The "Spotlight on Humanities in Higher Education" program, offered by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), provides funding for small projects that aim to enhance humanities education for underserved student populations at colleges and universities. The program supports projects at institutions with fewer than 10,000 undergraduate students, particularly those classified as community colleges, minority-serving institutions, rural colleges and universities, or those where more than 40% of students receive Pell grants. Nonprofit organizations and state, local, or Native American Tribal governments that partner with these institutions are also eligible to apply.

The program offers two funding levels: Exploration grants, with a maximum award of $30,000, and Development grants, capped at $60,000. Exploration grants are intended for early-stage projects, helping institutions begin planning and organizing their efforts. Development grants are for projects that are already underway and need further support to make significant progress. Activities funded may include curriculum or program development, faculty and community partnerships, expert consultations, speaker series, student research opportunities, and creation of teaching resources.

The purpose of this grant is to increase access to humanities education for students from underserved backgrounds and to promote partnerships that can enhance educational opportunities. Eligible projects should lead to measurable improvements in teaching and learning outcomes in the humanities at the applicant institutions. The focus is on advancing community engagement, faculty development, and new teaching resources that can support student success.

To apply, institutions must meet specific eligibility requirements, particularly enrollment thresholds and demographic considerations. Nonprofit organizations or governmental entities must demonstrate partnerships with eligible colleges or universities. The program encourages early planning through optional draft submissions by August 20, 2024, for feedback from NEH program officers. The application deadline is anticipated to be October 7, 2025, with awards announced by April 30, 2026. Projects may start as early as June 1, 2026, or September 1, 2026, depending on the level of readiness.

Prospective applicants are advised to register with Grants.gov and SAM.gov well in advance, as these registrations can take several weeks to process. The NEH also offers an optional live Q&A session and the opportunity to meet with staff to discuss project ideas prior to submission. Additionally, applicants should be aware of updated federal grant regulations that take effect from October 1, 2024, which will impact all NEH awards from that date forward.

Overall, the Spotlight program is designed to help institutions that serve underrepresented students plan or advance humanities projects that improve educational outcomes and broaden access to critical areas of study.