NEH Endowments for Advancing the Humanities
Please see the full solicitation for complete information about the funding opportunity. Below is a summary assembled by the Research & Innovation Office (RIO).Note the matching requirement detailed in the Award Information section below.
Program Summary
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Division of Collections and Infrastructure is accepting applications for the Endowments for Advancing the Humanities program. The purpose of this program is to fund 20-year term endowments that advance the humanities on college and university campuses and at independent educational institutions, specifically by building the organization’s capacity in research and teaching of Western civilization, American history and government, and civics.
Endowments are financed through a combination of NEH federal matching funds and nonfederal gifts. Under this notice, “gifts” are defined as contributions of third-party non-federal funds or the recipient's own institutional funds. During the period of performance, you will certify non-federal gifts that will be matched one-to-one with NEH federal matching funds.
During the endowment termyou will use income from the endowment for NEH-approved humanities purposes.
Deadlines
- CU Internal Deadline: 11:59pm MT January 7, 2026
- Sponsor Application Deadline: 9:59pm MT February 10, 2026
Internal Application Requirements (all in PDF format)
- Project Narrative (2 pages maximum): Describe: 1) the plans for endowment funds and how they would promote research and teaching of Western civilization, American history and government, and civics. Describe long-term planning efforts, how this work aligns, and whether it is part of a larger initiative. What is your vision for this work over twenty years?; 2) your organization’s financial stability and its past record of fundraising as well as your plans to raise the match for this project; and 3) key personnel who will manage fundraising, the endowment, and the work to promote research and teaching of Western civilization, American history and government, and civics during the endowment term.
- Work Plan (1 page maximum):Provide: 1) an overview of fundraising activities, benchmarks, staff and annual fundraising goals; 2) a schedule of plans for annual gift certifications (NEH’s annual certification deadline is January 31); and 3) details about when and how the endowment fund will be established.
- PI Curriculum Vitae
- Budget Overview (1 page maximum): A basic budget outlining project costs is sufficient; detailed OCG budgets are not required.Applicants must include the source of cost-share/matching funds in this budget overview and provide the name(s) from whom they have received commitments of matching support.
- Cost-Share Certification: Applicants must certify that they have confirmed cost-share commitments as part of the internal process and provide the name(s) of those who have committed in the budget overview. See RIOguidance for additional details.
To access the online application, visit:
Limited Submission Guidelines
CU Boulder may submit only one application for Endowments for Advancing the Humanities per deadline. This includes applications from subordinate units under a parent Organization.
Award Information
Requests can be between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000 in federal matching funds, to be matched one-to-one with non-federal gifts. You may request up to an additional $100,000 in outright funds for fundraising support costs (salaries, consultants, contracts, or subawards for fundraising personnel only) and related indirect costs during the period of performance.
Period of Performance: Up to 3 years
Anticipated Number of Awards: 5
Review Criteria
- Significance to the Humanities: The scope and significance of the applicant’s work in the humanities to promote research and teaching of Western civilization, American history and government, and civics.
- Plans for Endowment Income and Likely Impact: The strength, clarity, and level of detail of the description and justification of the proposed plans for endowment income during the 20-year term. The impact of endowment funds for promoting research and teaching of Western civilization, American history and government, and civics. Assessment and communication of the award’s impact.
- Fundraising Feasibility, Institutional Commitment, and Financial Health: The quality, specificity, and feasibility of the fundraising plans, and the applicant’s likelihood of success in certifying all gifts. The overall fiscal health of the organization to support fundraising efforts, endowment establishment, and prudent management of endowment funds. The suitability of the investment strategy. The level of commitment and engagement by the applicant’s leadership and community to support and implement the proposal throughout the period of performance and endowment term.
- Personnel: The qualifications of personnel identified to lead and support fundraising efforts and endowment management. The qualifications of personnel identified to promote research and teaching of Western civilization, American history and government, and civics during the endowment term.
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