Preservation and Access Reference Materials

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 July 15 deadline.

What should I consider in discussing my project's significance to the humanities?

Do not assume that the project's significance will be evident to readers; be explicit about its importance. Provide examples of the various ways in which the proposed reference work or research tool would contribute to scholarship, education, or lifelong learning in the humanities.

Who is the audience for my grant application?

Specialists and non-specialists will read your application and advise NEH about its merit. The narrative should, therefore, explain the project's significance and provide an overview of its methodology in terms understandable to a layman. The narrative should also demonstrate a command of the literature relevant to the project's goals. Technical information may be provided in appendices, as necessary.

Should I have consultants and a board of advisers set up and committed before I apply?

Yes. Most reference works require early consultation with scholarly advisers and technical experts to plan for the implementation phase. The collaboration of highly qualified and experienced people makes it more likely that a project will be endorsed by evaluators.

The application guidelines state that letters of support are optional. Should I include letters with my application?

Proposals are not penalized if they do not include letters of support. Such letters do not substitute for a thorough description of the project in the narrative. You should also be aware that anyone who writes a letter of support for your project may not review your application for NEH.

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.

May I apply for more than one NEH grant for my project?

Yes, if your project will require more than two years to complete, you may request renewed funding. The application should describe the intended scope and duration of the entire project as well as the specific accomplishments or products of the grant period for which funding is requested.

If I am requesting renewed funding to continue my project, do I have to 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 file; 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.

If my project requires continued updating of the content and long-term technical maintenance, what would be considered a viable plan to sustain this effort?

Explain how the applicant institution intends to broaden its base of support for the project beyond NEH funding to cover such costs. Strategies may include creating a special fund or an endowment for the project, adopting membership fees in consortial efforts, requiring user licenses, or establishing collaborative agreements to support permanent positions or services. Additionally, you should discuss the commitment of the sponsors(s) to maintain access to the project over time.

My application 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.