The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), through its Division of Education Programs, is offering funding for the 2025 cycle of its Humanities Initiatives programs. These initiatives aim to enhance the teaching and study of the humanities at U.S. institutions of higher education by developing or improving humanities programs, educational resources, or coursework. There are five distinct initiatives under this funding opportunity: Humanities Initiatives at Colleges and Universities, at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), at Tribal Colleges and Universities, and at Community Colleges. Each initiative has tailored eligibility requirements, but all fall under a unified application process and share a common objective of strengthening humanities education through institutionally grounded projects.

Projects supported by this funding must focus on core humanities topics or thematic areas such as history, philosophy, literature, comparative religion, or humanities-informed writing and composition. Funded activities may include curriculum development, student enrichment efforts, faculty development programs, and partnerships with community or educational organizations. Examples include the creation of majors or certificate programs, humanities-based internship frameworks, and interdisciplinary teaching materials. Projects may last from one to three years, and NEH places equal value on projects of varying scope and duration.

The award offers up to $150,000 in funding per project with no cost sharing or matching requirement. NEH expects to allocate approximately $3.75 million across all five program areas in FY 2026, resulting in about 25 awards. The award period must begin between February 1 and September 1, 2026. Projects must be managed by U.S.-accredited public or 501(c)(3) private institutions of higher education. Additional eligibility criteria apply based on the specific initiative. For instance, HSIs must verify eligibility through the U.S. Department of Education’s Eligibility Matrix or submit qualifying documentation.

Applicants are required to submit a complete application through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 6, 2025. A draft of the application may be submitted for optional feedback by March 25, 2025. A live Q&A session will be held on March 4, 2025, at 2 p.m. Eastern, and pre-recorded webinars will be made available by February 6, 2025, on each program’s resource page. The anticipated award notification date is December 2025. Required application components include a narrative (limited to eight pages), work plan, résumés, letters of support, and a budget, among others.

Applications will be evaluated using three primary criteria: intellectual quality, design quality and feasibility, and potential for significant impact. These correspond to specific narrative components such as rationale, activities, personnel, and dissemination strategies. NEH emphasizes clarity, coherence, and alignment with institutional priorities in all application materials.

For additional guidance or questions, applicants can contact the NEH Division of Education at hi@neh.gov or by phone at 202-606-2324. Telecommunications relay is available via 7-1-1. Further support for administrative or budgetary questions is available through the NEH Office of Grant Management at grantmanagement@neh.gov or 202-606-8494.