The purpose of the program is to strengthen the institutional base of the humanities by enabling infrastructure development and capacity building. Awards of federal matching funds aim to help institutions secure long-term support for their core activities and expand efforts to preserve and create access to outstanding humanities materials. The program supports two distinct types of projects, each with its own Notice of Funding Opportunity:
Capital Projects support the purchase, design, construction, restoration, or renovation of facilities for humanities activities. This includes costs related to planning as well as the purchase and installation of related moveable and permanently affixed equipment for exhibiting, maintaining, monitoring, and protecting collections (whether on exhibit or in storage), and for critical building systems, such as electrical, heating ventilation and air conditioning, security, life safety, lighting, utilities, telecommunications, and energy management.
Digital Infrastructure supports the maintenance, modernization, and sustainability of existing digital scholarly projects and platforms.
Fundraising is a critical part of NEH Challenge grant awards: up to 10 percent of total funds (NEH federal matching funds plus certified gifts) may be used for fundraising costs during the period of performance.
Awards:
Three levels of awards with different match ratios: For requests up to $150,000 the match ratio is 1:1. From $150,001 to $500,000 it is 3:1. From $500,001-$1,000,000 it is 4:1.
Anticipated Funding Amount:
$6,500,000
Letter of Intent:
Not required
Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s):
Optional Draft Deadline: April 6, 2022
Full Proposal Submission Deadline:
May 17, 2022
Contacts:
Contact the Office of Challenge Programs Team; (202) 606-8309; challenge@neh.gov
