America and the world: 250 years of U.S. Leadership in foreign affairs [in commemoration of the 250TH anniversary of the declaration of independence and the founding of the united states, pepperdine…

The National Endowment for the Humanities awarded $1 million to Pepperdine University on July 1, 2026, under the Promotion of the Humanities Public Programs (CFDA 45.164) to deliver "America and the World: 250 Years of U.S. Leadership in Foreign Affairs," a humanities-centered public programming initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States.

The project, delivered in partnership with the Wilson Center, will present eight to twelve curated public lectures and complementary embassy roundtables examining pivotal moments, figures, and themes that have defined American engagement with the world over the past two and a half centuries. The initiative will also publish connected educational content online to provide the American public a historically grounded, nuanced examination of the evolution of U.S. foreign policy during a period of national celebration and reflection.

The award period runs through December 31, 2027, with place of performance in California. Pepperdine University, a private tax-exempt nonprofit institution based in Malibu, California, serves as the recipient organization.

America and the world: 250 years of U.S. Leadership in foreign affairs [in commemoration of the 250TH anniversary of the declaration of independence and the founding of the united states, pepperdine university, in partnership with the wilson center, proposes to the national endowment for the humanities a major humanities-centered public programming initiative titled america and the world: 250 years of U.S. Leadership in foreign affairs. This national effort will explore the pivotal moments, figures, and themes that have defined american engagement with the world over the past two and a half centuries. Through a curated series of eight to twelve public lectures and complementary embassy roundtables, along with connected educational content published online, the project will offer the american public a historically grounded, nuanced examination of the evolution of U.S. Foreign policy during a period of national celebration and reflection.]