Higher Learning Grants
Mellon Higher Learning Grants fund innovative, humanities-led research and programs that expand knowledge and elevate underrepresented voices in U.S. academic and public life.
Funder: The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (Registration) | February 2027 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: $250,000–$500,000 per award; up to 4 years; ~$10M total available in next cycle.
Summary: Supports academic and public humanities projects that expand knowledge, foster innovation, and elevate underrepresented voices in the United States.
Description
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation's Higher Learning Grants aim to broaden opportunities in the humanities by supporting research, curricular development, extracurricular programming, internships, and community partnerships. The program funds colleges, universities, and humanities-focused organizations, especially those serving underrepresented communities (e.g., rural universities, tribal colleges, HBCUs). Projects may also extend beyond academia to deepen understanding of the U.S., its cultures, and its people, ensuring a wide diversity of stories are told and studied.
The upcoming open call will focus on projects that are demonstrably grounded in the humanities, led by humanities scholars, and address themes of vital social, cultural, and historical importance. The Foundation encourages experimental methodologies, interdisciplinary and community collaboration, and projects with enduring institutional or public impact.
