[The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation](https://www.mellon.org)

December 2026 (Registration) | February 2027 (Full application)

$250,000–$500,000 per award; up to 4 years; ~$10M total available in next cycle.

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. --- ## Due Dates - December 2026: Registration deadline (anticipated/projected) - February 2027: Full application deadline (anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Awards typically range from **$250,000 to $500,000** per project. - Grant duration: **up to 4 years**. - Approximately **$10 million** will be available in the next cycle. - Institutions may submit up to **three applications** per cycle. --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible applicants:** - Accredited, non-profit, four-year-degree-granting higher education institutions in the U.S. or its territories providing a liberal arts education. - Must offer multiple degrees in humanities and/or humanistic social science disciplines. - Must enroll more than 1,000 full-time, degree-seeking undergraduates. - **Not eligible:** - Institutions outside the U.S. and its territories - Fully online institutions - Research institutes, special focus institutions (e.g., medical, engineering, business, arts, law schools not part of a broader university), and for-profit entities - **Principal Investigator:** - Must be a faculty member and/or dean in the humanities or humanistic social sciences, or the institution’s provost/chief academic officer. --- ## Application Process - **Step 1: Registration** - Register by the anticipated December 2026 deadline. - Registration is required to access the application portal. - **Step 2: Application** - Submit a concept note, proposed grant amount, and brief budget. - Required documents: - Endorsement letter from president, chancellor, or provost/chief academic officer - 1–2 page CV for PI - Institutions should coordinate internally and may submit up to three applications. - **Review and Selection** - Selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals. - Finalists notified in summer; grants start as early as December 2027. --- ## Additional Information - Projects must be grounded in the humanities and led by humanities scholars. - The Foundation welcomes applications from institutions that have **not received Mellon funding in the past five years**. - Strong emphasis on projects that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and that have potential for lasting institutional or public impact. - Indirect costs generally **not funded** for colleges/universities, but up to 10% of the grant amount may be used for directly attributable administrative costs. --- ## External Links - [Program Page: Higher Learning Grants](https://www.mellon.org/grant-programs/higher-learning) - [2026 Open Call for Concepts (sample)](https://www.mellon.org/article/higher-learning-open-call-for-concepts-2026) - [Applicant Resources](https://mellon.box.com/s/hlat4k0x7f9l2trmkmk69d4a58mh764b) - [Grantmaking & Resources](https://www.mellon.org/resources) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [inquiries@mellon.org](mailto:inquiries@mellon.org) | | Program Questions | [HLcall@mellon.org](mailto:HLcall@mellon.org) | | Phone | (212) 838-8400 | | Contact Form | [Contact Mellon Foundation](https://www.mellon.org/contact) | ---

Higher Learning Grants

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