The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) invites applications for the Humanities Research Centers on Artificial Intelligence program. This initiative aims to foster the development of humanities research centers dedicated to examining the ethical, legal, and societal implications of artificial intelligence (AI). The grant supports the creation of new research centers at eligible institutions in the United States, promoting collaborative and interdisciplinary inquiry that integrates humanities perspectives into discussions about AI. Existing centers are ineligible; only new centers focused on humanities-driven questions related to AI are eligible to apply.

The program offers funding of up to $750,000, divided between $500,000 in outright funds and up to $250,000 in federal matching funds, to support the creation and operation of a center over a period of up to three years. These centers are expected to produce a mix of scholarly outputs, which may include lecture series, workshops, colloquia, digital resources, curriculum development, or publications aimed at both scholarly and public audiences. The grant encourages a focus on collaborative research, education, and public engagement activities that address key ethical, legal, and societal issues surrounding AI. Centers should also establish a strong foundation for long-term sustainability and ongoing scholarly activity.

Eligible applicants must submit their applications by December 11, 2024. To provide early feedback, NEH offers the option to submit a draft prospectus by October 2, 2024, using the required prospectus template. NEH will accept these optional prospectuses until October 16, 2024, for institutions affected by Hurricane Helene in specific states. Institutions may only submit one application, although separate applications are permitted from different branch campuses. Centers must include scholars from various fields but should be led by humanities researchers, and U.S.-based institutions are required to play a significant role even in international collaborations.

The centers are intended to advance knowledge and generate discourse on AI's humanities aspects, and applicants should design projects that include at least two key activities. These may include research collaborations, lectures, public events, or the development of digital tools that foster discussions on AI ethics and societal impact. Additionally, this program is part of NEH’s Humanities Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence initiative, which encompasses multiple programs to support research on AI’s impact from humanities perspectives.

Applicants should note recent changes to the Uniform Administrative Requirements (2 CFR Part 200), which apply to NEH awards issued on or after October 1, 2024. These updates are pertinent to compliance and cost principles and should be incorporated into applications. The expected award notification date is August 31, 2025, with project start dates ranging from October 1, 2025, to September 1, 2026. Application materials, including the full instructions and prospectus template, are available on Grants.gov.