Public Scholars

The Public Scholars program is administered by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through its Division of Research Programs. NEH is an independent federal agency established to support research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. This grant initiative supports individual authors working on well-researched nonfiction books intended for a general audience. Its primary aim is to encourage writers to deepen the humanities content of their work while making it accessible and engaging for a broad readership. The program particularly welcomes applications from both academic and independent authors, including journalists and other non-academic professionals. This funding opportunity supports research, writing, travel, and other project-related activities. Books funded must be accessible in style and demonstrate rigorous research and appropriate documentation. NEH explicitly encourages projects that explore themes related to American history, culture, and government, particularly in light of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Competitive projects may focus on the history of American democracy, its ideals, significant historical figures or events, or America's role in global affairs. While applicants may propose projects at any stage of development, the book does not need to be complete by the end of the grant period. Eligible applicants must be individuals who are either U.S. citizens or foreign nationals with at least three years of residence in the U.S. by the application deadline. Applicants must also demonstrate prior publication credentials: either a previously published nonfiction book with a university or trade press or three nonfiction articles or essays in widely circulated general-interest publications. Those enrolled in a degree-granting program at the time of application or during the grant period are ineligible. Applicants may not apply with a dissertation-based project or co-authored work unless specific guidelines for collaborative applications are met. The application package must be submitted via Grants.gov and include several required components: a three-page narrative, one-page work plan, one-page bibliography, a two-page resume, and a writing sample of up to twenty pages. Recommended and conditionally required materials include a publisher’s letter of interest and an explanation of delinquent federal debt, if applicable. Applications must be formatted according to strict guidelines, and all documents must be PDFs. Two letters of reference are required; NEH will request them directly from referees after the application deadline. Applications are evaluated on five criteria, including the intellectual significance and public appeal of the project, the applicant’s experience, the quality of the writing, the strength of the research, and the feasibility of the proposed work plan. Projects will be selected through a peer review process. NEH will notify successful applicants in April of the year following their submission. Final reports are due within 120 days after the performance period ends. The funding ceiling is $60,000, calculated at $5,000 per month for up to twelve months, with a minimum of $30,000 for six months of full-time work. No cost-sharing or matching is required. For assistance, applicants may contact NEH’s Division of Research Programs at publicscholar@neh.gov or call 202-606-8200. Application deadlines are August 28, 2024, and August 6, 2025. Pre-application webinars and additional information are available on the program resource page.

Follow exact formatting and length requirements; applications that deviate will be rejected. Submit early to allow for technical checks. Use the optional publisher letter to strengthen dissemination plans.