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Americas Media Makers Grants (NEH) - FAQs

1) What is the Americas Media Makers Grants program?

Americas Media Makers Grants is a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) funding opportunity that supports the creation of public-facing media projects grounded in the humanities. It is aimed at projects that use storytelling and interpretation to explore ideas, beliefs, culture, identity, and history in ways that help the public better understand contemporary life and the broader human experience.

2) What kinds of projects is NEH looking for?

NEH is looking for humanities media projects that go beyond simply sharing information. Competitive projects are designed to spark curiosity, invite thoughtful reflection, and encourage civic dialogue and discussion. A major emphasis is on reaching broad audiences and fostering learning for people of different ages and backgrounds.

3) Is the focus strictly on one media format, or can projects use multiple formats?

The program emphasizes broad audience reach and encourages applicants to consider more than one format for sharing humanities content. Examples mentioned include combining broadcast, digital, and public engagement components.

4) What are the main grant types offered under this opportunity?

The opportunity offers two primary grant types: development grants and production grants.

5) What do development grants support?

Development grants fund early and mid-stage work needed to shape a strong humanities media project before full production begins. Supported activities include collaboration between media makers and humanities scholars, research and consultation, preliminary interviews, script development, planning for interactive or digital distribution, and building partnerships that support outreach and public engagement.

6) What deliverables are expected by the end of a development grant?

Development projects are expected to end with a clearer, more refined humanities argument and approach. Typical outcomes include a draft script, a design document, or a prototype of digital components.

7) How prepared should an applicant be before applying for a development grant?

Applicants are expected to come in prepared. The opportunity states applicants should already understand the major scholarship related to their topic, have defined core questions and interpretive goals, consulted a team of scholarly advisers, made initial choices about format and storyline, identified essential source materials, and recruited key media professionals (such as a producer, writer, or interactive designer).

8) What do production grants support?

Production grants support projects that are ready to be made and distributed to the public. These are for projects that are fully developed in content and approach and are prepared to move into production and public distribution.

9) What materials are required to apply for a production grant?

Applicants must submit concrete production materials demonstrating the project is fully developed. Examples listed include a script for a radio or television program, or a prototype or storyboard for a digital media project.

10) What does NEH expect in terms of humanities content for production-stage applications?

The application should demonstrate a strong command of the humanities scholarship and provide clear, compelling interpretation that is suitable for a general audience.

11) What is the Chairman's Special Award?

The Chairman's Special Award is a higher-profile pathway reserved for unusually complex projects with broad public appeal and the potential to reach large audiences while examining important humanities ideas in fresh ways.

12) What kinds of projects are typically associated with the Chairman's Special Award?

According to the opportunity description, these projects often combine multiple formats, involve ambitious collaborations among different institutions, and expand project scope and distribution.

13) Can the Chairman's Special Award be requested at the development stage?

No. The Chairman's Special Award is available only at the production stage, not during development.

14) What agency administers this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is administered by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

15) Is this a discretionary grant program, and what is the CFDA number?

Yes. It is described as a discretionary grant program under CFDA 45.164 (Promotion of the Humanities - Public Programs).

16) What is the maximum funding amount for this opportunity?

The listed funding ceiling is up to $1,000,000.

17) Is there a minimum award amount stated?

No minimum award amount is stated in the information provided.

18) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

19) How many awards does NEH anticipate making?

The opportunity anticipates around 100 awards.

20) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include a broad range of public and nonprofit entities, including 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments (including counties, cities/townships, and special districts), and federally recognized Native American tribal governments.

21) Are tribal governments eligible applicants?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are listed as eligible applicants.

22) Are state and local governments eligible?

Yes. State and local governments are listed as eligible, including counties, cities/townships, and special districts.

23) Are colleges and universities eligible?

Yes. Public and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.

24) Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are listed as eligible applicants.

25) What were the key dates for the specific posting referenced?

For the specific posting referenced, the opportunity was posted on June 10, 2010, the application deadline was August 18, 2010, and the archive date was September 17, 2010.

26) Where can applicants find the full program guidelines?

Full guidelines were provided through NEH at http://www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/AMM.htm.

27) Who can applicants contact with questions?

Questions could be directed to NEH's Division of Public Programs at publicpgms@neh.gov or by phone at 202-606-8269. Mail was directed to the NEH offices in Washington, DC.

28) Is it possible to request examples of successful application materials?

Yes. The opportunity notes that requests for sample successful development narratives could be directed to NEH's Division of Public Programs using the contact information provided.

29) What is the overall public purpose of supported projects?

Supported projects are meant to help the public better understand contemporary life and the broader human experience by exploring humanities topics through storytelling and interpretation, with an emphasis on broad reach and learning across different ages and backgrounds.

30) What role do scholars and advisers play in development-stage projects?

The development grant description highlights collaboration between media makers and humanities scholars, as well as consultation and the expectation that applicants have already consulted a team of scholarly advisers.