reserves a royalty-free nonexclusive and irrevocable right to reproduce, publish or otherwise use a work produced with NEH funding and to authorize others to do so for federal purposes. For more information on NEH's rights to grant products, go to Article 23 of the General Terms and Conditions for Awards to Organizations.

What kind of help is available?

NEH program officers are available to:

• offer advice about preparing a proposal
  
• supply examples of projects
  
• review preliminary drafts (for most programs, if they are submitted well before the deadline)

The top of each program guideline contains information about how to contact program officers.

Who is eligible for a grant?

Both individuals and institutions can apply to NEH grant programs.

Individuals: If you are a citizen of the United States or a U.S. territory, or are a foreign national who has lived in the United States or a U.S. territory for at least three years immediately preceding an application, you are eligible to apply for a grant.

Institutions: U.S. nonprofit institutions (public agencies or private nonprofit organizations) are eligible for funding. State and local governments are also eligible. IRS tax-exempt status is required for grants in the divisions of Education Programs, Public Programs, and Research Programs.

Some grant programs are limited to only individuals or institutions. Please consult the "Eligibility" section of the program guidelines for further information.

Who receives NEH grants?

NEH grants typically go to individuals and cultural institutions such as museums, archives, libraries, colleges, universities, historical societies, public television and radio stations. The grants:

• preserve and provide access to cultural and educational resources
  
• strengthen teaching and learning in schools and colleges
  
• promote research and original scholarship
  
• provide opportunities for lifelong learning
  
• strengthen the institutional base of the humanities

Can I get an NEH grant to write a novel or create a work of art?

No, NEH does not fund the creative or performing arts. If you are interested in support for these areas you should call or write the National Endowment for the Arts, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20506, www.arts.gov, phone 202-682-5400. NEH does fund the history and criticism of the arts.

Can I get an NEH grant to fulfill degree requirements?

No. However, Faculty Research Awards for Historically Black, Hispanic-Serving, and Tribal Colleges and Universities can support research projects that may contribute to the completion of a doctoral dissertation.

Can I get an NEH grant to support a particular cause?

No, NEH does not fund projects that are directed at persuading an audience to a particular political, philosophical, religious, or ideological point of view.

Does NEH fund pedagogical projects?

No, NEH does not fund projects that deal solely with pedagogical theory or that are intended to improve writing, speaking, or thinking skills apart from a focus on specific humanities content.