Grants for State governments - Humanities

The "Spotlight on Humanities in Higher Education" grant provides funding to enhance humanities education for underserved student populations at small colleges and universities, supporting projects that improve teaching and learning outcomes in the humanities.

This funding program supports the operation of State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) in the 50 states, 5 territories, 3 Freely Associated States, and District of Columbia within allowable program areas described in the Historic Preservation Fund Grants Manual. Where relevant, staff and projects must comply with the appropriate Secretary of the Interiors Standards.The purposes of this program are to provide matching grants to States for the identification, evaluation, and protection of historic properties by such means as: survey, planning, technical assistance, physical preservation, Federal tax incentives available for historic properties, nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, distribution of funding to Certified Local Governments, and to assist Federal, State, and Local Government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private individuals in carrying out historic preservation activities. Awards under this program must comply with and support 54 U.S.C. 3001 et seq. (commonly known as the National Historic Preservation Act).

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state, local, and tribal governments, along with housing authorities, to improve housing access and services for individuals transitioning from incarceration, aiming to reduce recidivism and promote successful community reintegration.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations and accredited educational institutions to establish collaborative research centers that investigate the societal and cultural impacts of artificial intelligence in the United States.

The National Park Service, following its Management Policies (2006) seeks to work with partners to collaboratively conduct a variety of activities, including, but not limited to the named studies outlined in NPS-28: Cultural Resource Management Guideline: Archeological Identification/Evaluation Studies Archival Records Management Plans Bibliographic and historiographic essays Collection Management Plan (CMP) Cultural Affiliation Study and Lineal Descent Studies Cultural Landscapes Inventory (CLI) Cultural Resources Geographical Information System (CRGIS) Studies. Cultural Resources Management Bibliography (CRBIB) Development Concept Plan Discover our Shared Heritage Travel Itineraries Ethnohistory and Ethnography Exhibit Plan and Design (EPD) General Management Plan (GMP) HABS/HAER/HALS documentation, Historic Resource Study (HRS) Historic structure report (HSR) List of Classified Structures (LCS) National Catalog of Museum Objects National Heritage Area Plans and Evaluations National Historic Landmark Documentation and Theme Studies National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom studies National Register of Historic Places Documentation and Bulletins National Maritime Initiative Inventory Oral History interviews, transcription and archival processing Park and Program Administrative History Peer Review Teaching with Historic Places Lesson Plans

This grant provides funding to U.S. nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and Native American tribes to create online editions of historical records, particularly focusing on the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

This grant provides financial assistance to Native American tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and museums for the repatriation of human remains and cultural items to their rightful communities.

To implement a project aimed at advancing U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities outlined in the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act of 2022 (Div. A, P.L. 117-167). The Act established a new International Technology Security and Innovation Fund (ITSI Fund) to to support the development and adoption of secure semiconductors, [and] semiconductor supply chains with the goal to make the global semiconductor supply chain more resilient, diversified, and secure.

This program provides funding to small museums across the U.S. to improve educational programs, exhibit development, and community engagement initiatives.

The GIVE Washington County Fund Grants, offered by the Washington County Community Foundation in Pennsylvania, is inviting applications from eligible nonprofits, governmental or educational institutions for a flexible grant of up to $10,000, to be used in eight focus areas including animal welfare, arts, community improvement, conservation, education, health, human needs, and religion, excluding general operating or routine program support.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to rural libraries in Oregon to create community-focused humanities events that explore themes related to public life and community engagement.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to small and mid-sized institutions for preserving their valuable humanities collections, including archives and historical artifacts, with a focus on enhancing preservation practices and infrastructure.

This funding opportunity supports educational and training projects for professionals at cultural institutions focused on preserving and providing access to humanities collections, such as archives, rare books, and audiovisual materials.

This funding opportunity supports professional development programs for higher education faculty and K-12 educators to deepen their understanding of the humanities through intensive study and collaboration.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies to improve online access to historical records, particularly those that highlight the contributions and histories of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, as well as early legal documents related to the evolution of U.S. democracy.

With this solicitation, BJA seeks to support efforts by both wrongful conviction review (WCR) entities, which represent individuals with post-conviction claims of innocence to review individual cases, and conviction integrity or review units (CIUs) to enhance criminal justice system integrity. This includes a category to select a training and technical assistance (TTA) provider to ensure WCR and CIUs entities and the field obtain the skills, training, and information on the latest practices to safeguard the integrity of convictions and support post-conviction review of claims of wrongful convictions. The TTA provider will also build and maintain a database for the field on exonerations.

This grant provides financial support to tax-exempt organizations in Boone County, Iowa, for projects that enhance community well-being in areas such as arts, education, health, and environmental protection.

The Museums for America (MFA) grant program, administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), provides funding to support strategic, project-based efforts that help museums of all types and sizes serve their communities. The program’s primary focus is on enhancing museums' abilities to provide public exhibitions, educational programs, professional development, audience engagement, and collections care. Through this funding opportunity, projects must align with the goals of lifelong learning, community engagement, or collections stewardship and access. Applicants are required to demonstrate how their proposed activities will advance their museum’s strategic goals and generate measurable outcomes for their audiences and communities. The total anticipated funding for the Museums for America program in fiscal year 2025 is approximately $21,699,000. IMLS expects to make around 122 awards, with grants ranging between $5,000 and $250,000. The average award size in previous years has been approximately $177,860. Projects must begin on or after September 1, 2025, and have a performance period of one to three years. A one-to-one cost share (matching funds) is required for all awards under this program, with the cost share contributed from non-federal sources. Eligible applicants include museums that are nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, tribal organizations, or units of state or local government located in the United States, its territories, or freely associated states. Museums must operate on a permanent basis for educational, cultural, or aesthetic purposes, exhibit objects to the public regularly, and employ professional staff. Institutions operating as discrete units within parent organizations may apply independently if they meet specific eligibility criteria, including having their own budgets and operational authority. The application requires a project narrative that addresses three core components: project justification, project work plan, and project results. The narrative must explain the need or challenge the project addresses, the specific activities and resources required to implement the project, and the intended outcomes for audiences or collections. Supporting documents, such as resumes of key staff, a performance measurement plan, budget justifications, and optional letters of commitment or partnership, are also required. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on November 15, 2024. The peer review process evaluates applications based on alignment with MFA program goals, clarity of the work plan, qualifications of project staff, and the likelihood of achieving meaningful and lasting results. IMLS prioritizes projects that incorporate best practices, foster community collaboration, and promote access to collections or programs for underserved audiences. Applicants are encouraged to focus on sustainability, ensuring the benefits of their project will continue beyond the funding period. Award notifications are expected in August 2025, with detailed reviewer feedback provided to both successful and unsuccessful applicants. Post-award requirements include submitting interim and final financial and performance reports and adhering to federal regulations on cost principles and award administration. For technical assistance, IMLS program staff are available to answer questions and provide resources to help applicants develop competitive proposals.

The National Park Services (NPS) History of Equal Rights Grant Program (HER) will preserve sites related to the struggle of all Americans to achieve equal rights. HER grants are funded by the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), administered by the NPS, and will fund a broad range of preservation projects for historic sites including: architectural services, historic structure reports, preservation plans, and physical preservation to structures. Grants are awarded through a competitive process and do not require non-Federal match.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and educational institutions in creating public exhibitions and programs that explore key themes of American history and culture, engaging diverse audiences through humanities scholarship.