Public Humanities Projects
Open Posted
- Opportunity number
- 20261209-GE-GI-BP-BR-GGX
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $2,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Humanities
- Eligible applicants
-
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- Special District Governments
- County Governments
- State Governments
- City/Township Governments
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- Points of contact
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Endowment for the Humanities Division of Lifelong Learning is soliciting applications for the Public Humanities Projects program with a deadline of December 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. No cost sharing is required.
Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, accredited institutions of higher education (public or nonprofit), state and local government agencies, and federally recognized Native American Tribal governments.
NEH anticipates awarding approximately $6,000,000 to an estimated 20 recipients, with award notifications expected in July 2027. Planning awards provide up to $75,000 for periods of performance up to 24 months. Implementation awards range from $100,000 to $500,000 for 12 to 48 months, with Chairman's Special Awards available up to $2,000,000 for projects of exceptional significance and impact. Projects must start between November 1, 2027, and March 1, 2028.
The program funds three categories: permanent exhibitions (minimum three years on view), temporary exhibitions (minimum two-month public run), traveling exhibitions (at least two U.S. venues), interpretive programs at historic sites (minimum three years of public presentation), and public lectures and discussion forums. All projects must be grounded in sound humanities scholarship and involve external humanities scholars in all phases.
For 2027, NEH prioritizes applications addressing Western civilization and America's place in it; great works of literature, history, philosophy, and theology; the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution; civic education; civil discourse; cultural literacy; and close reading practices. Public lectures and discussion forums must address one of these interest areas.
Funding restrictions prohibit promotion of political, religious, or ideological viewpoints; DEI/DEIA initiatives; environmental justice activities; films or podcasts as primary formats; and preservation or archiving without significant interpretive components.
Applications must include a 15-page narrative, work plan, resumes, letters of commitment from external scholars and partners, bibliography, and for implementation projects, a 10-page walkthrough. Peer reviewers will evaluate applications based on intellectual content and humanities significance, format and program resources, audience appeal and reach, project team qualifications, project feasibility, and overall quality.
CFDA 45.041.
Synopsis
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Division of Lifelong Learning is accepting applications for the Public Humanities Projects program. The purpose of this program is to support projects that bring the ideas and insights of the humanities to life in three areas: (1) exhibitions, (2) historic site interpretations, and (3) public lectures and discussions. For 2027, NEH welcomes applications that promote deeper public understanding of the following topics: Western civilization and America's place in it; great works of literature, history, philosophy, and theology and their relevance to contemporary questions; the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution; civic education; civil discourse; cultural literacy, and the practice of close reading. Public Lectures and Discussion Forums must address one of these interest areas.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Public_Humanities_Projects_2026_NOFO_10202026.pdf | ||
| NEH_General_Application_Guide.pdf | ||
| Public_Humanities_Projects_2026_NOFO.pdf | ||
| NEH_General_Application_Guide.pdf | ||
| PKG00294411.pdf | ||
| PKG00294410.pdf | ||
| PKG00294409.pdf | ||
| PKG00294408.pdf | ||
| PKG00294407.pdf |
On GovTribe
Work this opportunity
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar grant opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity