Americas Historical and Cultural Organizations Implementation Grants | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Americas Historical and Cultural Organizations Implementation Grants (NEH)

What is the Americas Historical and Cultural Organizations (AHCO) Implementation Grants program?

AHCO Implementation Grants is a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) funding opportunity that supports public humanities projects in their final, ready-to-launch phase. The program is intended to help organizations bring humanities projects to the public in a finished form, with content that explores stories, ideas, and beliefs in ways that deepen public understanding of culture, identity, and history.

What does NEH mean by a "public humanities" project in this program?

In this opportunity, NEH is looking for projects that do more than share information. The expectation is that projects will encourage dialogue, discussion, civic engagement, and learning for audiences of all ages, using strong humanities scholarship and clear interpretation.

Which NEH office is associated with this opportunity?

This opportunity is associated with NEH's Division of Public Programs, which emphasizes humanities content and interactive experiences that are intellectually solid, engaging, and designed to spark thoughtful reflection in creative, contemporary ways.

What is the main purpose of an "implementation" grant (as opposed to early development)?

Implementation grants fund the final preparation phase of a project. Applicants are expected to be well beyond early concept development and able to show what the public-facing product will look like. The funding is aimed at supporting the last steps needed to open, launch, or otherwise deliver the project to the public.

Do applicants need to have a fully defined project before applying?

Yes. In practical terms, the program is aimed at projects that have already identified their main humanities themes, the relevant scholarly perspectives, and the formats they will use to reach audiences. The application is expected to demonstrate a clear interpretive structure and a strong grasp of the scholarship behind the topic.

What kinds of materials are expected for an exhibition application?

For an exhibition, applicants are expected to submit a full walkthrough that shows what the public-facing experience will be like, including a clear interpretive structure and evidence of strong scholarship on the topic.

What kinds of materials are expected for a digital project application?

For a digital project, applicants are expected to provide a prototype or storyboard that demonstrates the project is based on sound humanities ideas and is ready for final production.

What types of projects and formats can be supported?

Supported formats named in the opportunity include traveling exhibitions shown at multiple venues, long-term exhibitions housed at a single institution, interpretation of historic places or areas, interpretive websites and other digital platforms, reading and discussion programs, and widely traveling panel exhibitions enhanced by complementary programming such as discussion series, radio, or other media. The guidelines also allow for other creative public humanities formats, as long as they are clearly interpretive and engage audiences meaningfully with humanities questions.

Does NEH encourage using more than one format for public engagement?

Yes. NEH encourages applicants to consider using more than one format when presenting humanities ideas, especially when combining formats will strengthen audience engagement.

How important is innovation and technology in this grant opportunity?

Innovation in public presentation is a major theme, including the use of emerging technologies. Digital projects are welcomed, but they must be interpretive and contextual, designed to invite the public to explore ideas rather than simply browse collections.

Are simple online archives or repositories eligible digital approaches?

The opportunity indicates that digital work should go beyond being a simple online archive or repository. NEH is looking for digital projects that provide context and interpretation and that support interactive exploration of ideas.

What are examples of digital components that NEH mentions?

Examples mentioned include websites, mobile or PDA-based tours and resources, podcasts, virtual environments, wiki-style or user-generated content formats, virtual imaging, GIS mapping, online scholar-led discussions, video-on-demand or streaming video, and games.

If a project includes user-generated content, what does NEH expect?

If a project includes user-generated public postings, the application is expected to explain how that content will be vetted by qualified scholars or project staff to ensure accuracy and educational value.

What is NEH's view on the role of technology in these projects?

The opportunity emphasizes that technology should serve humanities interpretation, not replace it. The chosen format should add something meaningful that the public could not get as effectively through a more traditional presentation.

Who is eligible to apply for this grant opportunity?

The opportunity lists eligibility for a wide range of organizations, including federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state and local governments (including counties, cities or townships, and special districts), nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education.

What is the funding instrument and program category?

The funding instrument is a grant. It is categorized under humanities public programs and identified as CFDA 45.164.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The listing indicates that there is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity.

What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum award amount (ceiling) is listed as $1,000,000.

Is there a minimum award amount?

No minimum award amount is stated in the listing. The floor is listed as $0.

Is a prior NEH planning grant required to apply for an implementation grant?

No. Applicants do not need to have received a planning grant in order to apply for an implementation grant. This allows organizations that completed planning through other means to apply directly for implementation support.

Can an organization submit more than one application for the same project?

No. NEH restricts duplicate submissions for the same project. An applicant cannot submit multiple applications for the same project at the same deadline.

Can an organization submit another application for the same project if one is already under review?

No. If one application for a project is already under review, another application for that same project will not be accepted.

What were the key dates for the opportunity listing provided?

The opportunity was posted on June 22, 2009. The original and current closing date listed is August 26, 2009. The opportunity was archived on September 25, 2009.

Where can applicants find the official NEH guidelines for this program?

The opportunity directs applicants to the NEH guidelines page for AHCO Implementation Grants at: http://www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/AHCOImplementationGuidelines.html

Who can applicants contact with questions or to request help accessing the announcement?

Questions and requests for help accessing the announcement can be directed to NEH Division of Public Programs, Room 426, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20506, phone 202-606-8269, email publicpgms@neh.gov.