NEA Challenge America Fast-Track, FY 2013 CFDA 45.024

The Challenge America Fast-Track category offers support primarily to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations -- those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. Applications are due by May 24, 2012.

Age alone (e.g., youth, seniors) does not qualify a group as underserved; at least one of the underserved characteristics noted here also must be present. This category, as an essential component of the Arts Endowment's goal of providing wide access to artistic excellence, supports local projects that can have significant effects within communities. Grants are available for professional arts programming and for projects that emphasize the potential of the arts in community development.

Partnerships can be valuable to the success of these projects. While not required, applicants are encouraged to consider partnerships among organizations, both in and outside of the arts, as appropriate to their project.

These Fast-Track grants: Extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations. Are limited to the specific types of projects outlined below. Are for $10,000 each. Receive an expedited application review. Organizations are notified whether they have been recommended for a grant approximately six months after they apply; projects may start shortly thereafter.

NOTE: A policy will be implemented in the coming year to limit consecutive year funding. This policy will ensure that Challenge America Fast-Track funding reaches new organizations and their communities of underserved populations with limited access to the arts. Starting with grants that are awarded in FY 2011, an organization that receives Challenge America Fast-Track grants for three years in a row will not be eligible to apply to the Fast-Track category for the following one-year period. For example, if an organization receives grants in FY 2009, 2010, and 2011, it may not apply again in FY 2012. During FY 2012, the organization may apply to other Arts Endowment funding opportunities including Access to Artistic Excellence and Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth. The organization would be able to apply to the Challenge America Fast-Track category in FY 2013.

An Organization may submit only one application through one of the following FY 2013 Grants for Arts Projects categories: Access to Artistic Excellence, Challenge America Fast-Track, Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth. The Arts Endowment's support of a project may start on or after January 1, 2013.

Document Type: Grants Notice
Funding Opportunity Number: 2012NEA01CAFT
Opportunity Category: Discretionary
Posted Date: Jan 04, 2012
Creation Date: Jan 04, 2012
Original Closing Date for Applications: May 24, 2012  May 24, 2012, Application Deadline
January 1, 2013, Earliest Beginning Date for Arts Endowment Period of Support
Current Closing Date for Applications: May 24, 2012  May 24, 2012, Application Deadline
January 1, 2013, Earliest Beginning Date for Arts Endowment Period of Support
Archive Date: Jun 23, 2012
Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Category of Funding Activity: Arts (see "Cultural Affairs" in CFDA)

Category Explanation:
Expected Number of Awards:
Estimated Total Program Funding:
Award Ceiling: $10,000
Award Floor: $10,000
CFDA Number(s): 45.024 -- Promotion of the Arts_Grants to Organizations and Individuals
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: Yes

Eligible Applicants:
State governments
County governments
City or township governments
Special district governments
Independent school districts
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education

Additional Information on Eligibility:
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY Nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), U.S. organizations; units of state or local government; or federally recognized tribal communities or tribes may apply. Applicants may be arts organizations, local arts agencies, arts service organizations, local education agencies (school districts), and other organizations that can help advance the goals of the Arts Endowment. To be eligible, the applicant organization must: Meet the Arts Endowment's "Legal Requirements" including nonprofit, tax-exempt status at the time of application. (All organizations must apply directly on their own behalf. Applications through a fiscal agent are not allowed.) Have a three-year history of programming prior to the application deadline. Have submitted acceptable Final Report packages by the due date(s) for all Arts Endowment grant(s) previously received.

NEA Web Site Complete Announcement >>Read more >>

NEH Preservation and Access Research and Development Grants CFDA 45.149

Preservation and Access Research and Development grants support projects that address major challenges in preserving or providing access to humanities collections and resources. These challenges include the need to find better ways to preserve materials of critical importance to the nation’s cultural heritage—from fragile artifacts and manuscripts to analog recordings and digital assets subject to technological obsolescence—and to develop advanced modes of searching, discovering, and using such materials. Applicants should define a specific problem, devise procedures and potential solutions, and explain how they would evaluate their projects and disseminate their findings. Project results must serve the needs of a significant number of humanists.
Applications are due by May 16, 2012.

Applicants should define a specific problem, devise procedures and potential solutions, and explain how they would evaluate their projects and disseminate their findings. Project results must serve the needs of a significant number of humanists.

Eligible Projects Include

• the development of technical standards, best practices, and tools for preserving and creating access to humanities collections;
• the exploration of more effective scientific and technical methods of preserving humanities collections;
• the development of automated procedures and computational tools to integrate, analyze, and repurpose humanities data in disparate online resources; and
• the investigation and testing of new ways of providing digital access to humanities materials that are not easily digitized using current methods.

NEH especially encourages applications that address the following topics:

• Digital Preservation: how to preserve digital humanities materials, including born-digital materials;
• Recorded Sound and Moving Image Collections: how to preserve and increase access to the record of the twentieth century contained in these formats; and
• Preventive Conservation: how to protect humanities collections and slow their deterioration through the use of sustainable preservation strategies.

Collaboration is a hallmark of research and development projects. Projects that present advanced models of collaboration, especially among humanities professionals, research scientists, and other technical experts, are welcome. Projects to develop standards or best practices should be guided by advisers representative of the profession.

Successful applicants must create a white paper that describes the lessons learned during the conduct of the project (both positive and negative). The white paper should also document any software or techniques resulting from the project. White papers will be posted on the NEH website so that others may benefit from the research.

 

Types of projects not supported

Preservation and Access Research and Development grants cannot be used for projects whose primary activity involves the digitization of materials or the creation of a database. Applicants may, however, undertake such activities insofar as they further research and development—for example, by creating a testbed. Applicants proposing to focus strictly on digitizing humanities collections or creating reference resources should apply to the Humanities Collections and Reference Resources program.

Previously funded projectsAn institution whose project has received NEH support may apply for a grant for a new or subsequent stage of that project. These proposals receive no special consideration and will be judged by the same criteria as others in the grant competition. In addition, these proposals must include a description of the new activities and a justification of the new budget. The applicant must also describe how the previously funded project met its goals.

Providing access to grant productsAs a taxpayer-supported federal agency, NEH endeavors to make the products of its grants available to the broadest possible audience. Our goal is for scholars, educators, students, and the American public to have ready and easy access to the wide range of NEH grant products. For the Preservation and Access Research and Development program, such products may include digital tools, software, and websites. For projects that lead to the development of such products, all other considerations being equal, NEH gives preference to those that provide free access to the public. Detailed guidance on access and dissemination matters can be found below, in the Dissemination section.

 

Award InformationThe maximum award is $350,000 for up to three years. Applicants whose projects focus on at least one of the three areas of special interest noted above may request up to $400,000. Successful applicants will be awarded a grant in outright funds, federal matching funds, or a combination of the two, depending on the applicant’s preference and the availability of NEH funds. Matching funds are released when a grantee secures gift funds from eligible third parties.

(Learn more about different types of grant funding.)

Cost sharing

Cost sharing consists of the cash contributions made to a project by the applicant, third parties, and other federal agencies, as well as third party in-kind contributions, such as donated services and goods. Cost sharing also includes gift money raised to release federal matching funds. Although cost sharing is not required, NEH is rarely able to support the full costs of projects approved for funding. In most cases, NEH Preservation and Access Research and Development grants cover no more than 80 percent of project costs.

Document Type: Grants Notice
Funding Opportunity Number: 20120516-PR 
Opportunity Category: Discretionary
Posted Date: Mar 07, 2012 
Creation Date: Mar 01, 2012 
Original Closing Date for Applications: May 16, 2012    
Current Closing Date for Applications: May 16, 2012    
Archive Date: Jun 15, 2012 
Funding Instrument Type: Grant
Category of Funding Activity: Humanities (see "Cultural Affairs" in CFDA)
Category Explanation:
Expected Number of Awards:
Estimated Total Program Funding:
Award Ceiling: $350,000
Award Floor: $0
CFDA Number(s): 45.149 -- Promotion of the Humanities_Division of Preservation and Access
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No

http://www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/PARD.html

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NEH 2012 Challenge Grants CFDA 45.130

NEH challenge grants are capacity-building grants, intended to help institutions and organizations secure long-term improvements in and support for their humanities programs and resources. Grants may be used to establish or enhance endowments or spend-down funds (that is, funds that are invested, with both the income and the principal being expended over a defined period of years) that generate expendable earnings to support ongoing program activities. Funds may also provide capital directly supporting the procurment of long lasting objects such as acquisitions for archives and collections, the purchase of equipment, and the construction and renovation of faciltities needed for humanities activities.  Funds spent directly must must be shown to bring long-term benefits to the institution and to the humanities more broadly.
NEH Challenge Grant Guidelines
Applications are due by May 2, 2012

Because of the matching requirement, these NEH grants also strengthen the humanities by encouraging nonfederal sources of support. Applications are welcome from colleges and universities, museums, public libraries, research institutions, historical societies and historic sites, scholarly associations, state humanities councils, and other nonprofit entities. Programs that involve collaboration among multiple institutions are eligible as well, but one institution must serve as the lead agent and formal applicant of record. Activities supported Challenge grant funds (both federal and nonfederal together) must provide long-term benefits to the humanities. Challenge grant funds should not merely replace funds already being expended on the humanities, but instead should reflect careful strategic planning to strengthen the institution’s activities in and commitment to the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the humanities.

Activities supported

Challenge grant funds (both federal and nonfederal together) must provide long-term benefits to the humanities. Challenge grant funds should not merely replace funds already being expended on the humanities, but instead should reflect careful strategic planning to strengthen the institution’s activities in and commitment to the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the humanities.

Institutions may use challenge grant funds to meet both ongoing and one-time humanities-related costs, provided that the long-term benefit of the expenditure can be demonstrated. Federal challenge grant funds, as well as funds raised for matching, might be used for purposes such as the following.

Through endowments or spend-down funds, challenge grant funds might be used to support faculty and staff salaries and benefits; 

• acquisitions for collections;
• faculty, teacher, and staff development;
• research fellowships;
• lecture or exhibition series;
• visiting scholars or consultants;
• publishing subventions; and
• preservation and conservation programs.

Through direct expenditure, challenge grant funds might be used to support

• capital expenditures, such as purchase, construction, or renovation of facilities;
• acquisitions for collections;
• purchase of equipment and software;
• fundraising costs (totaling no more than 10 percent of challenge grant funds);
• and “bridge” funds to begin an endowed activity while the endowment is being established.

Expenditures not eligible for support
Challenge grant funds, federal or nonfederal, may not be used for:

• one-time or operating expenditures with minimal long-term impact;
• recovery of indirect costs;
• support for projects eligible for grants from other NEH programs; or
• scholarships or stipends for students below the graduate level.

Mode of expenditure
The financial arrangement by which challenge grant funds are expended should be appropriate to the nature of the humanities-related costs and the long-term impact of the expenditure.
Funds may be

• invested in permanent endowments, the income from which supports ongoing and recurring costs such as salaries, honoraria for visiting scholars, fellowships, and maintenance;
• spent directly on one-time capital costs for items that have inherent longevity, such as facilities (new construction or renovation), equipment, and acquisitions;
• or combined in “spend-down” funds that are invested, with both the income and the principal expended over a defined period of years. Spend-down funds are particularly appropriate for programs that are long-term but not permanent.

Funds may also be spent directly on fundraising costs (totaling up to 10 percent of challenge grant funds).
Grant funds may be used directly for bridging support, where the challenge grant provides for endowment or spend-down income to meet expenses for a given purpose in the future; bridging funds up to the equivalent amount of projected endowment or spend-down income may be used to cover expenses for that purpose during the grant period, while the endowment or spend-down fund is being established.

Document Type: Grants Notice
Funding Opportunity Number: 20120502-CH
Opportunity Category: Discretionary
Posted Date: Feb. 29, 2012
Creation Date: Feb. 27, 2012
Original Closing Date for Applications: May 02, 2012
Current Closing Date for Applications: May 02, 2012
Archive Date: Jun 01, 2012
Funding Instrument Type: Grant
Category of Funding Activity: Humanities (see "Cultural Affairs" in CFDA)
Category Explanation:
Expected Number of Awards:
Estimated Total Program Funding:
Award Ceiling: $1,000,000
Award Floor: $0
CFDA Number(s): 45.130 -- Promotion of the Humanities_Challenge Grants
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No

http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=H3ZhPWKLGBT9p24p0gQP9rPH9lbhpML9GBhLRFNQj0TGjbhyG81y!755456391?oppId=146633&mode=VIEW

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NEH Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions CFDA 45.149

Preservation Assistance Grants help small and mid-sized institutions such as libraries, museums, historical societies, archival repositories, cultural organizations, town and county records offices, and colleges and universities improve their ability to preserve and care for their significant humanities collections. These may include special collections of books and journals, archives and manuscripts, prints and photographs, moving images, sound recordings, architectural and cartographic records, decorative and fine art objects, textiles, archaeological and ethnographic artifacts, furniture, historical objects and digital materials.

Applicants must draw on the knowledge of consultants whose preservation skills and experience are related to the types of collections and the nature of the acitivities that are the focus of their projects.
NEH Site Anouncement
Applications are due May 01, 2012.

Document Type: Grants Notice
Funding Opportunity Number: 20120501-PG
Opportunity Category: Discretionary
Posted Date: Jan 09, 2011
Creation Date: Jan 03, 2011
Original Closing Date for Applications: May 01, 2012
Current Closing Date for Applications: May 01, 2012
Archive Date: May 31, 2012
Funding Instrument Type: Grant
Category of Funding Activity: Humanities (see "Cultural Affairs" in CFDA)
Category Explanation:
Expected Number of Awards:
Estimated Total Program Funding:
Award Ceiling: $6,000
Award Floor: $0
CFDA Number(s): 45.149 -- Promotion of the Humanities_Division of Preservation and Access
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No

Grants.gov Posting >>Read more >>

IMLS: 21st Century Museum Professionals CFDA 45.307

Museum professionals need high levels of knowledge and expertise as they help create public value for the communities they serve. The purpose of the 21st Century Museum Professionals Grants program is to increase the capacity of museums by improving the knowledge and skills of museum professionals in multiple institutions. Applications are due March 15, 2012.

These grants are intended to reach broad groups of museum professionals throughout a city, county, state, region, or the nation. Grants fund a wide range of activities, including the development and implementation of classes, seminars, and workshops; resources to support leadership development; collection, assessment, development, and/or dissemination of information that leads to better museum operations; activities that strengthen the use of contemporary technology tools to deliver programs and services; support for the enhancement of pre-professional training programs; and organizational support for the development of internship and fellowship programs. IMLS also welcomes proposals that promote the skills necessary to develop 21st Century communities, citizens, and workers and that encourage broad community access and participation.

IMLS Site Announcment

Document Type: Modifications to Previous Grants Notice
Funding Opportunity Number: 21MP-FY12
Opportunity Category: Discretionary
Posted Date: Jan 09, 2012
Creation Date: Jan 09, 2012
Original Closing Date for Applications: Mar 15, 2012
Current Closing Date for Applications: Mar 15, 2012
Archive Date: Apr 14, 2012
Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Category of Funding Activity: Arts (see "Cultural Affairs" in CFDA)
Humanities (see "Cultural Affairs" in CFDA)

Category Explanation:
Expected Number of Awards: 10
Estimated Total Program Funding:
Award Ceiling: $250,000
Award Floor: $15,000
CFDA Number(s): 45.307 -- 21st Century Museum Professionals
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: Yes

Museums that fulfill the eligibility criteria for museums may apply. Public or private not-forprofit agencies, organizations or associations that engage in activities designed to advance museums and the museum profession may also apply. In addition, institutions of higher education, including public and nonprofit universities are eligible.

Grants.gov Announcment >>Read more >>

NEA Art Works CFDA 45.024

The NEA's guiding principle is embodied in one sentence: "Art works."

"Art works" is a noun; the creation of works of art by artists. "Art works" is a verb; art works on and within people to change and inspire them. "Art works" is a statement; arts jobs are real jobs that are part of the real economy.

Art Works encourages and supports the following four outcomes:
•Creation: The creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence,
•Engagement: Public engagement with diverse and excellent art,
•Learning: Lifelong learning in the arts, and
•Livability: The strengthening of communities through the arts.

Applicants will be asked to select the outcome that is most relevant to their projects (they also will be able to select a secondary outcome). When making selections, applicants should identify the outcome(s) that reflect the results expected to be achieved by their project. If a grant is received, grantees also will be asked to provide evidence of those results. Applications are due March 8, 2012.

1.Creation: The portfolio of American art is expanded.

Support is available for projects to create art that meets the highest standards of excellence across a diverse spectrum of artistic disciplines and geographic locations. Through the creation of art, these projects are intended to replenish and rejuvenate America's enduring cultural legacy. Creation activities may include:

•Commissioning, development, and production of new work.
•Design competitions and design or planning projects for new arts or cultural spaces or landscapes.
•Workshops and residencies for artists where the primary purpose is to create new art.
•Opportunities for writers and translators to create or refine their work.
•Projects that employ innovative forms of art-making and design.
The anticipated results for Creation projects are new works of art. If a grant is received, at the end of the project grantees will need to provide evidence of the new art works created. If the project activities do not lead to the creation of completed works of art within the period of a grant, grantees may demonstrate progress toward the creation of art by describing the artists' participation and work accomplished by the end of the grant. Before applying, please review the reporting requirements for Creation.

2.Engagement: Americans throughout the nation experience art.

Support is available for projects that provide public engagement with artistic excellence across a diverse spectrum of artistic disciplines and geographic locations. These projects should engage the public directly with the arts, providing Americans with new opportunities to have profound and meaningful arts experiences. Engagement activities may include:

•Exhibitions, performances, concerts, and readings.
•Film screenings.
•Touring and outreach activities.
•Restaging of repertory and master works of historical significance.
•Art fairs and festivals.
•Documentation, preservation, and conservation of art work.
•Public programs that raise awareness of cultural heritage.
•Broadcasts or recordings through Web sites; live streaming, audio- and video-on-demand, podcasts, MP3 files, or other digital applications; television; and radio.
•Design charrettes.
•Publication, production, and promotion of digital, audio, or online publications; books; magazines; catalogues; and searchable information databases.
•Services to artists and arts organizations.
•Projects that extend the arts to underserved populations -- those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability.
•Projects that employ innovative forms of art and design delivery.
The anticipated results for Engagement projects are direct experiences with the arts for the public. If a grant is received, at the end of the project grantees will need to describe the participants' experiences as well as the composition of the participant group. If the nature of the project does not allow for the documentation of participants' experiences explicitly, grantees may document the composition of the participant group and numbers of participants and activities, and describe the activities used to engage the public with art. Before applying, please review the reporting requirements for Engagement.

3.Learning: Americans of all ages acquire knowledge or skills in the arts.

Support is available for projects that provide Americans of all ages with arts learning opportunities across a diverse spectrum of artistic disciplines and geographic locations. These projects should focus on the acquisition of knowledge or skills in the arts, thereby building public capacity for lifelong participation in the arts. Learning activities may include:

•Lifelong learning activities for children, adults, and intergenerational groups.
•Standards-based arts education activities for K-12 students.
•Workshops and demonstrations.
•Mentorships and apprenticeship programs.
•Professional development for artists, teaching artists, teachers, and other educators.
•Assessments and evaluations of arts learning.
•Online courses or training.
•Lectures and symposia.
•Production, publication, and distribution of teachers' guides.
•Innovative practices in arts learning for Americans of all ages.
The anticipated results for Learning projects are increases or improvements in the participants' knowledge or skills in the arts. If a grant is received, at the end of the project grantees will need to describe the participants' learning, the composition of the participant group, and the numbers of participants and activities, as well as the activities used to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge or skills in the arts. Grantees who receive support through the Arts Education discipline for standards-based projects will be required to report on additional measurable results, including identifying specific learning outcomes, describing the assessment method, and reporting on the number of participants who demonstrated learning. Before applying, please review the reporting requirements for Learning.

4.Livability: American communities are strengthened through the arts.

Support is available for projects that incorporate the arts and design into strategies to improve the livability of communities. Livability consists of a variety of factors that contribute to the quality of life in a community such as ample opportunities for social, civic, and cultural participation; education, employment, and safety; sustainability; affordable housing, ease of transportation, and access to public buildings and facilities; and an aesthetically pleasing environment. The arts can enhance livability by providing new avenues for expression and creativity. Arts- and design-related Livability activities may include:

•The development of plans for cultural and/or creative sector growth.
•The enhancement of public spaces through design or new art works.
•Arts or design activities that are intended to foster community interaction in public spaces.
•Cultural sustainability activities that contribute to community identity and sense of place.
•The engagement of artists, designers, and/or arts organizations in plans and processes to improve community livability and enhance the unique characteristics of a community.
•Innovative community-based partnerships that integrate the arts with livability efforts.

Please note that certain types of Livability activities will require applicants to provide information in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and/or the National Historic Preservation Act. See here for more information.

Innovation

The NEA recognizes that arts and design organizations are often in the forefront of innovation in their work and strongly encourages innovation within the outcomes listed above. Innovative projects are characterized as those that:

•Are likely to prove transformative with the potential for meaningful change....

NEA Site Announcement

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Document Type: Grants Notice
Funding Opportunity Number: 2012NEA01AW1
Opportunity Category: Discretionary
Posted Date: Jan 04, 2012
Creation Date: Jan 04, 2012
Original Closing Date for Applications: Mar 08, 2012 The Grants.gov system must receive your validated and accepted application no later than 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on Mar 08, 2012.
Current Closing Date for Applications: Mar 08, 2012 The Grants.gov system must receive your validated and accepted application no later than 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on Mar 08, 2012.
Archive Date: April 07, 2012
Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Category of Funding Activity: Arts (see "Cultural Affairs" in CFDA)

Category Explanation:
Expected Number of Awards:
Estimated Total Program Funding:
Award Ceiling: $100,000
Award Floor: $10,000
CFDA Number(s): 45.024 -- Promotion of the Arts_Grants to Organizations and Individuals
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: Yes

Grants.gov Site Announcment >>Read more >>

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Opportunity for Assistance CFDA: 15.935

The purpose of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is to collaborate with various and diverse partners to identify an protect the historical, natural, cultural, sacred, and recreational resources of the route of the Corps of Discovery and associated American Indian Nations; interpret those resources; educate the public on their significance and value; and provide appropriate opportunities for their public use and enjoyment. Applications are due by February 27, 2012

Grants.gov Posting >>Read more >>