Public Scholars
Forecasted
The Public Scholars grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities funds authors to research and write nonfiction humanities books for general audiences on American history, culture, or Western civilization.
Funder: National Endowment for the Humanities
Due Dates (Anticipated): April 2027 (Full application) | June 2027 (Letters of reference)
Funding Amounts: $30,000–$60,000 ($5,000/month for 6–12 months); approx. 15 awards; no cost share required.
Summary: Supports individual authors in researching and writing well-researched nonfiction books in the humanities for general audiences, with a focus on American history, culture, and Western civilization.
Key Information: Forecasted dates; only projects on American history/culture or Western civilization are eligible.
Description
The Public Scholars program from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) provides grants to individual authors for research, writing, and related activities that lead to the creation and publication of nonfiction books in the humanities, intended for a broad general audience. The program aims to bridge the gap between specialized humanities research and public understanding, encouraging both academic and non-academic writers—including independent scholars, journalists, and researchers—to produce accessible, well-researched books.
For the next anticipated cycle, only projects focused on American history, culture, and government (from the Colonial Era to the present), or topics in Western civilization (from antiquity to the present), are eligible. Projects may be at any stage of development.
