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

May 11, 2026 | December 15, 2026

$50,000–$500,000 per award (up to 3 years); ~$14 million total program funding; ~50 awards expected

Supports preservation and increased access to physical and digital humanities collections, including planning, conservation, digitization, and education/training projects.

--- ## Description This program from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) provides funding to advance the preservation and availability of physical and digital collections critical for research, teaching, and public engagement in the humanities. The grant supports a range of activities, including conservation and preservation, digitization and description, enhancement of digital resources, and education or training for collections stewardship. Projects may include planning or implementation phases and can serve libraries, archives, museums, educational institutions, and organizations providing preservation services. --- ## Due Dates - May 11, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time - December 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time --- ## Funding Amount - Applicants may request between $50,000 and $500,000 per award, inclusive of direct and indirect costs. - Level 1 (Planning): $50,000–$100,000 - Level 2 (Implementation): $100,001–$350,000 - Level 3 (Implementation, multi-organization): $350,001–$500,000 - Period of performance: up to 3 years - Estimated total program funding: ~$14,000,000 - Expected number of awards: ~50 - No cost sharing or match required --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants include: - Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status - Accredited public or nonprofit institutions of higher education - State and local governments and their agencies - Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments Additional notes: - Individuals, for-profit entities, and foreign organizations are not eligible. - The applicant organization must be actively involved in the project’s intellectual or programmatic work (not solely as a fiscal agent). - Multiple applications for distinct projects are allowed per deadline, but an individual may not serve as project director for more than one application to this program per cycle. --- ## Application Process 1. **Review Program Materials** - Carefully read the [Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)](https://www.neh.gov/program/collections-stewardship). - Review the [General Application Guide for Awards to Organizations (PDF)](https://www.neh.gov/sites/default/files/NEH%20General%20Application%20Guide%2002-24-2026.pdf). 2. **Register** - Register or update your organization’s accounts in [SAM.gov](https://sam.gov/) and [Grants.gov](https://grants.gov/). Allow several weeks for registration. - Each project must have a unique Grants.gov Workspace submission. 3. **Prepare Application** - Required components include: narrative, outputs, work plan, list of personnel, biographies, and (if applicable) letters of commitment/support, supporting documentation, subrecipient budgets, and indirect cost rate agreements. - Follow all formatting, file naming, and page limit requirements as outlined in the NOFO. 4. **Submit Application** - Submit via [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361480) by the stated deadline. - You will receive a confirmation and subsequent notifications from Grants.gov regarding application status. 5. **Review Process** - Applications are reviewed for eligibility and completeness, then evaluated by peer reviewers according to published criteria (significance, activities, sustainability, personnel, and budget). --- ## Additional Information - **Allowable Activities:** Conservation, digitization, cataloging, assessment, training, and enhancement of digital resources. - **Restrictions:** No funding for construction, capital improvements, acquisition of collections, creation/performance of art, policy studies, or projects outside the humanities. DEI/DEIA, environmental justice, and advocacy activities are not supported. - **Indirect Costs:** May be included; provide a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement if applicable, or use the 15% de minimis rate. - **Reporting:** Annual and final financial and performance reports required. --- ## External Links - [NEH Collections Stewardship Program Page](https://www.neh.gov/program/collections-stewardship) - [Notice of Funding Opportunity, 2026 (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Collections-Stewardship-2026-NOFO.pdf) - [General Application Guide for Awards to Organizations (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/NEH-General-Application-Guide-02242026.pdf) - [Grants.gov Listing and Application Portal](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361480) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Details | |----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Program Questions | Division of Collections and Infrastructure
National Endowment for the Humanities
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, DC 20506
202-606-8570
[collections@neh.gov](mailto:collections@neh.gov) | | Administrative/Budget| Office of Grant Management
202-606-8494
[grantmanagement@neh.gov](mailto:grantmanagement@neh.gov) | | General NEH Contact | [info@neh.gov](mailto:info@neh.gov) | ---

Collections Stewardship

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