The Awards for Faculty programs from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) aim to support humanities research and scholarship at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). These programs are designed to encourage individual faculty and staff at these institutions to pursue humanities research that contributes to scholarly fields, enhances teaching, and may benefit broader communities. Projects may include work leading to books, peer-reviewed articles, digital resources, translations, and curriculum enhancements.

The purpose of this initiative is to provide faculty and staff at eligible minority-serving institutions with time and support to undertake research and writing in the humanities. Applicants can work on scholarly projects at any stage of development and propose outcomes that include curricular improvements or the development of workshops, particularly for TCU faculty. Research topics may cover a wide array of disciplines including history, literature, languages, philosophy, arts criticism, and more. The NEH encourages projects that align with institutional or community interests and support cultural or language preservation.

The funding scope allows recipients to work half-time to full-time for periods ranging from two to twelve months. Each full-time month is supported at a rate of $5,000, with awards ranging from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $60,000. The estimated total program funding is $1.5 million, expected to support approximately 22 grants across the three faculty award programs. There is no cost-sharing requirement. Projects must begin between January 1, 2026, and September 1, 2027.

Eligible applicants include full-time, part-time, adjunct, and retired faculty and staff affiliated with eligible HSIs, HBCUs, or TCUs. Retired applicants must not be employed by another institution. U.S. citizens and certain long-term residents are eligible. Institutions must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, and eligibility may be verified through specific government databases and documentation.

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by April 9, 2025. Draft narratives and work plans can be submitted for informal review by February 14, 2025, for institutions that are not classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. Required application components include a narrative, work plan, bibliography, and résumé, with additional optional or conditional materials based on project specifics. The proposal must adhere to strict formatting and file naming conventions. Two reference letters are required by May 14, 2025.

Evaluation criteria include the intellectual significance of the project, clarity and feasibility of the plan of work, the applicant’s qualifications, and the potential for project completion and dissemination. Applications will undergo peer review and be evaluated by the NEH National Council on the Humanities. Award notifications are expected in December 2025.