The 2004 deadline for this program has passed. Guidelines for 2005 will be available in late spring. In the interim, the guidelines below can be used for reference, but should NOT be used to prepare an application.
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Questions?
Contact NEH's Division of Public Programs at 202-606-8269 or publicpgms@neh.gov. Hearing-impaired applicants can contact NEH via TDD at 1-866-372-2930.
Type of Award
Successful applicants will be awarded a grant in outright funds, matching funds, or a combination of the two, depending on the applicant's preference and the availability of NEH funds.
How to obtain a print version of this application
Call 202-606-8446, send an e-mail to info@neh.gov, or write
to NEH, Office of Public Affairs, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20506.
Planning Grants are used to refine the content and interpretive approach of projects prior to implementation. Applicants should have already identified the appropriate humanities content of their projects and consulted with scholars and programming advisors.
Public humanities programs promote lifelong learning in history, literature, comparative religion, philosophy, and other fields of the humanities for broad public audiences. They go beyond the presentation of factual information and encourage thought and conversation about humanities ideas and questions. Projects that offer new insights into familiar subjects and use innovative formats and non-traditional ways of engaging audiences are welcome, as are projects with interdisciplinary perspectives.
Projects should:
- be based on sound humanities scholarship;
- involve humanities scholars in all phases of development and implementation;
- be of interest to broad audiences;
- deepen public understanding of significant humanities questions;
- approach the subject analytically and interpretively through an appropriate variety of perspectives;
- employ appealing and accessible program formats that will actively engage the general public in learning; and
- expand the numbers of people reached by:
- taking place at multiple venues;
- featuring creative collaborations;
- promoting outreach to new or underserved audiences; or
- by serving as models that can be emulated.
Each project should be guided by a team of advisors whose expertise complements that of the staff of the applicant institution. These consultants should help refine the project's concepts and themes, build on relevant scholarship, and develop interpretive approaches. Scholars must be included; and as appropriate, so too should museum educators or curators, librarians, or others with experience and knowledge of the humanities or the project's technical requirements. Most competitive proposals have a range of consultants whose expertise is suited to the project and who can incorporate diverse humanities perspectives.
Projects with oral histories should discuss how the project will adhere to the guidelines of the Oral History Association and include: an outline of proposed topics for the interviews; a list of the people to be interviewed or a description of the criteria for their selection, and the plans for their recruitment; a description of the qualifications of the interviewers; a discussion of how the interviews will complement existing resources; and, a copy of the permission or release form.
Digital products, such as websites, DVDs, or CD-ROMs, may be components of a larger project, or be projects in their own right. Projects relying heavily or solely on a digital format should have strong humanities content, be based on sound scholarship, and offer users an interactive and engaging experience. Although the core content might be collections of digitized documents, images, video or audio recordings, objects and/or other materials, these projects should feature additional content or activities that provide a context and an interpretive framework. Applications should identify prospective audiences and describe plans for publicity and marketing. If appropriate, digital projects may also include complementary public humanities programs.
Planning grants support all activities connected with project planning, including:
- meetings with advisers, program partners, and representatives of target audiences or other groups involved in the project;
- preliminary audience evaluation;
- travel to collections, sites, or to other resources;
- drafting of text for labels, exhibitions, brochures, publications, or other interpretive materials;
- design of the preliminary exhibitions and/or website; and
- general preparation of the associated programs and materials for dissemination.
Planning Grants are available for projects in the following three categories:
Libraries and Archives
These projects make collections accessible to the public through programs such as reading or film discussion series, traveling panel exhibitions, and lectures and public symposia. Grants may also pay for curriculum materials, brochures, and digital materials such as websites. Programs should serve multiple sites within a well defined area through existing networks, such as municipal, state, regional or national library agencies or associations. Digital or material dissemination of products, such as discussion brochures, teacher guides, or exhibition catalogs, is encouraged in order to inspire similar projects.
Discussion programs should be thematically organized, led by qualified scholars, and should encourage multiple viewpoints. Grants in this program do not support additions to collections, except when modest acquisitions are necessary (for example, multiple copies of texts to be used for a group discussion). Training for scholars and staff is supported where necessary.
Public conferences, forums, and symposia relating to library or archival resources must be aimed at public, not scholarly, audiences.
Traveling, flat panel exhibitions based primarily on library or archival collections should provide visually appealing and interactive experiences for visitors. Projects centering on exhibitions usually include companion public programs, including publicity materials, and related curricular materials.
Museums and Historical Organizations
These projects include interpretive exhibitions (both long-term at single site and traveling to multiple venues), the interpretation of historic sites, and other complementary components, such as publications, public symposia, and digital products. Applications should explain how the exhibition will engage visitors in humanities questions and issues. If possible, proposals should include plans for obtaining early audience evaluations.
Applicants are encouraged to create smaller, more portable versions of a larger exhibition for use in smaller museums and non-traditional venues. Venues for these traveling exhibitions should not be limited to a single state.
Special Projects
These projects may take place at diverse venues, including community centers, places of worship, 4-H clubs, neighborhoods, parks, visitor centers, workplaces, state fairs, or in fields under tents. Development of a content-rich website might also be a Special Project.
The audiences might be the general public or non-academic groups such as senior citizens; youth; members of civic organizations; members of a profession, such as journalism or medicine; history and heritage tourists; hobbyists; and local citizens. Topics and themes should appeal to the interests and backgrounds of the target audience(s).
A variety of formats are appropriate for Special Projects, including public discussion forums, hands-on learning experiences, discussion series based on reading or film-viewing, multi-faceted conferences, or symposia. Small exhibitions or interpretive publications might serve as common texts for such programs. Living history or historical impersonations might also be appropriate if they are deeply grounded in scholarship.
NEH especially encourages Special Projects that take place at multiple venues regionally or nationally. Organizations or associations with regional or national distribution mechanisms are often best equipped to do this. Single-site projects may be competitive if they are of exceptional scope and quality, if they hold unusual promise as models, or if they are conceived as pilots for larger-scale projects.
Planning grants cannot be used for:
- single-site temporary exhibitions;
- purchase of art or artifacts;
- professional development;
- expenses for program venues in foreign countries;
- programs primarily for students in formal learning environments;
- general operations, renovation, restoration, rehabilitation, or construction;
- projects whose purpose is preservation, cataloging, or archiving rather than public programming;
- projects whose primary purpose is archival rather than interpretive;
- projects that seek to persuade participants of a particular political, philosophical, religious, or ideological point of view; or
- projects that advocate a particular program of social action.
We the People Grant Initiative
To help Americans make sense of their history and of the world around them, NEH has launched an initiative: We the People. To learn more about We the People, visit the initiative's website. NEH encourages applications that explore significant events and themes in our nation's history and culture and that advance knowledge of the principles that define America.
As part of this initiative, NEH especially invites proposals for public programs in the following areas:
- America's Historic Places: projects that use one or more historic sites to address themes and issues central to American history. The place may be a single historic site or series of sites, whole neighborhoods, communities, or towns, or larger geographical regions. Taken as a whole, it must be significant to American history and the project must convey its importance to visitors.
- Family and Youth Programs in American History: public programs that encourage intergenerational learning about and reflection on significant topics in U.S. history and culture. Grants support the development of programming tailored to youth and/or family audiences at museums, libraries, historical societies and sites, parks, and other place in the community.
Planning grant applications for America's Historic Places and Family and Youth Programs in American History will be accepted in all three grant areas: Libraries and Archives, Museums and Historical Organizations, or Special Projects.
Proposals will be evaluated through NEH's established review process and will not receive special consideration.
Awards of up to $40,000 are normally made for a period, on average, of 12 months.
Please note that NEH support for a project in an early stage does not imply commitment for ongoing support. Proposals for successive phases of a project must be submitted separately and are evaluated independently.
If an application for a project is already under review, another application for the same project cannot be submitted.
Cost Sharing
Applicants should be prepared to assume some cost sharing (i.e., cash contributions made to the project by the applicant and third parties as well as third-party in-kind contributions, such as donated goods and services). NEH funds normally cover no more than 60% of the costs associated with planning activities
Any U.S. nonprofit organization with 501 (c) exempt status is eligible, as are state and local governmental agencies. Grants are not awarded to individuals.
NEH generally does not award grants to other federal entities or to applicants whose projects are so closely intertwined with a federal entity that the project takes on characteristics of the federal entity's own authorized activities. This does not preclude applicants from using grant funds from, or sites and materials controlled by, other federal entities in their projects.
Prior to submitting a proposal, applicants are encouraged to contact program officers who can:
- offer advice about preparing the proposal;
- supply samples of funded applications; and
- comment on a draft, if it is submitted well before the deadline (usually at least four weeks). These staff comments are not part of the formal review process and have no bearing on the final outcome of the proposal. However, previous applicants have found them helpful in strengthening their proposals.
A complete application includes the following:
- Application cover sheet
Complete the cover sheet.
- Table of contents
List all parts of the application and page numbers.
- Budget
Using the instructions, complete the budget form.
- Narrative
The narrative should not exceed 20 single-spaced pages, with one-inch margins, and be at least 11-point type. It should contain the following information, in this order:
- The nature of the request
Provide a one-to-two paragraph overview of the project and its interpretive goals. Describe the format(s), the subject and main themes, the amount of money requested from NEH, and the total project budget. Identify any related public programs that are part of the project. Explain the appropriateness of the project for your organization.
For exhibitions, outline the expected size (in terms of square footage and approximate number of objects), anticipated opening date, and venues.
- Project introduction
Describe the subject, and discuss the project's interpretive approach and its use of significant humanities themes. Explain why the project will engage the public and what you expect people to learn.
- Description
Give a brief history of the project to date (e.g., any previous funding from any other sources, development activities, research already completed, consultation with scholars or other advisers, contacts with partner organizations, and other related activities). If appropriate, describe the relationship of the project to others on the topic, and explain what it's unique contribution would be.
Describe the project's components and material resources (e.g., objects, images, documents, audio and/or video materials, web-based information, etc.), and how they will effectively convey the project's themes. If possible, describe the public programs that will accompany the project at all its venues. Explain why these particular programs have been chosen and how they will complement the project.
For Special Projects, describe each component (publication, workshop, lectures, symposia, reading and discussion, related exhibition, etc.) and explain how each will fulfill the project goals and engage particular audiences. Describe each anticipated venue to be used and the reason for the choice.
- Audience
Describe how the project will broaden public engagement in the humanities. Describe, to the extent possible, the expected participants or audiences for each venue, including any targeted groups. Describe any outreach efforts for underserved groups. Discuss frankly any difficulties that may be encountered in reaching certain audiences and the strategies for overcoming those difficulties. Explain the plans for publicizing the project. Outline audience evaluation procedures.
- Organization History
Provide a short profile of your organization and other major partner organizations. These descriptions should include the:
- institutional mission, origin, and size;
- annual operating budget;
- annual visitation;
- special characteristics and current activities; and
- humanities resources (such as collections or staff).
Limit this profile to one page for your organization, and a half page for each collaborating organization.
- Project team
Provide a comprehensive overview of the project team, including staff members, scholars, and other program experts (i.e., curators, educators, and designers for exhibition projects; librarians for library projects). Using short paragraphs, describe the qualifications and contributions of each project team member. Organize the paragraphs into two sections: one for staff from your institution and one for outside consultants. Include specific details on the responsibilities of each collaborating organization when appropriate. Résumés (two pages or less) for each person listed and letters of commitment from consultants should be included in the appendix.
- Work plan
Provide a detailed month-by-month schedule of the specific tasks and the individuals responsible for them. It is often helpful to present this section in a grid format. Clearly indicate when the planning team will meet and the expected results of each meeting. Describe the expected product(s).
- Fund-raising plan
Explain how your organization will meet its share of the costs and outline your fund-raising plans.
- The nature of the request
- Appendices
The following information should appear in the application's appendices:
- résumés (two pages or less) of all key project staff and consultants;
- letters of commitment from consultants and collaborating organizations;
- a bibliography of sources; and
- a description of the collections or archives upon which the project is based if appropriate and not already covered in the narrative.
- Additional materials
Applicants may include in their applications supplementary materials, such as slides (up to ten, with brief captions), photographs, catalogs, or sample work for presentation at the panel meeting. If you wish to have the materials returned to you, please include a self-addressed, pre-paid mailer.
All institutions applying to federal grant programs are required to provide a DUNS number, which is issued by Dun & Bradstreet, as part of their application. Project directors should contact their institution’s grant administrator or chief financial officer to obtain their institution’s DUNS number. Federal grant applicants can obtain a DUNS number for free by calling 1-866-705-5711. More information about the new requirement is available.
Application Checklist
Include:
One original, unbound proposal, including (in this order):
- original, signed application cover sheet (please attach a self-adhesive note identifying the original)
- table of contents
- budget
- narrative
- appendices
Plus:
- 3 extra copies of the signed application cover sheet
- 9 additional copies of the complete application, including the cover sheet (please do not use heavy binders)
- 1 copy of any desired additional materials (7 copies if applicants want panelists to review these materials before they meet)
Send applications to:
Planning Grants
Division of Public Programs
Room 426
National Endowment for the Humanities
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20506
202-606-8269
NEH sometimes experiences lengthy delays in the delivery of mail by the U.S. Postal Service. To ensure that your application arrives by the receipt deadline, please consider using a commercial delivery service. NEH will acknowledge the receipt of your application by e-mail. Although formal applications cannot be accepted by e-mail or fax, we do recommend the use of such alternatives for other kinds of correspondence, including inquiries, preliminary drafts, recommendations, or reports.
Deadline for Submissions
Applications must be received by September 16, 2004 for projects beginning no earlier than April 2005.
Criteria
Applications will be judged by the following criteria:
- Intellectual Content: How well does the project deal with significant humanities themes? Is it broadly conceived, based on sound scholarship, and appropriately analytical?
- Audience Interest and Reach: Does the applicant demonstrate that the topic would have broad public appeal and expand the public's understanding of the humanities? Will the project draw in and engage audiences effectively?
- Format: Are the program formats appropriate to the ideas, themes, and audience?
- Resources: Have the appropriate materials and resources been clearly identified? Are they the right ones for the project and are they available?
- Project Team: Does it have the necessary expertise, interpretive experience, and technical skills? Has a team of humanities scholars been effectively involved?
- Work Plan: Is it realistic and efficient?
- Budget: Are the project's costs realistic, appropriate, and reasonable?
Knowledgeable persons outside NEH will read each application and advise the agency about its merits. The Endowment's staff comments on matters of fact or on significant issues that otherwise would be missing from these reviews, then makes recommendations to the National Council on the Humanities. The National Council meets at various times during the year to advise the NEH chairman on grants. The chairman takes into account the advice provided by the review process and, by law, makes all funding decisions.
Award notices
Applicants will be notified by letter in March 2005.
Administrative requirements
Before submitting an application, applicants should review their responsibilities as a grantee and certification requirements.