Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants
Office of Challenge Programs
Grant Snapshot
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Application available
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The purpose of the program is to strengthen the institutional base of the humanities by enabling infrastructure development and capacity building. Awards of federal matching funds aim to help institutions secure long-term support for their core activities and expand efforts to preserve and create access to outstanding humanities materials.
- Capital Projects support the purchase, design, construction, restoration, or renovation of facilities for humanities activities. This includes costs related to planning as well as the purchase and installation of related moveable and permanently affixed equipment for exhibiting, maintaining, monitoring, and protecting collections (whether on exhibit or in storage), and for critical building systems, such as electrical, heating ventilation and air conditioning, security, life safety, lighting, utilities, telecommunications, and energy management.
Fundraising is a critical part of NEH Challenge grant awards: up to 10 percent of total funds (NEH federal matching funds plus certified gifts) may be used for fundraising costs during the period of performance.
What’s new in 2023
- Three levels of awards with different match ratios: For requests up to $150,000 the match ratio is 1:1. From $150,001 to $500,000 it is 3:1. For Chair’s Special Awards of $500,001-$1,000,000, it is 4:1.
- The Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge program no longer supports Digital Infrastructure projects.
- Only one annual deadline offered.
- Check the NOFO for adjustments to recommended and required page limits and formatting instructions.
- In compliance with the recently passed Build America, Buy America Act (Pub. L. 117-58 § 70901, et seq.), beginning May 14, 2022, all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in projects involving construction, renovation, or facility infrastructure must have been produced in the United States.
Disclaimer: This is not a complete list of all changes to the Notice of Funding Opportunity
Watch the 2023 Infrastructure and Capacity Building webinar
- 40-minute presentation
- Closed captions available
Download a transcript of the webinar (PDF)
Download the webinar slides (PDF)
NEH Open House: A New Roof for Reynolda House
Join us for our next Open House event on Thursday, March 30, 2023 2:00 pm EDT with Pellissippi State Community College. Register here.
Read the Notice of Funding Opportunity to ensure you understand the expectations and restrictions for projects delivered under this grant and that you are prepared to write the most effective application.
Application Materials
Grants.gov application package for Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants
Program Resources
Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants Frequently Asked Questions, 2023
Certification of Matching Gifts for NEH Challenge Grants Form (PDF)
Instructions for the Supplementary Cover Sheet for NEH Grant Programs
2022 New Recipient Webinar transcription
Resources for Historic Preservation and Environmental Review
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
Frequently Asked Questions about the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Sample Application Narratives
New York Public Radio, Preservation and Digitization of the New York Public Radio Archives (PDF)
Cabell County Public Library, Construction of a New Branch Library (PDF)
Dubuque County Historical Society, Preservation and Restoration through Campus Improvements (PDF)
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Multidisciplinary Display of Permanent Collection Artwork (PDF)
Reynolda House Roof Renovation (PDF)
University of California, San Diego, Construction of the Institute of Arts and Humanities (PDF)
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Follow the instructions in the Notice of Funding Opportunity and Grants.gov.
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