Scholarly Editions
Do I have to apply through Grants.gov?
Yes. All applications to this program, both from institutions and from individuals, must be submitted via Grants.gov. Instructions are in the guidelines.
Does the NEH Digital Humanities Initiative require that all Scholarly Editions projects be published online and with free online access?
No. While the NEH encourages online publication, especially for new projects, the Digital Humanities Initiative does not require that all editions be published online or preclude applications from projects that intend print publication. For further guidance applicants should consult the expectations in the guidelines regarding the "final product and dissemination" of scholarly editions grants.
May I apply for a Scholarly Editions grant as an individual, or must I apply through my institution?
Only adjunct faculty and those who are not affiliated with a U.S. non-profit institution with IRS 501 (c)(3) tax exempt status may apply as individuals. Individuals affiliated with such an institution must ordinarily apply through that institution. If the project can be better hosted by a different institution, they may then apply through it.
I am working on a scholarly edition project, but I am the only participant. May I apply to the Scholarly Editions program?
No. Scholarly Editions grants support the preparation of an edition by a team of at least two editors and staff. If you are the only participant, you should apply to the Fellowships program.
I applied for a grant last year and was unsuccessful. Will this be held against me if I apply again this year?
No. NEH regards all applications as new applications.
I am not a U.S. citizen. Am I eligible to apply as an individual for a Scholarly Editions grant?
Yes, if you will have been a resident of the U.S. for at least the three years immediately prior to the deadline.
I am a U.S. citizen teaching at a foreign university. Am I eligible to apply for a Scholarly Editions grant?
Yes. You may apply either as an individual or through a sponsoring U.S. institution.
I am a U.S. citizen collaborating with someone from another country. May I include this person on the project budget?
Yes, collaborators may be from other countries.
I am a graduate student completing my Ph.D. May I apply for a Scholarly Editions grant?
No. Persons enrolled in academic programs are not eligible to apply for Scholarly Editions grants. If you have passed your dissertation defense and are waiting for the conferring of your degree, you are eligible to apply if you are a U.S. citizen or will have been a resident of the U.S. for at least the three years immediately prior to the deadline. In this situation, you must submit a letter from the dean or a member of your doctoral committee testifying to your eligibility.
Our editorial project used to receive NEH support from the Collaborative Research program. Should we apply to it or to the Scholarly Editions program?
The Collaborative Research program did support editions in the past, but editions now have their own program. You must apply to the Scholarly Editions program unless your project is an edition of translated materials, in which case you would apply to the Collaborative Research program.
What is the difference between the Scholarly Editions program and the Collaborative Research program?
Collaborative Research supports a broad range of original research projects that significantly add to knowledge and understanding in the humanities, whereas Scholarly Editions supports only the preparation of authoritative and annotated editions of pre-existing texts and documents, in their original language, that are of value to humanities scholars and general readers.
What makes a book project eligible for the Scholarly Editions program?
If a team of editors is working on an authoritative edition of a pre-existing text or document,
in its original language, that will be of value to humanities scholars and general readers,
the project is eligible. Projects that will result in textbooks, bibliographies, descriptive catalogs,
dictionaries, encyclopedias, databases, or other research tools or references works are not eligible;
applicants seeking support for such projects should apply for the Humanities Collections and Resources program.
Proposals for translations into English of a pre-existing text or for the publication of research results should
be submitted to the Collaborative Research grants program.
My project is both an edition and a translation. Is it eligible for a Scholarly Editions grant?
Applicants proposing a translation project should apply for a Collaborative Research Grant; however, you should consult with NEH staff to be certain that you apply to the correct program. Staff may be contacted by telephone (202-606-8200) or e-mail (editions@neh.gov).
Would a new edition of a work for which a previous edition already exists be eligible for support?
Yes. If you propose such an edition, however, the problems or inadequacies of the earlier edition of the work should be explained in the narrative.
Must I have a contract with a publisher before applying?
No. Although having a contract would be ideal, proposals lacking a contract often are successful, so long as the dissemination plans are sensible and include provision for online publication.
What help is available for applicants?
The Staff of the Scholarly Editions program will answer questions and review drafts of proposals submitted six weeks in advance of the deadline. A response cannot be guaranteed if the draft arrives later. You may contact staff by telephone (202-606-8200) or e-mail (editions@neh.gov). In addition, you may request copies of proposals that have been successful.
My application for a Scholarly Editions grant was unsuccessful. Is there anything I can do to increase my chances for success next time?
You may ask for copies of evaluators' comments about your project. Requests should be filed by e-mail (editions@neh.gov). You may also submit a draft proposal for comment by NEH staff up to six weeks prior to the deadline.
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