Research News

Limited Submission Opportunity: NEH American Rescue Plan – Humanities Organizations

Applications due April 18, 2021

Vanderbilt University may submit only one application to the National Endowment for the Humanities American Rescue Plan: Humanities Organizations program.

This program invites applications from eligible organizations seeking support for humanities positions and projects that have been adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Through this funding opportunity, NEH will award grants to museums, libraries and archives, historic sites, independent research institutions, academic presses, professional organizations, colleges and universities, and other humanities organizations across the country to help these entities continue to advance their mission during the interruption of their operations due to the coronavirus pandemic. In keeping with Congress’ intent in enacting the American Rescue Plan, applicants may propose new humanities projects or focus on sustaining core humanities programs and activities.

Award information

Applicants may apply for an amount based on the average size of their total annual operating costs for the three most recently completed fiscal years. Due to its annual operating budget greater than $10 million, Vanderbilt University is eligible to apply only for Level III and may request up to $500,000.

Funds are available to support a range of activities over a one-year period of performance.

Allowable costs include, but are not limited to:

  • personnel costs (salaries and fringe benefits) for individuals employed by the applicant and dedicated to the proposed activities
  • fees for consultants and contractors
  • supplies and materials necessary to carry out the proposed activities
  • equipment necessary to carry out the proposed activities (not to exceed 20 percent of the total funds requested)
  • general operating support (typically recovered through indirect costs)

NEH area of interest

While all applications will be given equal consideration in accordance with the review criteria, NEH is especially interested in supporting projects that advance humanities-related work in the following area:

A More Perfect Union: Exploring America’s Story and Commemorating its 250th Anniversary

NEH’s A More Perfect Union initiative encourages projects that explore, reflect on and tell the stories of our quest for a more just, inclusive and sustainable society throughout our history. NEH especially welcomes projects that bring the perspective of the humanities to questions of racial justice, gender equality, the evolution of the American landscape, as well as America’s place in the world. Projects that strengthen Americans’ knowledge of our principles of constitutional governance and democracy are strongly encouraged, as are projects that address the experiences of Native Americans and other under-represented communities. In addition, NEH welcomes projects that develop innovative approaches to sustaining the nation’s humanities infrastructure and preserving its historical record.

See the Notice of Funding Opportunity for more information.

Internal application instructions

Interested faculty should visit https://vanderbilt.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1840571 to apply for the internal LSO competition and to find additional information about the opportunity.  The deadline for the internal competition is April 18, 2021.

Any questions about these opportunities may be directed to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.