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

April 22, 2026

$30,000–$60,000 per award (6–12 months, $5,000/month); ~60 awards; total program funding ~$3.6M

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

2026 competition is limited to projects in American history/culture or Western civilization.

--- ## Description The NEH Fellowships program provides competitive grants to individual scholars for projects that demonstrate exceptional humanistic research, rigorous analysis, and clear writing. The awards offer recipients time to write, travel, and conduct research or other project-related activities. For 2026, only projects focused on American history and culture or Western civilization are eligible. Projects may be at any stage of development and can result in books, peer-reviewed articles, digital materials, translations, or critical editions. The program encourages applications from independent and junior scholars. --- ## Due Dates - Application deadline: April 22, 2026 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time) - Letters of reference deadline: May 6, 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - Award range: $30,000 to $60,000, calculated at $5,000 per month for 6–12 months of full-time work. - Estimated total program funding: $3,600,000 - Expected number of awards: approximately 60 - No cost sharing or matching required. - Awards are paid directly to the individual recipient. --- ## Eligibility - Open to individuals only (not organizations). - Applicants must be: - U.S. citizens (living in the U.S. or abroad), or - Foreign nationals who have lived in the U.S. or its jurisdictions for at least three years prior to the application deadline. - Not eligible: currently enrolled students (including doctoral candidates), or anyone holding another NEH individual award during the same period. - Applicants may not submit more than one application to NEH individual award programs per deadline. - Collaborative projects: Only individual funding is provided; each collaborator must apply separately for their own support. - Projects must focus on American history and culture (any era) or Western civilization (antiquity to present). --- ## Application Process 1. **Review Materials**: Read the [Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)](https://www.neh.gov/sites/default/files/Individual%20NOFO%20combined_0.pdf) and [2026 Program Announcement](https://www.neh.gov/sites/default/files/Fellowships%202026%20program%20announcement.pdf). 2. **Register**: Create and/or update your [Grants.gov](https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/register.faces) account and add an “individual applicant” profile. 3. **Prepare Application**: Complete required forms and prepare attachments (narrative, work plan, bibliography, résumé, and any conditionally required documents) per formatting guidelines. 4. **Submit Application**: Submit via [Grants.gov](https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/361385) by the deadline. 5. **Reference Letters**: Provide contact information for two references; NEH will solicit letters after the deadline. 6. **Monitor Application Status**: Confirm submission and track reference letters via NEH’s secure portal. --- ## Additional Information - Projects must not include curriculum development, teaching methods, or activities outside the humanities. - Restricted activities include promotion of political, religious, or ideological viewpoints; DEI or environmental justice initiatives; and others as listed in the NOFO. - Awards are for full-time work; recipients must forgo teaching, administrative, or other major commitments during the award period. - Outputs must be made publicly accessible in accordance with NEH’s Public Access Policy. - See [sample funded projects](https://www.neh.gov/our-work/listing?f[0]=content_type%3Aproject) for examples. --- ## External Links - [Program Resource Page](https://www.neh.gov/grants/research/fellowships) - [Grants.gov Listing](https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/361385) - [2026 Program Announcement (PDF)](https://www.neh.gov/sites/default/files/Fellowships%202026%20program%20announcement.pdf) - [Notice of Funding Opportunity (PDF)](https://www.neh.gov/sites/default/files/Individual%20NOFO%20combined_0.pdf) - [Sample Applications](https://www.neh.gov/grants/research/fellowships#instructions) - [Register with Grants.gov](https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/register.faces) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Details | |------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Program Questions | Division of Research, NEH
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, DC 20506
202-606-8200
[fellowships@neh.gov](mailto:fellowships@neh.gov) | | Administrative/Grants | Office of Grant Management, NEH
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, DC 20506
202-606-8494
[grantmanagement@neh.gov](mailto:grantmanagement@neh.gov) | | General NEH Info | [info@neh.gov](mailto:info@neh.gov) · (202)-606-8400 | | Grants.gov Support | 1-800-518-4726 · [support@grants.gov](mailto:support@grants.gov) | | Telecommunications Relay | 7-1-1 (for deaf or hard of hearing) |

Fellowships

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