NEA Research Labs, FY2016 | Apply Online

FAQs: NEA Research Labs, FY2016 (NEAPS1602; CFDA 45.024)

What is the NEA Research Labs, FY2016 opportunity?

NEA Research Labs, FY2016 (Funding Opportunity Number NEAPS1602; CFDA 45.024) is a discretionary National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) program offered through a Cooperative Agreement to support organized research "labs" that generate credible, empirical evidence about the value and impact of the arts.

What is the purpose of this program?

The purpose is to expand the NEA research portfolio by funding transdisciplinary research partnerships rooted in the social and behavioral sciences. The program aims to produce rigorous findings about the arts that are useful not only to the arts sector, but also to non-arts fields such as health, education, and economic development.

What does NEA mean by a research "lab" in this context?

In practical terms, a research "lab" is an organized partnership that sets a focused research agenda, carries out a coordinated set of studies, and shares results in ways that meaningfully advance broader public understanding.

What are the three core expectations for an NEA Research Lab?

Each NEA Research Lab is expected to (1) define a clear research agenda, (2) conduct a research program that implements that agenda, and (3) prepare reports that substantively contribute to knowledge in one of the NEA priority areas.

What are the NEA priority research areas for this solicitation?

The solicitation identifies three priority areas: (1) The Arts, Health, and Social/Emotional Well-Being; (2) The Arts, Creativity, Cognition, and Learning; and (3) The Arts, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation.

What topics fit under "The Arts, Health, and Social/Emotional Well-Being"?

This area includes research on how arts participation and arts-based interventions relate to physical health outcomes, mental health, and community or individual well-being.

What topics fit under "The Arts, Creativity, Cognition, and Learning"?

This area covers how the arts connect to creative thinking, brain and cognitive processes, academic learning, and educational development.

What topics fit under "The Arts, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation"?

This area emphasizes how the arts intersect with business formation, creative enterprise, workforce development, and innovation systems.

What kind of evidence is the NEA looking for?

The NEA is looking for credible, empirical evidence that can stand up to scrutiny, speaks to real-world outcomes, and is relevant to policy and practice.

What funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?

The award mechanism is a Cooperative Agreement.

How is a Cooperative Agreement different from a standard grant (based on this listing)?

This listing notes that a Cooperative Agreement typically indicates a more involved relationship between the funder and recipient than a standard grant, potentially including coordination, shared expectations around deliverables, or technical involvement during the project period.

When can the project start, and how long can it last?

The project period is set to begin no earlier than March 1, 2017, and may run for up to 24 months.

What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum funding amount listed is an award ceiling of $150,000.

How many awards does the NEA expect to make?

The opportunity notes that expected awards are not specified in the provided listing. Applicants would need to consult the full solicitation or NEA communications for guidance on the likely number of awards.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility includes: state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in that category); and private institutions of higher education.

Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status are eligible, excluding higher education institutions that fall under that nonprofit category as stated in the listing.

Are institutions of higher education eligible?

Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education are eligible, and private institutions of higher education are also eligible.

Are government entities eligible?

Yes. Eligible government entities include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and special district governments.

Are independent school districts eligible?

Yes. Independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.

Are federally recognized tribal governments eligible?

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

Can an organization submit more than one proposal?

No. A key restriction is that an organization may submit only one proposal under this program solicitation, so applicants need to coordinate internally and select a single strongest concept.

What are the key dates for this opportunity?

The posted and created date is May 17, 2016, and the closing date is July 12, 2016 (the original and current closing date are the same).

What is the overall goal of the reporting requirement?

The program expects labs to prepare reports that substantively contribute to knowledge in one of the NEA priority areas and to share results in ways that meaningfully advance broader public understanding.

Is this program limited to arts-sector outcomes only?

No. The intent is to inform the arts sector and also produce findings useful to non-arts fields such as health, education, and economic development.

Does the program emphasize cross-disciplinary collaboration?

Yes. The program is described as supporting transdisciplinary research partnerships rooted in the social and behavioral sciences.