Spotlight on Humanities in Higher Education

Division of Education Programs

Grant Snapshot

Maximum award amount

$25,000 for Exploration, $60,000 for Development

Open to

Organizations

Expected output

Community Partnerships;
Curriculum;
Faculty Development;
Teaching Resources

Period of performance

Exploration: up to one year, Development: up to two years

Application available (anticipated)

Next deadline (anticipated)

Expected notification date

Project start date

The Spotlight on Humanities in Higher Education program supports the exploration and development of small projects that would benefit underserved populations through the teaching and study of the humanities. Eligible applicants include small- to medium-size two- and four-year institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations whose work advances the humanities at these institutions and among their faculty and students. NEH especially welcomes applications from Native American and Indigenous institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, minority-serving institutions, community colleges, rural colleges and universities, schools that have a majority-minority undergraduate enrollment, and those that serve significant numbers of first-generation and nontraditional students.

The Spotlight program supports activities such as curricular or program development, expert consultations, speakers’ series, student research, creation of teaching resources, and community engagement. Projects may benefit students, faculty, the institution or organization, and/or the community.

The Spotlight program features a simplified application and streamlined application process. You may request support at one of two levels: Exploration or Development.

Click here for a pre-recorded webinar about the Spotlight program.

Live Q&A Session: Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Click here to participate or call in (audio only): +1 202-600-8430, meeting code 723 023 019#

Optional Draft Review: Submit draft materials to @email by September 28, 2022 to receive feedback from program officers before the final deadline. You do not need to have a fully developed program idea or near complete application to submit materials for review and feedback.

If you have not already done so, you must create a Login.gov user account to register and log in to SAM and Grants.gov. Create and link your account now.

Ensure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations and passwords are current. It may take up to one month to register with SAM.gov and Grants.gov. NEH will not grant deadline extensions for lack of registration.

Step 1 Review your application package

Read the Notice of Funding Opportunity to ensure you understand all the expectations and restrictions for projects delivered under this program and are prepared to write the most effective application.

Application Materials

Spotlight on Humanities in Higher Education Notice of Funding Opportunity, 2022

Spotlight on Humanities in Higher Education application package

Spotlight on Humanities in Higher Education FAQ, 2022

Step 2 Register for a SAM number and an account on Grants.gov

When you are ready to apply, register for an account with SAM.gov and Grants.gov; both are required. If you already have completed the registrations, make sure they are current. 

Step 3 Complete your application package

Follow the instructions outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. 

Step 4 Complete your application package

You will receive a confirmation from Grants.gov when you’ve successfully submitted your application. Subsequently, you will receive up to five more notices confirming different stages in the application process. Verify that you have received all confirmations. Note that email filters may send these messages to your spam or junk folder.