Opportunity Information: Apply for 2026NEA01ORALABS
Apply for 2026NEA01ORALABS
- The National Endowment for the Arts in the arts sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NEA Research Labs, FY 2027" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.024.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-02-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-03-23. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is offering the NEA Research Labs, FY 2027 grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: 2026NEA01ORALABS) to support large, team-based research efforts that expand what the public and the field know about the arts and their value to people and communities. This is a discretionary grant program in the arts (CFDA 45.024) designed specifically for transdisciplinary research teams, meaning applicants are expected to bring together expertise from multiple fields (for example, arts practice, social science, education, public health, economics, data science, and community-based research) to study the arts from more than one angle. The core aim is to produce credible, useful knowledge about the arts and their contributions to individuals, communities, and society at large, and to make that knowledge accessible through practical outputs.
A key feature of this opportunity is that each funded Research Lab is expected to function as a coordinated research program rather than a single study. In practice, that means the Lab will conduct multiple research studies under a common theme or set of research questions and will also develop a suite of products or services. Those deliverables could take many forms depending on the Lab's focus, such as reports and briefs for public audiences, research tools or datasets, measurement frameworks, training materials, convenings, online resources, or other services that help stakeholders apply findings in real settings. The emphasis on a "suite" of outputs signals that the NEA is looking for projects that not only generate findings, but also translate those findings into usable resources for practitioners, policymakers, educators, and community organizations.
Eligibility is broad and includes public and private entities across government, education, and the nonprofit sector. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education under that category). This breadth allows for many possible lead applicants, including universities, arts service organizations, research nonprofits, and governmental or tribal entities, with the expectation that successful Labs will typically be built around partnerships that reflect the transdisciplinary nature of the work.
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $300,000, and the NEA anticipates making about 4 awards under this competition. The original application closing date is March 23, 2026. The opportunity was created on February 13, 2026. Overall, NEA Research Labs, FY 2027 is structured for applicants with the capacity to plan and manage several related studies, coordinate collaboration across disciplines and organizations, and produce research-based outputs that strengthen public understanding of how the arts matter and how arts-related benefits and outcomes can be documented, explained, and shared.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NEA Research Labs, FY 2027
What is the NEA Research Labs, FY 2027 grant opportunity?
NEA Research Labs, FY 2027 is a discretionary grant program from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) that supports large, team-based research efforts. The purpose is to expand what the public and the field know about the arts and their value to people and communities through credible, useful, and accessible research and related outputs.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 2026NEA01ORALABS.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The program is listed as CFDA 45.024.
What is the main goal of NEA Research Labs?
The core aim is to produce credible and useful knowledge about the arts and their contributions to individuals, communities, and society at large, and to make that knowledge accessible through practical outputs that stakeholders can use in real-world settings.
What does the NEA mean by "large, team-based research efforts"?
This opportunity is designed for research efforts carried out by teams rather than individuals, and it emphasizes coordinated work that draws on multiple areas of expertise. The expectation is that a Research Lab will be capable of planning and managing several related studies and producing multiple outputs.
What does "transdisciplinary" mean in this funding opportunity?
In this program, "transdisciplinary" means applicants are expected to bring together expertise from multiple fields to study the arts from more than one angle. Examples of relevant fields mentioned include arts practice, social science, education, public health, economics, data science, and community-based research.
Is this grant meant for a single research study?
No. Each funded Research Lab is expected to function as a coordinated research program rather than a single study. That means the Lab will conduct multiple research studies under a common theme or set of research questions.
What kinds of activities are Research Labs expected to carry out?
Funded Labs are expected to conduct multiple research studies connected by a shared theme or research questions, and to translate findings into a suite of products or services that help others apply the research.
What kinds of deliverables or outputs does the NEA expect from a Research Lab?
The opportunity emphasizes a "suite" of outputs. Deliverables can take many forms depending on the Lab's focus, including reports and briefs for public audiences, research tools or datasets, measurement frameworks, training materials, convenings, online resources, or other services that help stakeholders apply findings in real settings.
Why does the NEA emphasize a "suite" of outputs?
The emphasis signals that the NEA is looking for projects that do more than generate research findings. Labs are expected to translate knowledge into usable resources for practitioners, policymakers, educators, and community organizations.
Who is eligible to apply for NEA Research Labs, FY 2027?
Eligibility is broad and includes public and private entities across government, education, and the nonprofit sector. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education under that nonprofit category).
Can a university apply as the lead applicant?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicant types.
Can a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization apply?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status are eligible, excluding institutions of higher education under that nonprofit category.
Can a local or state government agency apply?
Yes. Eligible government applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and special district governments.
Can an independent school district apply?
Yes. Independent school districts are explicitly listed as eligible applicants.
Are federally recognized tribal governments eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are included in the eligible applicant categories.
Does the program expect partnerships?
Yes. While eligibility includes many types of organizations that can serve as lead applicants, the opportunity describes the expectation that successful Labs will typically be built around partnerships that reflect the transdisciplinary nature of the work.
What is the maximum award amount for this opportunity?
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $300,000.
How many awards does the NEA expect to make?
The NEA anticipates making about 4 awards under this competition.
When is the application deadline?
The original application closing date is March 23, 2026.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on February 13, 2026.
What kinds of research topics fit this program?
This opportunity supports research that expands understanding of the arts and their value, including how the arts contribute to individuals, communities, and society. It also highlights documenting, explaining, and sharing arts-related benefits and outcomes.
What capabilities should an applicant have to be competitive?
The program is structured for applicants with the capacity to plan and manage several related studies, coordinate collaboration across disciplines and organizations, and produce research-based outputs that strengthen public understanding of how the arts matter.
Who are the intended audiences for the Lab's outputs?
The opportunity emphasizes making knowledge accessible and usable, with examples of audiences that include practitioners, policymakers, educators, and community organizations, as well as public audiences through reports and briefs.
How should a Research Lab be organized conceptually?
A Lab should be organized as a coordinated research program with multiple studies tied to a common theme or set of research questions, paired with a set of practical products or services that translate the research into usable resources.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (2026NEA01ORALABS) also looked into and applied for these:
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| NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert and Related Events, FY 2027 Apply for NEAPS2603 Funding Number: NEAPS2603 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $475,000 |
| Annual Program Statement for U.S. Presentation at International Architecture Biennales Apply for DFOP0017180 Funding Number: DFOP0017180 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Arts Funding Amount: $381,000 |
| NEA Grants for Arts Projects 2, FY 2027 Apply for 2026NEA01GAP2 Funding Number: 2026NEA01GAP2 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| NEA National Heritage Fellowships Awards Program, FY 2027 Apply for NEAPS2601 Funding Number: NEAPS2601 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $820,000 |
| Partnership Agreement Grants, FY 2027 Apply for 2027NEA04PA Funding Number: 2027NEA04PA Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Creative Industries Film Lab and Residency - American Film Showcase 2026 Apply for PAS JAKARTA FY26 05 Funding Number: PAS JAKARTA FY26 05 Agency: U.S. Mission to Indonesia Category: Arts Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| NEA Arts and Artifacts International Indemnity Program 1, FY2027 (9/26) Apply for 2027FCAH01 Funding Number: 2027FCAH01 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| NEA Arts and Artifacts International Indemnity Program 2, FY2027 (3/27) Apply for 2027FCAH02 Funding Number: 2027FCAH02 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| NEA Arts and Artifacts Domestic Indemnity Program 1, FY2027 (12/26) Apply for 2027FCAHDOM01 Funding Number: 2027FCAHDOM01 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| NEA Arts and Artifacts Domestic Indemnity Program 2, FY2027 (12/26) Apply for 2027FCAHDOM02 Funding Number: 2027FCAHDOM02 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Reel American: The Road to the Olympic Rings Apply for PAS JOR FY26 004 Funding Number: PAS JOR FY26 004 Agency: U.S. Mission to Jordan Category: Arts Funding Amount: $100,000 |
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