Preservation and Access Research and Development

What are the humanities?

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."

May a non-U.S. institution or organization apply for a grant?

NEH does not provide support to foreign institutions or organizations. However, American institutions may apply for cooperative projects involving U.S. and foreign organizations, provided support is requested primarily for the U.S. portion of the collaborative effort.

Is the NEH deadline a mailing or receipt deadline?

It is a receipt deadline. A complete application must be received by the deadline.

Who is the audience for my grant application?

Specialists and non-specialists will evaluate your application. Your narrative should, therefore, explain the projects significance and provide an overview of its methodology in terms that will be understandable to a layman. The narrative should also demonstrate a command of the literature relevant to the project and provide detailed information about the procedures to be used to accomplish the project's goals. Technical information may be provided in appendices, as necessary.

If I receive NEH funding, may I also accept money from other sources?

Yes. Applicants are encouraged to seek other financial support. We do ask that you tell us about proposals to other funding sources so we understand the project's financial picture.

If I am requesting additional NEH funding to continue my project, should I describe the project anew or will evaluators have access to the earlier grant proposal?

NEH treats all applications as new applications. Evaluators will not have access to the previous application; therefore, proposals for renewed funding must discuss the project anew. Be sure to describe the work accomplished with previous NEH funding and be clear about the specific activities and products of the new grant.

What are indirect costs?

These are costs that are incurred for common or joint objectives and therefore cannot be readily assigned to a specific project or activity of an organization. Typical examples of indirect costs are the salaries of executive officers, the costs of operating and maintaining facilities, local telephone service, office supplies, and accounting and legal services. Indirect costs are computed by applying a negotiated indirect cost rate to a distribution base (usually the direct costs of the project).

Do indirect costs count as gifts for federal matching funds?

No. Only cash or pledges for cash from non-federal third parties can be matched by the NEH.

My application for a research and development grant was unsuccessful. Is there anything I may do to increase my chances for success next time?

You may request copies of the comments by evaluators. A revised application should take into consideration the issues they raised. However, a resubmitted application will be reviewed by persons who will not have knowledge of or access to the previous application file.