Opportunity Information: Apply for 20090826 GE
Apply for 20090826 GE
- The National Endowment for the Humanities in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Americas Historical and Cultural Organizations Planning Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.164 Promotion of the HumanitiesPublic Programs.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 22, 2009 and posted on Jun 22, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 26, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $75,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education City or township governments State governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Special district governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
Americas Historical and Cultural Organizations Planning Grants is a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) discretionary grant opportunity from the Division of Public Programs that helps organizations develop public-facing humanities projects before they are ready for full implementation funding. The program is meant for projects that explore humanities-driven stories, ideas, and beliefs in ways that deepen public understanding of culture, identity, and history. A central expectation is that projects do more than present information; they should spark curiosity, encourage dialogue and civic engagement, and support learning for audiences of different ages. The program also nudges applicants to think beyond a single delivery method and consider combining multiple formats to make humanities content more engaging and accessible.
These are planning grants, so the funding is geared toward the early and middle stages of project development rather than final production. Supported planning activities can include clarifying the project s main interpretive themes and humanities questions, consulting with qualified scholars to strengthen accuracy and depth, conducting preliminary audience research or evaluation, sketching out interpretive and interactive design approaches, and drafting early versions of exhibition text or other interpretive materials. Planning funds can also be used for beta testing digital components, outlining related public programs that complement the main project, and conducting research in archives or at historic sites that will inform the final content and narrative approach.
NEH indicates that the eventual public project can take many forms. Common formats include traveling exhibitions shown at multiple venues, long-term exhibitions housed at a single institution, interpretive websites and other digital experiences, interpretation of historic places or geographic areas, and reading and discussion programs. The program also supports panel exhibitions that travel widely and reach broad audiences, especially when paired with complementary programming such as reading series, radio, or other media that enrich the visitor experience. NEH is open to other creative formats as long as they meaningfully engage the public with strong humanities ideas.
A notable emphasis is on thoughtful, interpretive use of digital technology. Proposals that incorporate emerging technologies are encouraged, but NEH draws a clear line between interpretation and simple digitization. Projects are not expected to be merely digital archives or online repositories; instead, the digital approach should add context, interpretation, and interactive engagement for general audiences. Examples of acceptable digital directions include mobile or PDA-style tours and resources, podcasts, virtual environments, wiki-like formats or other user-generated content models, virtual imaging, GIS mapping, online scholar-led discussions, streaming video, and games. If a project invites public contributions online, the application is expected to explain how those contributions will be reviewed or vetted by qualified scholars or trained project staff to ensure accuracy and educational value. Across all formats, NEH stresses that digital components must be grounded in sound humanities scholarship and should use the chosen medium in a way that genuinely enhances public understanding.
From the published opportunity details, the funding opportunity number is 20090826 GE and the CFDA number is 45.164 (Promotion of the Humanities Public Programs). The award ceiling is listed as 75,000 dollars, with no stated minimum award amount, and there is no cost sharing or matching requirement. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, public and private institutions of higher education, state governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. The opportunity was posted June 22, 2009, and the application deadline for this cycle was August 26, 2009 (archived September 25, 2009). The sponsoring agency is the National Endowment for the Humanities, Division of Public Programs, with additional guidance historically provided through NEH program guidelines and staff contact information for applicant support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Americas Historical and Cultural Organizations Planning Grants (NEH)
What is the Americas Historical and Cultural Organizations Planning Grants program?
Americas Historical and Cultural Organizations Planning Grants is a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) discretionary grant opportunity from the NEH Division of Public Programs. It supports organizations that are developing public-facing humanities projects and need planning support before seeking full implementation funding.
What is the main purpose of these planning grants?
The purpose is to help projects in the early to middle stages of development get ready for eventual implementation. The program is designed for humanities-driven public projects that explore stories, ideas, and beliefs in ways that deepen public understanding of culture, identity, and history, while also encouraging curiosity, dialogue, civic engagement, and learning across different ages.
What kinds of projects are these grants intended to support?
The grants are intended to support public-facing humanities projects that do more than present facts. NEH emphasizes interpretive approaches that spark curiosity, encourage dialogue and civic engagement, and support learning for audiences of different ages. Applicants are also encouraged to consider using more than one delivery format to make the humanities content more engaging and accessible.
Are these grants for planning or for final production?
These are planning grants. The funding is geared toward early and middle stages of project development rather than final production or full implementation.
What planning activities can the grant funds support?
Supported planning activities can include:
- Clarifying the project’s main interpretive themes and humanities questions
- Consulting with qualified scholars to strengthen accuracy and depth
- Conducting preliminary audience research or evaluation
- Sketching interpretive and interactive design approaches
- Drafting early versions of exhibition text or other interpretive materials
- Beta testing digital components
- Outlining related public programs that complement the main project
- Conducting research in archives or at historic sites that informs final content and narrative
What kinds of final public projects does NEH say could result from this planning work?
NEH indicates the eventual public project can take many forms, including:
- Traveling exhibitions shown at multiple venues
- Long-term exhibitions housed at a single institution
- Interpretive websites and other digital experiences
- Interpretation of historic places or geographic areas
- Reading and discussion programs
Does the program support traveling panel exhibitions?
Yes. NEH notes support for panel exhibitions that travel widely and reach broad audiences, particularly when paired with complementary programming such as reading series, radio, or other media that enrich the visitor experience.
Is NEH open to formats beyond the common examples listed?
Yes. NEH is open to other creative formats as long as they meaningfully engage the public with strong humanities ideas.
How important is digital technology in this program?
There is a notable emphasis on thoughtful, interpretive use of digital technology. Proposals that incorporate emerging technologies are encouraged, but the digital approach is expected to add context, interpretation, and interactive engagement for general audiences, grounded in sound humanities scholarship.
Does NEH fund simple digitization or online repositories under this opportunity?
NEH draws a clear distinction between interpretation and simple digitization. Projects are not expected to be merely digital archives or online repositories. Digital components should provide interpretation and engagement, not just storage or access.
What are examples of digital approaches that NEH considers acceptable for this type of project?
Examples described by NEH include:
- Mobile or PDA-style tours and resources
- Podcasts
- Virtual environments
- Wiki-like formats or other user-generated content models
- Virtual imaging
- GIS mapping
- Online scholar-led discussions
- Streaming video
- Games
If a project invites public contributions online, what does NEH expect?
If a project includes public contributions (for example, user-generated content), the application is expected to explain how contributions will be reviewed or vetted by qualified scholars or trained project staff to ensure accuracy and educational value.
What is the award ceiling for this planning grant?
The published award ceiling is $75,000.
Is there a minimum award amount?
No minimum award amount is stated in the published details.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The published details state there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status
- Public and private institutions of higher education
- State governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
Which NEH office sponsors this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Division of Public Programs.
What is the funding opportunity number and CFDA number?
The funding opportunity number is 20090826 GE. The CFDA number is 45.164 (Promotion of the Humanities Public Programs).
When was this opportunity posted and when was the deadline for the listed cycle?
The opportunity was posted on June 22, 2009. The application deadline for that cycle was August 26, 2009, and the record was archived on September 25, 2009.
Where does NEH say applicants can find additional guidance?
The published description notes that additional guidance was historically provided through NEH program guidelines and staff contact information for applicant support.
What is a central expectation for the public experience this program supports?
A central expectation is that projects go beyond presenting information. NEH emphasizes experiences that spark curiosity, encourage dialogue and civic engagement, and support learning for audiences of different ages.
Does NEH encourage combining multiple formats?
Yes. The program nudges applicants to think beyond a single delivery method and to consider combining multiple formats to make humanities content more engaging and accessible.
How does NEH describe the role of scholarship in these projects?
NEH stresses that projects should be grounded in sound humanities scholarship. The planning phase can include consulting with qualified scholars, and digital or interactive elements should be used in ways that enhance public understanding while maintaining accuracy and depth.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (20090826 GE) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Americas Historical and Cultural Organizations Implementation Grants Apply for 20090826 GI Funding Number: 20090826 GI Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Interpreting Americas Historic Places Planning Grants Apply for 20090826 BP Funding Number: 20090826 BP Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Interpreting Americas Historic Places Implementation Grants Apply for 20090826 BR Funding Number: 20090826 BR Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Americas Media Makers Development Grants Apply for 20090826 TD Funding Number: 20090826 TD Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Americas Media Makers Production Grants Apply for 20090826 TR Funding Number: 20090826 TR Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Teaching Development Fellowships Apply for 20091001 FW Funding Number: 20091001 FW Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $21,000 |
| DFG/NEH Bilateral Digital Humanities Program Enriching Digital Collections Apply for 20091008 HG Funding Number: 20091008 HG Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Enduring Questions Pilot Course Grants Apply for 20090915 AQ Funding Number: 20090915 AQ Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Digital Humanities Start Up Grants Apply for 20091006 HD Funding Number: 20091006 HD Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Collaborative Research Apply for 20091029 RZ Funding Number: 20091029 RZ Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Scholarly Editions and Translations Apply for 20091029 RQ Funding Number: 20091029 RQ Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Publication Subventions Apply for SUBVENTIONS 200909 Funding Number: SUBVENTIONS 200909 Agency: National Archives and Records Administration Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| National Digital Newspaper Program Apply for 20091103 PJ Funding Number: 20091103 PJ Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections Apply for 20091208 PF Funding Number: 20091208 PF Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| DFG/NEH Bilateral Symposia and Workshops Apply for 20091029 HW Funding Number: 20091029 HW Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Americas Historical and Cultural Organizations Planning Grants Apply for 20100113 GE Funding Number: 20100113 GE Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Americas Historical and Cultural Organizations Implementation Grants Apply for 20100113 GI Funding Number: 20100113 GI Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Interpreting Americas Historic Places Planning Grants Apply for 20100113 BP Funding Number: 20100113 BP Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Interpreting Americas Historic Places Implementation Grants Apply for 20100113 BR Funding Number: 20100113 BR Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Americas Media Makers Development Grants Apply for 20100113 TD Funding Number: 20100113 TD Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $75,000 |
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