[National Endowment for the Humanities](https://www.neh.gov)

April 22, 2026 (Full application) | May 6, 2026 (Letters of reference)

$30,000–$60,000 per award (2–12 months, $5,000/month); ~5 awards; no cost sharing required.

Supports individual HBCU faculty pursuing research projects in American history, culture, or Western civilization.

--- ## Description This funding opportunity from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) provides grants to individual faculty and staff members at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to undertake research projects in the humanities. For the 2026 cycle, only projects focused on American history and culture or Western civilization are eligible. The program aims to strengthen humanities research at HBCUs by supporting projects that may lead to books, articles, digital resources, course enhancements, or other scholarly outcomes. Awards provide recipients with dedicated time for writing, research, travel, and related scholarly activities. --- ## Due Dates - **April 22, 2026:** Full application submission deadline (by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time via Grants.gov) - **May 6, 2026:** Letters of reference submission deadline (must be submitted online) Applicants are responsible for ensuring all materials, including reference letters, are submitted by their respective deadlines. --- ## Funding Amount - **Award size:** $30,000 to $60,000 per individual (calculated at $5,000 per month for full-time work; prorated for part-time) - **Award duration:** 2 to 12 months (full-time equivalent) - **Estimated total program funding:** $300,000 - **Expected number of awards:** Approximately 5 - **Cost sharing/matching:** Not required - **Payment:** Awards are paid directly to individuals --- ## Eligibility - **Who may apply:** Individual faculty or staff (full-time, part-time, adjunct, or retired) at HBCUs as designated by the U.S. Department of Education at the time of application. - **Citizenship:** U.S. citizens (domestic or abroad) or foreign nationals who have lived in the U.S. or its jurisdictions for at least three years prior to the deadline. - **Degree status:** Not open to currently enrolled students. - **Other NEH awards:** Applicants may not hold or accept another NEH individual award with overlapping periods or in the same fiscal year. - **Retired applicants:** Must not be employed by another institution at the time of application. --- ## Application Process 1. **Review Materials:** Read both the [Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)](https://www.neh.gov/sites/default/files/Individual%20NOFO%20combined_0.pdf) and the [2026 Program Announcement](https://www.neh.gov/sites/default/files/Awards%20for%20Faculty%20at%20HBCUs%202026%20program%20announcement.pdf) for detailed requirements. 2. **Register:** Create an account and an individual applicant profile at [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/). 3. **Prepare Application:** Complete the Grants.gov forms and required attachments (narrative, work plan, bibliography, résumé, etc.) according to formatting instructions. 4. **Submit:** Upload your application package via [Grants.gov](https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/361391) by the deadline. 5. **Reference Letters:** Provide recommender details in your application; NEH will solicit letters directly. Letters must be submitted online by May 6, 2026. 6. **Confirmation of Institutional Support:** Recommended with application; required if selected for funding. --- ## Additional Information - **Eligible project types:** Research leading to books, articles, digital resources, course enhancements, or projects supporting institutional/community goals. - **Project focus:** Only research in American history and culture or Western civilization is eligible for the 2026 competition. - **Period of performance:** Must be continuous; can combine part-time and full-time work, but at least half-time commitment is required. - **Restrictions:** Awards may not be used for projects outside the scope of the competition, including creative writing, policy studies, or projects not grounded in the humanities. - **Reporting:** Final performance report required within 120 days of project completion. --- ## External Links - [Program page and application instructions](https://www.neh.gov/grants/research/awards-faculty-historically-black-colleges-and-universities) - [2026 Program Announcement (PDF)](https://www.neh.gov/sites/default/files/Awards%20for%20Faculty%20at%20HBCUs%202026%20program%20announcement.pdf) - [Notice of Funding Opportunity (PDF)](https://www.neh.gov/sites/default/files/Individual%20NOFO%20combined_0.pdf) - [Apply via Grants.gov](https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/361391) - [Sample application narratives](https://www.neh.gov/grants/research/awards-faculty-historically-black-colleges-and-universities#instructions) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | Email | Phone | |--------------------------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|--------------| | Program questions | Division of Research, NEH | facultyawards@neh.gov | 202-606-8200 | | Grant management/admin | Office of Grant Management, NEH | grantmanagement@neh.gov | 202-606-8494 | | General NEH info | National Endowment for the Humanities | info@neh.gov | 202-606-8400 | If you are deaf or hard of hearing, contact NEH using telecommunications relay at 7-1-1.

Awards for Faculty at HBCUs

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