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NEH Scholarly Editions and Translations Grant: FAQs

What is the NEH Scholarly Editions and Translations grant?

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Scholarly Editions and Translations grant funds projects that prepare scholarly editions and/or reliable translations of pre-existing source materials. The goal is to make important texts and documents usable for scholars, students, and the public when the materials are hard to access or only available in incomplete, outdated, or otherwise inadequate editions.

What is the main purpose of this program?

The core purpose is to support careful preparation of research-grade scholarly editions and translations that meet strong academic standards and materially improve access to significant humanities content.

What kinds of projects does this opportunity support?

The program supports projects that create authoritative scholarly editions and/or dependable translations of existing source materials. This often involves establishing an authoritative text, verifying readings, annotating, writing introductions, building scholarly apparatus and notes, and managing editorial and research workflows.

Are translations eligible, or is the program only for editions?

Both are eligible. The opportunity supports the preparation of scholarly editions and/or reliable translations of pre-existing source materials.

Does the program only fund work on books and manuscripts?

No. While major literary, philosophical, and historical works are common, the scope is not limited to conventional books or manuscripts. The program explicitly notes that other kinds of scholarly editorial work are eligible, including areas such as musical notation.

What types of source materials are a good fit for this grant?

The program is intended for significant humanities texts and documents where a new edition or translation would add clear value because existing versions are incomplete, unreliable, out of print, inaccessible, or lacking sufficient scholarly support.

Is the grant meant for creating new original content?

The program is focused on editions and translations of pre-existing source materials (rather than creating entirely new source content). The emphasis is on producing a substantially improved, scholarly presentation of those materials.

What kind of work is typically involved in producing a funded edition or translation?

The opportunity describes work such as establishing an authoritative text, verifying readings, annotating, writing introductions, building editorial apparatus and notes, managing editorial workflows, and handling research and technical tasks. These activities often require multiple roles and complementary expertise.

Can an individual apply?

Yes. Eligible applicants include individuals as well as organizations and governmental entities.

Which organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, private and public institutions of higher education, and government entities at multiple levels (city or township, county, special district, state). Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are also eligible.

Is a team required, or can a single scholar serve as the sole project staff?

A team is required. Applicants must propose at least one editor or translator plus at least one additional staff member. The program expectation is that the project be carried out by a team rather than a single person.

Why does the program require a team?

The required team structure reflects the scope of work typically involved in producing a rigorous edition or translation, including editorial, research, annotation, workflow management, and technical tasks that commonly require multiple roles.

Does the grant support full-time projects, part-time projects, or both?

Both. The program supports full-time and part-time work.

How long can the project period be?

Project periods may range from a minimum of one year to a maximum of three years.

How much funding is available under this opportunity?

The award ceiling is $300,000. No award floor is stated.

Is cost sharing or matching funds required?

No. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds.

What kind of grant is this (formula vs. discretionary)?

Funding is offered as a discretionary grant.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 20111208-RQ, and the CFDA number is 45.161.

Where can applicants find the full program guidelines?

Applicants were directed to the NEH program page at http://www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/editions.html for full guidance and requirements.

When was this opportunity posted and when were applications due (for the cycle shown)?

For the cycle reflected in the provided information, the opportunity was posted on September 16, 2011, and the application deadline was December 8, 2011.

What is the award archive date (for the cycle shown)?

The award archive date listed for the cycle shown is January 7, 2012.

Who can applicants contact with questions about the program?

Program questions were handled by NEH's Division of Research Programs. Applicants could call 202-606-8200 or email editions@neh.gov.

Is there a TDD number for hearing-impaired applicants?

Yes. TDD access for hearing-impaired applicants is available at 1-866-372-2930.

What is the expected outcome of a funded project?

The expectation is that the final product will meet strong academic standards and significantly improve access to important humanities content by producing a scholarly edition and/or reliable translation that is more usable than what is currently available.

What types of humanities fields are commonly supported?

Projects commonly focus on major literary, philosophical, and historical works, especially where existing editions or translations are incomplete, outdated, unreliable, inaccessible, out of print, or lacking scholarly support.