NEA Research Grants in the Arts, FY 2026

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Description

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Research Grants in the Arts program funds research projects that explore the value and/or impact of the arts in the United States. This includes studies focusing on individual components of the U.S. arts ecosystem or how these components interact with each other and with other sectors of American life. The program encourages research that contributes to a deeper understanding of the arts’ role and influence in society.

This grant opportunity is part of the NEA’s broader research agenda, which also includes the NEA Research Labs program for larger, transdisciplinary projects. The Research Grants in the Arts program specifically supports smaller-scale research projects with funding ranging from $20,000 to $100,000.

Due Dates

• Part 1: Grants.gov Submission Deadline — March 24, 2025, 11:59 pm Eastern Time
• Part 2: NEA Applicant Portal Submission Deadline — April 3, 2025, 11:59 pm Eastern Time

Notification of funding decisions is expected by December 2025, with the earliest project start date on January 1, 2026.

Funding Amount

• Award size ranges from $20,000 to $100,000 per project.
• A 1:1 cost-share or matching funds are required.
• Funding supports research activities, including data collection, analysis, and dissemination of findings.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants for the Research Grants in the Arts program include:

• Nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) U.S. organizations (excluding individuals and for-profit entities)
• Units of state or local government
• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments or communities

Additional eligibility criteria:

• Applicant organizations must have at least 5 years of operating history prior to the application deadline.
• Applications submitted by fiscal sponsors or individuals are not eligible.

Application Process

Applying involves a two-part submission:

1. Part 1: Grants.gov

   • Submit the Application for Federal Domestic Assistance/Short Organization Form via Grants.gov.
   • Requires registration with Login.gov, SAM.gov, and Grants.gov, which can take several weeks.
   • Applicants must have a Workspace Manager or Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) role in Grants.gov.

2. Part 2: NEA Applicant Portal

   • Complete the Grant Application Form (GAF) on the NEA Applicant Portal after Part 1 submission.
   • The portal opens March 27, 2025, at 9:00 am Eastern Time.
   • Submission deadline is April 3, 2025, at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

Detailed application instructions, including required documents and questions, are provided in the NEA’s application instruction guides.

Additional Information

• The NEA provides extensive resources including program guidelines, application instructions, and webinars to assist applicants.
• The program aligns with the NEA’s five-year research agenda, which can be reviewed for thematic priorities.
• Awardees must comply with federal award administration requirements and reporting obligations.
• The NEA does not provide technical support for Grants.gov, SAM.gov, or Login.gov registration processes.

External Links

• NEA Research Grants in the Arts Program Guidelines (PDF)
• NEA Research Grants in the Arts Application Instructions (PDF)
• Research Awards | Grants in the Arts & Labs
• Grants.gov Application Package - Research Grants in the Arts
• NEA Applicant Portal
• NEA Registration Guidance (PDF)
• NEA Manage Your Award
• NEA Newsletter Signup
• NEA Magazine Signup

Contact Information

This grant is ideal for researchers and organizations interested in empirical studies on the arts’ societal impact, especially those affiliated with nonprofit or government entities with a solid operational history.