The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) offers two research grant opportunities aligned with its five-year research agenda: Research Grants in the Arts and NEA Research Labs. Research Grants in the Arts support studies that explore the value and impact of the arts on individuals or communities and their interaction with broader societal domains. NEA Research Labs focus on multidisciplinary research teams from the social and behavioral sciences to produce empirical insights into the arts, benefiting both arts and non-arts sectors. A subsequent renewal award may be possible for NEA Research Labs projects based on agency priorities, funding availability, performance, and review processes.

The purpose of these grants is to expand understanding of the arts’ influence and integration into various aspects of American life. Research Grants in the Arts aim to measure and investigate the arts' contributions to individuals, communities, and systems. NEA Research Labs foster collaboration between researchers and arts practitioners to develop findings that inform arts practices and policies across sectors.

Research Grants in the Arts provide funding between $20,000 and $100,000, while NEA Research Labs offer between $100,000 and $300,000. Both programs require a 1:1 cost share or match. Eligible applicants for Research Grants in the Arts include nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations, state or local government units, and federally recognized tribal communities. For NEA Research Labs, eligible applicants include U.S. higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations with at least three years of experience conducting behavioral or social science research and disseminating findings. NEA Research Labs applicants must also demonstrate a confirmed partnership with either an arts organization or an individual artist. Individuals, for-profit entities, and applications submitted via fiscal sponsors are ineligible.

Applications require a two-part submission process. Applicants must first register with Login.gov, SAM.gov, and Grants.gov, which can take several weeks. Part 1 involves submitting a Federal Domestic Assistance/Short Organization Form via Grants.gov, while Part 2 includes completing a Grant Application Form in the NEA Applicant Portal. The estimated time to complete an application is approximately 26 hours. Detailed instructions and application questions are available in the provided Program Guidelines and Application Instructions.

Key dates for the 2025 funding cycle include the publication of Program Guidelines in January 2025 and the availability of Part 1 applications on Grants.gov in mid-February 2025. Part 1 submissions are due by March 24, 2025, with the NEA Applicant Portal opening on March 27, 2025, for Part 2 submissions, which are due by April 3, 2025. Funding decisions will be communicated by November 2025, with the earliest project start date being January 1, 2026.

Applicants are encouraged to review the full Program Guidelines for comprehensive eligibility criteria, evaluation details, and award management requirements. Additional resources such as webinars, Q&A sessions, and technical assistance materials are available to assist applicants. Interested organizations are advised to plan ahead for registration and submission deadlines to ensure a timely application.