Awards for Faculty at HBCUs

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is a federal agency dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. Through various funding initiatives, NEH fosters engagement with the humanities in communities across the United States, emphasizing academic excellence and public relevance. The Awards for Faculty at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are one of NEH's signature programs to promote scholarly research and creativity among faculty members at these institutions. The Awards for Faculty program is tailored specifically for individual faculty members affiliated with HBCUs. It aims to empower scholars by providing them the time and resources necessary to pursue research projects that exemplify rigorous humanistic inquiry. Projects must articulate their contribution to the field of humanities and demonstrate relevance to either scholarly communities, general audiences, or both. NEH places a high priority on clarity, originality, and the capacity for the project to advance humanistic knowledge or understanding. In 2026, the Awards for Faculty program limits the eligible subject matter to projects focused on American history and culture, as well as Western civilization. This targeted scope reflects NEH's ongoing commitment to understanding the cultural and intellectual traditions that have shaped the United States. Projects at any stage of development are eligible for funding, and the program supports a wide range of research activities, including writing, travel, and other project-related expenses. The grant is highly flexible with respect to project structure and duration, allowing scholars to tailor their proposals based on their research goals and academic calendars. With an award range between $30,000 and $60,000, the program will fund up to five individual projects in this competition cycle. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, making the grant accessible to a wider range of scholars who might otherwise face financial barriers to research. Applications are due by April 22, 2026. Interested applicants must submit their proposals through the official NEH portal, following the procedures outlined on the program page. The application must include a clear description of the proposed research, its significance to the humanities, the methodology to be employed, and a feasible work plan. NEH expects strong writing and well-articulated objectives that demonstrate the project’s value and potential contributions to the field. Applicants may direct questions or technical issues to the Division of Research at NEH. Contact can be made via phone at 202-606-8200 or email at facultyawards@neh.gov. All proposals will be reviewed according to NEH’s evaluation standards, and notifications will follow after the review process is completed. Although no recurring deadlines were specified in the current notice, prior patterns suggest the program may be offered annually or biennially, warranting continued monitoring for future cycles.