•	Endowment-Wide Programs and Initiatives

      I. Program Description

     II. Award Information

   III. Eligibility

   IV. Application and Submission

    V. Application Review

   VI. Award Administration

  VII. Points of Contact

VIII. Other Information

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• enhance lifelong learning in American history by connecting nationally significant events, people, ideas, stories, and traditions with specific places;
• foster the development of interpretive programs for the public that address central events, themes, and issues in American history; and
• encourage consultation with humanities scholars and history organizations in the development of heritage tourism destinations.

• interpret a place that played a significant role in American history;
• enrich the visitor experience at one or more historic places by interpreting these places in light of broader themes in American history;
• make use of the specific features of one or more historic places—the site, its location, buildings, or other natural or built features—as integral parts of the proposed interpretation;
• build on sound humanities scholarship;
• involve humanities scholars in all phases of development and implementation;
• approach the subject thematically, analytically, and interpretively through an appropriate variety of perspectives;
• interest broad audiences; and
• employ appealing and accessible program formats that will actively engage the public in learning.

• combine diverse and wide-ranging interpretive formats that attract new audiences or expand and deepen in new ways an audience’s engagement with American history and culture;
• tie a variety of historic places together coherently within a broad, multithematic interpretive framework; or
• build on collaboration among statewide or regional agencies or organizations (e.g., parks and recreation systems, heritage areas, state humanities councils, etc.).

The historic home of a U.S. president reconceptualized its site interpretation in a new visitors center and Web site that situated the house within a broader context. In addition, a small traveling exhibition concerning the house and the president’s legacy was created, to reach venues throughout the country. The Web site was enhanced to include virtual tours and significant historical background.

A state historical agency coordinated efforts to link state historic sites together in order to explore common themes and ideas on the occasion of the sesquicentennial of the U.S. Civil War. During the sesquicentennial year, sites will be linked statewide via a Web site that offers information on the individual programs, suggestions for driving tours, and additional content that helps contextualize the sites as they relate to larger historical events.

• final collaboration with scholars or other advisers,
• final design and fabrication of exhibits and signage,
• development of Web sites and multimedia products,
• completion of interactive components,
• publication of interpretive materials for the general public,
• publicity and promotion,
• staff training specifically for the project’s interpretive programs,
• development of teachers’ guides and curriculum materials,
• presentation and distribution of public programs and related materials, and
• audience evaluation.

• single-site temporary exhibitions;
• purchase of art, artifacts, or collections;
• dramatic adaptations of literary works;
• professional development;
• expenses for program venues in foreign countries;
• projects that will satisfy requirements for educational degrees or formal professional training;
• programs primarily for students in formal learning environments;
• general operations, renovation, restoration, rehabilitation, or construction;
• projects primarily devoted to basic background research on the subject, as opposed to actual refinement of the interpretive ideas and formats;
• projects for preservation, cataloging, or archiving;
• projects that seek to persuade participants of a particular political, philosophical, religious, or ideological point of view;
• projects that advocate a particular program of social action; or
• print publications that are not an integral part of a larger set of interpretive activities for which funding is being requested.

• collaboration with multiple institutional partners;
• a wide-ranging combination of diverse formats (i.e., exhibitions, reading and discussion programs, digital formats, lecture series, symposia, neighborhood tours, curriculum guides, publications, and broadcast media); or
• programming at a large number of venues.

1. Table of contents
   List all parts of the application with corresponding page numbers.
2. Budget
   Using the instructions, complete the budget form (14-page PDF). If you wish, you may attach separate pages with notes to explain any of the budget items in more detail. Applicants are advised to retain a copy of the PDF containing their budget form.
3. Narrative
   The narrative should not exceed ten single-spaced pages, with one-inch margins. At least 11-point type should be used. Narratives for Chairman’s Special Award projects should not exceed fifteen pages. The narrative should contain the following information, in this order:
   • The nature of the request
     Briefly summarize your project in one or two paragraphs. Describe the subject, the interpretive format(s), and the main themes. State 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.
     Applications that build on previously funded NEH projects by adding new program formats must describe the previous project’s components, explain what the new formats would be, indicate how they would effectively enhance the previous project, and explain how new audiences would be reached and what new interpretive possibilities would be added.
     For exhibitions, outline the expected size (i.e., square footage and approximate number of objects), anticipated opening date, and venues.
   • Project introduction
     Identify the place to be interpreted and explain what makes it nationally significant. What happened there and why is it important? What central themes or issues in American history will the project address? Identify the historical subject matter of the project, its interpretive approach, and its use of significant humanities themes. Discuss the relationship of the themes to relevant humanities scholarship.
     Explain why the project will appeal to the public and what you expect people to learn. How will the specific attributes of the place—the site, its location, buildings, landscape, or other natural or built features—be made an integral part of the visitor’s learning experience?
     Indicate whether the place has received a “Preserve America,” “Save America’s Treasures,” or “America’s Heritage Rivers” designation, and note briefly how national historic significance or interpretation was part of that designation.
     Note other significant awards or designations (e.g., National Historic Landmark, National Heritage area, state-designated historic landmark or heritage area).
     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 its unique contribution would be. How does this proposed interpretation differ from what was previously available at this historic place?
   • Description
     Describe the assets of the site(s) (e.g., buildings, natural features, landscape, collections of objects, images, documents) and how they will be used effectively to convey the project’s themes.
     If necessary, discuss how permission or rights will be obtained for key materials and the likely costs of obtaining those rights.
     If your application is for the higher Chairman’s Special Award level of funding, explain why the institutional collaborations, number of program formats, or broad reach to audiences make the project a good candidate for additional implementation funds. Explain why it would be unusually significant and appealing, and why it would have exceptionally broad reach throughout the country.
   • Audience
     Discuss how the project will broaden public understanding of American history and culture. Describe, to the extent possible, the expected audiences for each project component or site, including any targeted or hard-to-reach groups. Explain your plans for publicizing the project. Outline audience evaluation strategies, including any formative or summative evaluation, whether proposed or completed.
   • 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 number of visitors;
     • special characteristics and current activities; and
     • humanities resources (such as collections or staff).
     Limit this profile to one page for major partners and a half page for each of the other collaborating organizations. If the institutions involved have any prior experience in cooperating with one another, describe that experience and the nature of those partnerships.
   • Project team
     Describe the key members of the project team, including staff members, scholars, technical advisers, and other program experts (curators, educators, heritage tourism professionals, etc.). Use two or three lines each to describe the qualifications and contributions of each project team member. Organize this information 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 appendices.
   • 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; explain the expected results of each meeting.
   • Fund raising plans
     If the applicant institution intends to share some of the costs, explain how it will meet its share of the costs and outline the fund raising plan. Note that NEH is rarely able to support full costs of projects approved for funding.
4. Special requirements
   In this section of the proposal you are asked to demonstrate how the humanities content of your project will be communicated to the public. You may use up to fifteen single-spaced pages to provide this information. Graphics and interpretive text samples are not included in this fifteen-page limit.
   • Information on admission (required of all applicants)
     Institutions hosting NEH-supported projects must provide several hours of free admission each week. Provide a statement of general admission policies for your institution as well as the proposed admission policy for all anticipated sites. If admission fees will be used to defray costs of the project, include the anticipated amount of revenue under “Project Income” in Section B of the budget.
   • Visitor walkthrough (required)
     Provide a map or site plan of the place to be interpreted and a “descriptive tour” detailing how a typical visitor might experience it as a whole, feature by feature.
     • Provide a description of each component of the project (exhibit, trail, docent tour, brochure, podcast, etc.).
     • Explain why the proposed components are appropriate interpretive tools for this place and your anticipated audience(s). For each component, explain how it will help illuminate the interpretive themes for the visiting public. Make specific references to one or more assets of the place: for example, a house, a room, an artifact, the landscape, or the geographic location. Explain how each component will make the visitor’s experience of the place different from what it is now.
     • Provide images of houses, fields, bridges, artifacts, rooms, and other features that are important to the story to be told.
     • Include samples of interpretive aids from each interpretive component, such as
       • text for labels, signs, or brochures;
       • scripts for docent tours or living history presentations;
       • video or multimedia segments; or
       • proposed trail signage, if the project involves heritage trails or walking tours.
   • Exhibition walkthrough (if applicable)
     If one of your project components is an exhibition or house tour, explain the interpretive strategies and the design philosophy for the exhibition.
     • Provide a “descriptive tour,” showing how a typical visitor would experience it section by section.
     • Explain how the takeaway messages will be conveyed.
     • Include five to ten sample illustrations of objects or images, sample text for four to five labels, and two to three panel texts as part of the walkthrough.
     • Provide a complete exhibition floor plan and elevations of at least two sections of the exhibition.
   • Public Programs (if applicable)
     Describe any ancillary programs that are part of your project, including conferences, lectures, and other one-time or occasional events. Specify the topics, identify participating speakers, and describe the expected audiences.
   • Publications (if applicable)
     Describe the content (including brief abstracts of essays), author(s), format, estimated print run, distribution plans, and sale price of any publications for which funding is requested. Explain how these publications will enhance the learning experience of the general public visiting the place.
     Proceeds from the sale of any publications will be subject to the NEH policy on program income, which is outlined in Article 16 of the General Terms and Conditions for Awards to Organizations.
   • Audiovisual and multimedia components (if applicable)
     Provide a description of each video or multimedia component of the project, including Web sites. If possible, include a script or story line and a description of the images that will be used. Explain how the multimedia components will enhance the visitor’s experience of the place.
     If a Web site or other product involving new technologies will be a critical interpretive tool and will represent a large portion of the funds requested from NEH, applicants should provide the following information:
     • Describe the user experience. Outline the proposed pathways that would guide a “virtual visitor” through the material. Explain how the images, audio, text, and interactivity would enhance and contextualize the user’s understanding of the place and the project’s interpretive themes. Include screen shots.
     • Describe how the user front-end evaluation and beta-testing will take place.
     • Describe the technical plan and outline the specific material, both audio and visual, that will be used. Explain how this material will be formatted and processed.
     • Describe the hardware and software to be used and the reasons for the choices.
     • Include evidence that appropriate permissions have been or can be secured for the materials that will be included.
     • Describe the distribution or marketing plan, explaining how the product will be publicized and made available to audiences.
     • For Web sites, provide plans for regular site management, including updating the humanities content, server maintenance and security, monitoring of traffic, and collecting user feedback.
     • For Web sites, include a working prototype on a disk or via a functioning URL; for a CD-ROM or DVD, provide a working prototype on disk. The prototype should provide working links to all major sections of the proposed product and should present one representative section in detail.
     Include samples of previous related work. If members of the digital team have not worked together before, separate samples should be submitted for each principal member. (See instructions below on “How to Submit Supplementary Materials.”)
     Append a page to the end of the narrative, describing the sample or samples of the companion digital component and indicating the roles played by each person on the digital team. In addition, please specify the platform on which the sample component is designed to operate.
     If the digital work is on a Web site, provide the URL and clearly indicate that this Web site is your work sample. If the sample work is on a DVD or CD, follow the instructions in the “How to Submit Supplementary Materials” section below.
     If you have questions about the appropriate amount of information that needs to be included in this section of the proposal, contact a program officer for specific guidance.
     Web sites should be designed in accordance with accepted standards for accessibility and usability by members of the general public, including those with visual and other disabilities.
   • Oral history components (if applicable)
     If the project uses oral histories, the applicant should provide the following:
     • a statement that the oral histories have been or will be conducted according to the guidelines of the Oral History Association,
     • 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,
     • the qualifications of the interviewers,
     • a discussion of how the interviews will complement the project’s other resources, and
     • a copy of the permission or release form.
5. 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;
   • documentation of awards and designations; and
   • if appropriate, a description of the collections or archives upon which the project is based, if not already covered in the narrative.
6. Supplementary materials
   Applicants may include supplementary materials, such as slides (up to ten, with brief captions), photographs, catalogs, or sample work for presentation at the panel meeting. See the instructions below on how to submit these materials.

1. Application for Federal Domestic Assistance - Short Organizational (SF-424 Short)—this form asks for basic information about the project, the project director, and the institution.
2. Supplementary Cover Sheet for NEH Grant Programs—this form asks for additional information about the project director, the institution, and the budget.
3. NEH Attachment Form—this form allows you to attach your narrative, budget, and the other parts of your application.

1. Name of Federal Agency: This will be filled in automatically with “National Endowment for the Humanities.”
2. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: This will be filled in automatically with the CFDA number and title of the NEH program to which you are applying.
3. Date Received: Please leave blank.
4. Funding Opportunity Number: This will be filled in automatically.
5. Applicant Information: In this section, please supply the name, address, employer/taxpayer identification number (EIN/TIN), DUNS number, Web site address, and congressional district of the institution. Also choose the “type” that best describes your institution (you only need to select one).
   If your institution is located, for example, in the 5th Congressional District of your state, put a “5.” If your institution doesn’t have a congressional district (e.g., it is in a state or U.S. territory that doesn’t have districts or is in a foreign country), put a “0” (zero).
   All institutions applying to federal grant programs are required to provide a DUNS number, 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 free of charge by calling 1-866-705-5711. (Learn more about the requirement.)
6. Project Information: Provide the title of your project. Your title should be brief, descriptive, and substantive. It should also be informative to a nonspecialist audience. Provide a brief description of your project. The description should be written for a nonspecialist audience and clearly state the importance of the proposed work and its relation to larger issues in the humanities. List the starting and ending dates for your project.
7. Project Director: Provide the Social Security Number, name, title, mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone and fax numbers for the project director. Disclosure of Social Security Numbers is optional. NEH uses them for internal application processing only.
8. Primary Contact/Grants Administrator: Provide the contact information for the official responsible for the administration of the grant (e.g., negotiating the project budget and ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of the award). This person is often a grants or research officer or a sponsored programs official. Normally, the Institutional Grants Administrator is not the same person as the Project Director. If the project director and the grant administrator are the same person, skip to item 9.
9. Authorized Representative: Provide the contact information for the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) who is submitting the application on behalf of the institution. This person, often called an “Authorizing Official,” is typically the president, vice president, executive director, provost, or chancellor. In order to become an AOR, the person must be designated by the institution’s E-Business Point of Contact. For more information, please consult the Grants.gov user guide, which is available at: www.Grants.gov/CustomerSupport.

1. Project Director: Use the pull-down menu to select the major field of study for the project director.
2. Institution Information: Use the pull-down menu to select your type of institution.
3. Project Funding: Enter your project funding information. Note that applicants for Challenge Grants should use the right column only; applicants to all other programs should use the left column only.
4. Application Information: Indicate whether the proposal will be submitted to other NEH grant programs, government agencies, or private entities for funding. If so, please indicate where and when. NEH frequently cosponsors projects with other funding sources. Providing this information will not prejudice the review of your application.
   For Type of Application, check “new” if the application requests a new period of funding, whether for a new project or the next phase of a project previously funded by NEH. Check “supplement” if the application requests additional funding for a current NEH grant. If requesting a supplement, provide the current grant number. Before submitting an application for a supplement, applicants should discuss their request with an NEH program officer.
   For Project Field Code, use the pull-down menu to select the humanities field of the project. If the project is multidisciplinary, choose the field that corresponds to the project’s predominant discipline.

1. Intellectual content: How well does the project deal with significant humanities themes? Is it broadly conceived, based on sound scholarship, and appropriately analytical?
2. Fit with Interpreting America’s Historic Places goals: Is the place significant to American history? Does the applicant propose to incorporate attributes of the specific place—the site, its location, buildings, landscape, or other natural or built features—as an integral part of the story? Does the proposed interpretation of the place address central themes and issues in American history?
3. Audience interest and reach: Does the applicant demonstrate that the proposed interpretation is likely to enhance a visitor’s experience of one or more places? Will the topic have broad public appeal and expand the public’s understanding of American history? Will the project draw in and engage audiences effectively? Could it be adapted for other places?
4. Justification for higher funding: If the application requests the higher Chairman’s Special Award level of funding, how convincing is the case that the project involves a large number of institutional partners, combines several different program formats, is of unusual public appeal, or has unusually broad reach?
5. Format: Are the program formats appropriate for presenting the events, ideas, and themes that will convey the national significance of the place? If the project involves multiple formats, how well do they complement and support one another? If the project relies substantially on user- or audience-generated content, is it clear how that material would be reviewed and made publicly available? If the project expands on a previously funded NEH project, how well do the new formats complement and expand the original humanities content, and how well do they reach different audiences?
6. Resources: Have the appropriate materials and resources been clearly identified? Are they the right ones for the project, and are they available?
7. Project team: Does it have the necessary expertise, interpretive experience, and technical skills? Has a team of humanities scholars been effectively involved?
8. Work plan: Is it realistic, clearly outlined, and efficient?
9. Budget: Are the project’s costs realistic, appropriate, and reasonable?