The Humanities Research Centers on Artificial Intelligence program, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), supports the creation of new research centers dedicated to exploring the ethical, legal, and societal implications of artificial intelligence (AI). These centers are intended to foster collaboration among scholars, with a primary focus on humanities-driven questions. While the program encourages interdisciplinary participation, it mandates that centers be led by humanists and maintain a humanities-centered approach to their research agendas. Scholars from multiple institutions, including international collaborators, may participate, but substantial contributions from U.S.-based scholars are required. Existing centers or institutes are ineligible for this funding opportunity, and institutions may submit only one application per competition cycle, though separate branch campuses are considered distinct institutions and may each submit an application.

Successful projects will focus on both research and outreach activities, with the expectation that they will establish sustainable centers that address AI's broader implications. Funded centers must engage in at least two key activities, which might include collaborative research, public lecture series, workshops, mentoring initiatives, curriculum development, digital publications, or other forms of public scholarship. The goal is to create spaces for sustained intellectual inquiry and to disseminate knowledge to academic and public audiences. Proposals may include digital tools or platforms designed to facilitate scholarly discourse on AI-related topics.

The maximum award for this program is $750,000, with $500,000 available as outright funds and an additional $250,000 provided as federal matching funds. Projects may span up to three years. The next anticipated application availability date is September 10, 2025, with a submission deadline expected on December 10, 2025. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by August 31, 2026, and projects are expected to begin between October 1, 2026, and September 1, 2027.

Applicants have the option to submit a prospectus for feedback before submitting a full application. This prospectus must follow the template provided under the program’s application instructions and must be emailed to NEH by October 2, 2024. Only one prospectus per institution will be reviewed.

The program is part of NEH’s broader Humanities Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence initiative, which aims to encourage humanities-driven inquiry into AI's societal impacts. Prospective applicants should be aware of updates to federal grant regulations (2 CFR Part 200) effective October 1, 2024, which will apply to all awards issued after that date.

In its inaugural funding cycle, the program received 97 applications and awarded grants to 5 projects, resulting in a funding ratio of approximately 5%. Additional details, including pre-application webinar resources and submission guidelines, are available through the NEH’s website and program contacts.