America's Media Makers: Development and Production Grants FAQs

According to the 1965 National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act, “The term 'humanities' includes, but is not limited to, the study of the following: language, both modern and classical; linguistics; literature; history; jurisprudence; philosophy; archaeology; comparative religion; ethics; the history, criticism and theory of the arts; those aspects of social sciences which have humanistic content and employ humanistic methods; and the study and application of the humanities to the human environment with particular attention to reflecting our diverse heritage, traditions, and history and to the relevance of the humanities to the current conditions of national life.”

What advice do you have for media producers in putting forth a strong application?

The project itself must fall within the fields of the humanities and accord with the purpose and goals of NEH. NEH does not give general support for media programs but seeks to fund those programs that will best bring the issues and approaches of the humanities, and humanities research, to broad public audiences.

Other critical factors are for a producer to have a well-developed story outline, to define the target audience, and to be strongly committed to the project. In addition, the costs detailed in the budget should conform to industry standards.

It is also helpful to review samples of successful applications. These samples will give you models that can help you compose your application. You can request samples by sending an e-mail to publicpgms@neh.gov.

Applicants, especially for first-time applicants, often fail to provide as much information as evaluators expect. Applicants must discuss the project in considerable detail, articulating clearly their concept for the project and the humanities issues that the project reflects, even when the proposal is for a development grant. Media producers should have done considerable research on the subject and consulted with scholars about their ideas; they should also explain the scholars' contributions in the proposal.

Someone who has an advanced degree in a discipline of the humanities is generally considered a scholar. Scholars can provide context for the project's issues and identify relevant humanities themes and ideas. Many humanities scholars hold university appointments and have written books and articles in their field.

As a general rule, the earlier scholars are involved in a project, the better. Usually projects recommended for funding are ones in which scholars have helped shape the project's conceptual framework.

Yes, you must recruit a team of scholars. The advisory team helps producers incorporate current scholarship, develop the major humanities themes, and explore a range of interpretive possibilities for these themes.

The search for scholars can start in a local book store or university library. If you find a good book that is relevant to your project, contact the author. You may also contact state humanities councils, local universities, or national professional associations (e.g., the American Studies Association or the American Historical Association) for directories of scholars.

There is no set fee for scholars and other professionals working on your project. Some projects pay scholars a flat honorarium, others pay a daily rate. Discuss your project with the scholars, including the work that you expect from them, and negotiate a fair rate.

What advice do you give media producers who have less experience but have worthy humanities projects?

What distinguishes a production grant application from a development grant application?

More research should have been completed, and the project should be described in greater detail, for a production grant application. These applications should convey a solid command of the relevant humanities scholarship, the program’s narrative elements, and the visual approach. All production proposals require a detailed program description for a radio project, a script for a television project, or a design document and prototype for a digital media project. Development applications do not need to be worked out to the same extent; nevertheless, they need to describe the intellectual themes, storyline, and audio or visual approach in enough detail so that a panel can see the merits of the project. Digital media projects must also describe the nature and the structure of the interactivity and how it will facilitate the audience's experience of the humanities content.

All applicants must submit a sample of previous work. Filmmakers might, for example submit a complete film or television program along with a “sample reel” consisting of several five- to ten-minute clips. Radio producers might submit a finished program or segments of several programs. Digital media producers might submit URLs for Web sites or CDs or DVDs that show screen shots and interactivity. All samples should showcase the applicant’s skills with humanities subjects and with the particular creative approach that will be used in the proposed project.

Yes. Applicants may even revise and resubmit a proposal that was not recommended for funding. All applicants may request the evaluators’ assessments of their proposal. This information is useful as you continue working on the project and decide whether to resubmit.

May the same project director or producer submit an application for two different projects at the same time?

If I am an individual producer unaffiliated with a nonprofit organization, may I still receive an America’s Media Makers grant?

No. America’s Media Makers grants are awarded only to U.S. nonprofit, IRS tax-exempt organizations. But many cultural organizations, media arts centers, public radio stations, public television stations, and universities serve as sponsors of the projects of independent producers and may be willing to sponsor your project. Independent producers who wish to apply for NEH funding are advised to seek sponsorship by an eligible organization before submitting an application. Please contact a program officer for a list of recent grantees, which includes examples of nonprofit organizations that were awarded grants. For further information on the specific responsibilities of sponsorship organizations, please see Requirements for Grant Recipients that Serve as Sponsors of Projects.

Do I need to have already raised money from other sources in order to be competitive for an NEH grant?

No. But NEH policy requires that commitments for full funding for the project from all sources must be in place prior to the start of production and the release of grant funds.

NEH-funded projects should be offered for broad distribution to the widest possible audience. Although NEH does not require applicants to have a commitment for distribution when they apply, a letter of interest from a broadcaster or other distribution partner may enhance an application. Furthermore, as a taxpayer-supported federal agency, the NEH endeavors to make the products of its awards available to the broadest possible audience. Our goal is for scholars, educators, students, and the American public to have ready and easy access to the wide range of NEH award products. For the America’s Media Makers program, such products may include radio and television programs and digital media products. For projects that lead to the development of Web sites, all other considerations being equal, the NEH gives preference to those that provide free access to the public.

Does NEH fund programs that will be distributed primarily over the Internet or on DVD?