Debate, exchange of ideas, and working together—all are basic activities that advance humanities knowledge and foster rich scholarship that would not be possible by researchers working on their own. The Collaborative Research grant program encourages collaboration that proposes diverse approaches to topics, incorporates multiple points of view, and explores new avenues of inquiry that lead to publications and other resources for humanities scholars, general audiences, or both.

Collaborative Research grants support groups of two or more scholars engaging in significant and sustained research in the humanities. The program seeks to encourage projects in a single field of study, as well as interdisciplinary work, both within the humanities and beyond. Projects that include partnerships with researchers from the natural and social sciences are encouraged, but they must remain firmly rooted in the humanities and must employ humanistic methods. Collaborators may be drawn from a single institution or several institutions across the United States; up to half of the collaborators may be based outside of the U.S. Partnerships among different sorts of institutions are welcome: for example, research universities might partner with teaching colleges, libraries, museums, or independent research institutions.

Eligible projects must propose tangible and sustainable outcomes such as co-authored or multi-authored books; born-digital publications; themed issues of peer-reviewed journals; and open-access digital resources. All project outcomes must be based on and must convey interpretive humanities research. All award recipients are expected to disseminate the results of their work to scholarly audiences and/or general audiences.

Funding is available for sustained full-time or part-time activities during the period of performance to facilitate collaboration. Funds may be requested to cover, where appropriate, salary replacement; compensation of collaborators, consultants, and research assistants; fringe benefits; and travel, lodging, and per diem costs. Indirect costs can be included. NEH is rarely able to cover the full cost of a project. For that reason, funding from other sources and cost sharing are expected but not required. (See the budget instructions below for additional information.)

Collaborative Research offers two types of awards to address different sorts of projects and stages of development.

Convening Grants – up to $50,000

Convening grants last one year and typically fund conferences and working group meetings to sharpen the chosen research topic and discuss and plan subsequent publication.

Publication Grants – up to $250,000 (no more than $100,000 per year)

Publication grants last one to three years and support the project toward completion of its publication goals. Publications can appear in traditional print or in digital form. Note that costs paid to publishers and subventions are not supported.

A Convening Grant can be used to plan and prepare for a Publication Grant in a subsequent year. A Convening grant is not, however, a prerequisite for a Publication grant. Collaborators who have done their planning and are ready to work toward completion and publication can apply directly for a Publication grant.