Landmarks of American History and Culture: Workshops for School Teachers

Does my institution need a grant writer to prepare an application?

No, but scholars knowledgeable about the subject should be involved early in the conceptualization of the project and the writing of the application.

What qualifies as a landmark?

A landmark is a specific location in America that has significance for our history and culture. A landmark may be a recognized historical monument or group of monuments, such as a presidential residence, a Civil War battlefield, a colonial settlement, or sites associated with major writers or artists. A historical district or a collection of thematically related structures and sites within a local region could also qualify. If you have any questions as to whether your proposed landmark qualifies, consult an NEH program officer.

May an independent scholar apply to direct a workshop?

No. Grants are made to institutions, not individuals.

What is meant by "master teacher"?

A master teacher is an experienced educator who has held a leadership role in mentoring and advising other classroom teachers. A master teacher does not necessarily need to have advanced certification, such as that offered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

My institution would not be an appropriate host for a workshop, but another nearby college would be. May I hold my program there?

Yes. Contact a program officer in the Division of Education for details on how to do this.

Would it be possible to co-direct a workshop with a colleague who is not on the faculty of the institution hosting the workshop?

Yes.

How early or late in the summer should a workshop take place?

Because of school calendars, workshops should begin no earlier than late June and end before the middle of August. If multiple iterations of a workshop are scheduled, NEH recommends that at least one be held in July.

When scheduling workshops, should I have an interval between them?

Yes. Although in some cases you might need to hold the workshops in quick succession, it is preferable to give time between sessions for the workshop faculty to prepare instructional materials. You should also allow time for custodial crews to prepare the meeting rooms and lodgings for the next group of participants.

I'd like to hold a welcoming reception for the participants in my workshops. May I pay for this out of grant funds?

No. NEH grant funds may not be used for entertainment.

I just found out that my institution will submit an application for another Landmarks workshop. Will NEH only fund one?

No. It is possible that NEH will fund both.

My institution applied for a grant last year and was unsuccessful. Will this be held against us if we apply again this year?

No. NEH treats all applications as new applications.

Is there anything I may do to increase my chances for success next time?

You may receive a copy of the comments provided to NEH by outside evaluators at the initial stage of review. You must request this material in writing or by e-mail. After reading these comments, you should follow up with a telephone call to a program officer.