Public Impact Projects Celebrating Americas 250th Anniversary

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), through its Division of Public Programs, is offering funding under the "Public Impact Projects Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary" program. This grant opportunity is designed to support cultural organizations in the creation and development of public humanities programming that commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. NEH, an independent federal agency, fosters excellence in the humanities and conveys the lessons of history to all Americans by funding projects that reflect diverse historical perspectives and cultural experiences. This program supports both planning and implementation of projects with strong interpretive components rooted in humanities scholarship. Eligible activities include interpretive exhibitions, walking tours, panel discussions, and professional development for staff and volunteers. Projects must focus on the significance of 1776 and the founding ideals of the United States, engaging with topics such as the legacy of the Declaration of Independence or the Revolutionary Era’s impact on local history. While the program does not fund artmaking or performances, it may support scholarly interpretations associated with artistic works, such as post-performance discussions. Applicants must ensure their project includes a robust public interpretation element and involves qualified humanities scholars. Projects should have regional or national relevance, or demonstrate deep engagement with local communities through partnerships and community involvement. Outputs can include interpretive plans, exhibitions, or public programs, and outcomes may include increased audience engagement and enhanced staff capabilities in public interpretation. Applications are due by July 9, 2025, and projects must commence between March 1 and May 1, 2026. Awards will be announced in December 2025. NEH plans to distribute approximately $4 million through about 40 grants, with award amounts based on organizational budget tiers: up to $50,000 for organizations with budgets under $1 million, up to $100,000 for those between $1 million and $10 million, and up to $200,000 for those above $10 million. No cost-sharing or matching is required. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, accredited institutions of higher education, state and local government agencies, and federally recognized Native American Tribal governments. Individuals and foreign or for-profit entities are not eligible. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov, and applicants must have an active SAM.gov registration. Required application components include a narrative, work plan, biographies, and budget documents. Evaluations will be based on criteria including relevance to the 250th anniversary, audience engagement, project feasibility, and qualifications of the project team. Questions about the program should be directed to publicpgms@neh.gov, and administrative queries can be sent to grantmanagement@neh.gov or called in at 202-606-8494. Additional support is available through the Federal Service Desk and Grants.gov support for application submission issues.