NEA Research Labs, FY 2026
NEA Research Labs grants fund transdisciplinary teams researching the arts' impact on individuals, communities, and society, resulting in studies, products, and services.
Funder: National Endowment for the Arts
Due Dates: March 24, 2025 (Part 1: Grants.gov) | April 3, 2025 (Part 2: NEA Applicant Portal)
Funding Amounts: Up to $300,000 per award; typical duration aligned with FY 2026 projects; 1:1 cost-share/match required.
Summary: Supports transdisciplinary research teams investigating the arts' impact on individuals, communities, and society, producing multiple studies and related products or services.
Key Information: Requires confirmed partnership with an arts organization or individual artist/culture bearer; applicants must have 5+ years of operating history; federal registrations required before applying.
Description
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Research Labs program funds projects that support transdisciplinary research teams grounded in the social and behavioral sciences. These teams conduct multiple research studies to build public knowledge about the arts and their contributions to individuals, communities, and society at large. Each funded Lab is expected to develop a suite of products or services based on their research findings.
This program is part of the NEA’s broader five-year research agenda aimed at generating empirical insights about the arts for the benefit of both arts and non-arts sectors. The NEA may offer a subsequent renewal award to recipients consistent with program priorities and performance.
