Date posted: June 8, 2007

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 45.164

Questions?

Public humanities programs promote the experience of lifelong learning in American and world history, literature, comparative religion, philosophy, and other fields of the humanities for broad public audiences. They invite reflection and conversation about important humanities ideas and questions. They offer new insights into familiar subjects and introduce us to unfamiliar ideas.

As part of its We the People program, NEH supports public humanities projects that exploit the evocative power of historic places to address themes and issues central to American history and culture, including those that advance knowledge of how the founding principles of the United States have shaped American history and culture for more than two hundred years. Interpreting America's Historic Places projects may interpret a single historic site or house, a series of sites, an entire neighborhood, a town or community, or a larger geographical region. The place taken as a whole must be significant to American history, and the project must convey its historic importance to visitors. The audience for Interpreting America's Historic Places projects is the general public. (For other public humanities projects that may not focus so closely on historic places, refer to the planning grant guidelines for America's Historic and Cultural Organizations.)

The goals of Interpreting America's Historic Places are to:

• enhance lifelong learning in American history by connecting nationally significant events, people, ideas, stories, and traditions with specific places;
• foster the development of interpretive programs for the public that address central events, themes, and issues in American history; and
• encourage consultation with humanities scholars and history organizations in the development of heritage tourism destinations.

Interpreting America's Historic Places projects should:

• interpret a place that played a significant role in American history;
• enrich the visitor experience at one or more historic places by interpreting these places in light of broader themes in American history;
• make use of the specific features of one or more historic places—the site, its location, buildings, or other natural or built features—as integral parts of the proposed interpretation;
• be based on sound humanities scholarship;
• involve humanities scholars in all phases of development and implementation;
• approach the subject thematically, analytically, and interpretively through an appropriate variety of perspectives;
• interest broad audiences; and
• employ appealing and accessible program formats that will actively engage the public in learning.

Applicants inside and outside of the traditional history community—such as historic preservation organizations, heritage tourism and economic development agencies, community and other non-profit organizations, and agencies of local, state, or tribal governments—are encouraged to apply. However, such applicants are also encouraged to work in close partnership with at least one partner organization that has experience in developing and implementing humanities programs.

Project formats for Interpreting America's Historic Places projects might include visitor orientation exhibits, interpretive displays and labeling, revised scripts and content-based education training materials for docents, publications such as brochures or guidebooks, interpretive driving or walking trails or tours, annotated itineraries, trail signage, video or audio displays, on-site interactive media, and digital products.

Applications that make use of new and emerging technologies are encouraged. Digital projects should do more than simply provide a digital archive of material. They should offer new ways of contextualizing and interpreting information that engage public audiences interactively in exploring humanities ideas and questions. Applications may, for example, include plans to create Web sites, PDA tours and resources, podcasts, virtual environments, wiki formats or others that utilize user-generated content, virtual imaging, GIS mapping, online scholar-led discussions, video on demand, streaming video, games, or other digital components. Digital components should rest on sound humanities scholarship and enhance the project's humanities content in ways that take unique advantage of the chosen technology.

About Planning Grants

NEH especially encourages projects that promise to reach exceptionally large audiences. Such projects might:

• combine diverse and wide-ranging interpretive formats that attract new audiences or expand and deepen in new ways the same audience's engagement with American history and culture;
• tie a variety of historic places together coherently within a broad, multi-thematic interpretive framework; or
• take advantage of statewide or regional agencies or organizations (e.g. parks and recreation systems, heritage areas, state humanities councils, etc).

Support is also available for projects that build new programs around previously-funded NEH projects, creating complementary formats that will add new dimensions to the original project. A film project, for example, might be enhanced by a project that interprets one or more historic places. A visitor's experience of a place might be deepened and extended to virtual visitors through a content-rich companion Web site. A well-interpreted historic place might expand its visitor experience through stronger interpretive connections with other historic places. Projects that would develop film, radio (including related podcasts), or television programs as the primary grant product should follow separate guidelines for media projects.

Each Interpreting America's Historic Places project should be guided by a team of advisers who have helped to develop the project's concepts and themes. The advisory team's expertise normally complements that of the applicant's staff. The team must include humanities scholars. As needed, it may also include others with experience and knowledge appropriate to the project's formats or technical requirements. Proposals that are competitive have a variety of consultants representing a range of humanities perspectives. Projects that rely on a single consultant are not competitive.

Planning grants may support all activities connected with project planning, including:

• meeting with scholars and advisers, program partners, and representatives of target audiences or other key personnel involved in the project to maintain progress in planning, develop and review content and design, share expertise, and identify additional resources;
• conducting focus groups or other forms of preliminary audience evaluation;
• beta testing of digital formats;
• performing research at other sites, collections, or other resources;
• drafting of text for labels, signage, brochures, publications, or other interpretive materials;
• preliminary design of interpretive materials or Web site;
• preparing the associated programs and materials for dissemination;
• developing a proposal for implementation; or
• planning for training for docents, discussion coordinators, or other relevant interpretive leaders for the project.

Planning grants for Interpreting America's Historic Places cannot be used for the following types of programs or activities:

• single-site temporary exhibitions;
• purchase of art or artifacts;
• professional development;
• programs in foreign countries;
• programs primarily for students in formal learning environments;
• projects that will satisfy requirements for educational degrees or formal professional training;
• general operations, renovation, restoration, rehabilitation, or construction;
• projects primarily devoted to basic background research on the subject, as opposed to actual refinement of the interpretive ideas and formats;
• projects for preservation, cataloging, or archiving rather than public programming;
• projects that seek to persuade participants of a particular political, philosophical, religious, or ideological point of view; or
• projects that advocate a particular program of social action.

We the People Grant Program

Rediscovering Afghanistan

Digital Humanities Initiative

If you have questions about whether your proposal for a digital project would fit more easily within this category as opposed to Interpreting America's Historic Places, we encourage you to call a program officer for advice about where to apply.

Successful applicants will be awarded a grant in outright or matching funds, depending on the applicant's preference and the availability of NEH funds.

Awards typically last for a period of 12 months.

Awards typically do not exceed $40,000.

Awards of up to $75,000, however, are available for more complex projects that promise to reach exceptionally wide audiences. Such projects would involve any of the following:

• collaboration with multiple institutional partners (including, e.g., members of a state or regional network, such as a state park system or heritage area);
• in-depth visitor experience at multiple sites; or
• exceptionally wide-ranging combination of diverse formats at a single historic place.

Cost Sharing

(Learn more about different types of grant funding.)

Any U.S. nonprofit organization with IRS 501(c)3 tax exempt status is eligible, as are state and local governmental agencies. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

NEH generally does not award grants to other federal entities or to applicants whose projects are so closely intertwined with a federal entity that the project takes on characteristics of the federal entity's own authorized activities. This does not preclude applicants from using grant funds from, or sites and materials controlled by, other federal entities in their projects.

Ineligible applications will not be reviewed.

Application advice and proposal drafts

Prior to submitting a proposal, you are encouraged to contact program officers who can offer advice about preparing the proposal, supply samples of funded applications, and review preliminary proposal drafts. NEH recommends that drafts be submitted a month before the deadline to ensure sufficient time to respond. These staff comments are not part of the formal review process and have no bearing on the final outcome of the proposal, but previous applicants have found them helpful in strengthening their application. Drafts should not be submitted via Grants.gov

REGISTER OR VERIFY REGISTRATION WITH GRANTS.GOV

Applications for this program must be submitted via Grants.gov. Before using Grants.gov for the first time, each organization must register with the Web site to create an institutional profile. Once registered, your organization can then apply for any government grant on the Grants.gov Web site.

If your organization has already registered, you may skip this step. If not, please see our handy checklist to guide you through the registration process. We recommend you complete your registration at least two weeks before the application deadline, as it takes time for your registration to be processed. If you have problems registering with Grants.gov, call the Grants.gov help desk at 1-800-518-4726.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE PUREEDGE VIEWER SOFTWARE

In order to fill out a Grants.gov application package, you will need to download and install the appropriate version of the free PureEdge Viewer software.

• PureEdge for PC
• PureEdge for Mac (Intel processor)
• PureEdge for Mac (PPC processor)

If you have a problem installing PureEdge Viewer, it may be because you do not have permission to install a new program on your computer. Many organizations have rules about installing new programs. If you encounter a problem, contact your system administrator.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION PACKAGE

Save the application package to your computer's hard drive. To open the application package, select the file and double click. You do not have to be online to work on it.

You can save your application package at any time by clicking the "Save" button at the top of your screen. Tip: If you choose to save your application package before you have completed it, you may receive an error message indicating that your application is not valid if all of the forms have not been completed. Click "OK" to save your work and complete the package another time. You can also use e-mail to share the application package with members of your organization or project team.

The application package contains three forms that you must complete in order to submit your application:

1. Application for Federal Domestic Assistance - Short Organizational (SF-424 Short) — this form asks for basic information about the project, the project director, and the institution.
2. Supplementary Cover Sheet for NEH Grant Programs — this form asks for additional information about the project director, the institution, and the budget.
3. NEH Attachment Form — this form allows you to attach your narrative, budget, and the other parts of your application.

HOW TO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE SF-424 SHORT FORM

Select the form from the menu and double click to open it. Please provide the following information:

1. Name of Federal Agency: This will be filled in automatically with "National Endowment for the Humanities."
2. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: This will be filled in automatically with the CFDA number and title of the NEH program to which you are applying.
3. Date Received: Please leave blank.
4. Funding Opportunity Number: This will be filled in automatically.
5. Applicant Information: In this section, please supply the name, address, employer/taxpayer identification number (EIN/TIN), DUNS number, Web site address, and congressional district of the institution. Also choose the "type" that best describes your institution (you only need to select one).

If your institution is located, for example, in the 5th Congressional District of your state, put a "5." If your institution doesn't have a congressional district (e.g. it is in a state or U.S. territory that doesn't have districts or is in a foreign country), put a "0" (zero).

All institutions applying to federal grant programs are required to provide a DUNS number, issued by Dun & Bradstreet, as part of their application. Project directors should contact their institution’s grant administrator or chief financial officer to obtain their institution’s DUNS number. Federal grant applicants can obtain a DUNS number free of charge by calling 1-866-705-5711. (Learn more about the requirement.)

6. Project Information: Provide the title of your project. Your title should be brief, descriptive, and substantive. It should also be informative to a non-specialist audience. Provide a brief description of your project. The description should be written for a non-specialist audience and clearly state the importance of the proposed work and its relation to larger issues in the humanities. List the starting and ending dates for your project.
7. Project Director: Provide the Social Security Number, name, title, mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone and fax numbers for the project director.

   Disclosure of Social Security Numbers is optional. NEH uses them for internal application processing only.

8. Primary Contact/Grants Administrator: Provide the contact information for the official responsible for the administration of the grant (e.g., negotiating the project budget and ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of the award). This person is often a grants or research officer, or a sponsored programs official. Normally, the Institutional Grants Administrator is not the same person as the Project Director. If the project director and the grant administrator are the same person, skip to item 9.
9. Authorized Representative: Provide the contact information for the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) who is submitting the application on behalf of the institution. This person, often called an "Authorizing Official," is typically the president, vice president, executive director, provost, or chancellor. In order to become an AOR, the person must be designated by the institution's E-Business Point of Contact. For more information, please consult the Grants.Gov user guide, which is available at: http://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport.

HOW TO FILL OUT THE SUPPLEMENTARY COVER SHEET FOR NEH GRANT PROGRAMS

Select the form from the menu and double click to open it. Please provide the following information:

1. Project Director: Use the pull down menu to select the major field of study for the project director.
2. Institution Information: Use the pull down menu to select your type of institution.
3. Project Funding: Enter your project funding information. Note that applicants for Challenge Grants should use the right column only; applicants to all other programs should use the left column only.
4. Application Information: Indicate whether the proposal will be submitted to other NEH grant programs, government agencies, or private entities for funding. If so, please indicate where and when. NEH frequently cosponsors projects with other funding sources. Providing this information will not prejudice the review of your application.

For Type of Application, check "new" if the application requests a new period of funding, whether for a new project or the next phase of a project previously funded by NEH. Check "supplement" if the application requests additional funding for a current NEH grant. If requesting a supplement, provide the current grant number (applicants should discuss their request with a NEH program officer before submitting such an application).

For Project Field Code, use the pull down menu to select the humanities field of the project. If the project is multidisciplinary, choose the field that corresponds to the project's predominant discipline.

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

You will prepare your application for submission via Grants.gov just as you would a paper application. Your application should consist of the following parts:

1. Table of contents List all parts of the application and page numbers.
2. Budget
Using the instructions, complete the budget form (PDF). If you wish, you may attach separate pages with notes to explain any of the budget items in more detail. Applicants are advised to retain a copy of the PDF containing their budget form.
3. Narrative The narrative should not exceed 20 single-spaced pages, with one-inch margins, and be at least 11-point type. It should contain the following, in this order:
• The nature of the request Provide a one-to-two paragraph overview of the project and its interpretive goals. Describe the format(s), the subject and main themes, the amount of money requested from NEH, and the total project budget. Identify any related public programs that are part of the project. Explain the appropriateness of the project for your organization. Applications that build on previously-funded NEH projects by adding new program formats must describe the previous project's components, explain what the new formats would be, show how they would effectively enhance the previous project, and explain how audiences would be reached and how new interpretive possibilities would be added.
• Project introduction Identify the place to be interpretated and explain what makes it nationally significant. What happened there and why is it important? What central themes or issues in American history will the project address? Identify the historical subject matter of the project, its interpretative approach, and its use of significant humanities themes.

  Explain why the project will engage the public and what you expect people to learn. How are the specific attributes of the place—the site, its location, buildings, landscape, or other natural or built features—an integral part of the public's learning experience?

  Indicate whether the project has received a "Preserve America," "Save America's Treasures," or "America's Heritage Rivers" designation, and note briefly how national historic significance or interpretation was part of that designation.

  Note other significant awards or designations (e.g., National Historic Landmark, National Heritage Area, or state-designated historic landmark or heritage area).

  Give a brief history of the project to date (e.g., any previous funding from any other sources, development activities, research already completed, consultation with scholars or other advisers, contacts with partner organizations, and other related activities). If appropriate, describe the relationship of the project to others on the topic, and explain what its unique contribution would be. How does this proposed interpretation differ from what was previously available at this historic place?

• Description Describe the assets of the site(s) (e.g., buildings, natural features, landscape, collections of objects, images, documents) and how they will be used effectively to convey the project's themes.

  If necessary, discuss how permission or rights will be obtained for key materials and the likely costs of obtaining those rights.

  Describe each component (e.g., interpretive display, publication, signage, Web site, lecture series, hands-on activity, radio or film production, etc.), and explain how each will fulfill the project goals and engage particular audiences. Explain why these particular programs have been chosen and how they will complement the project.

  For Web-based or other digital projects, describe the humanities content, including the principal figures, events, issues, and themes to be explored and the humanities scholarship to be used. Explain how the organization and presentation of material would enhance users' understanding of the content. If the project relies substantially on user-generated content, include a description of how the project would use humanities scholars and draw upon humanities scholarship. In addition, outline the criteria and process to be used for selecting the content that will ultimately be made available to the public.

  Web sites should be designed in accordance with accepted standards for accessibility and usability by members of the general public, including those with visual and other disabilities.

  Include examples of existing projects (such as Web sites) that you would use as models for your proposed project. All applicants must include a sample of previous work from the individuals who would be most involved in the design and production of the digital components. Please see the instructions for sending work samples below.

  If your application is for a higher level of funding, explain in what way the project is exceptionally complex or how it is likely to reach exceptionally broad audiences. How do the combination of diverse formats, collaboration with multiple institutional partners, or deep multi-site visitor experiences make the project a good candidate for additional planning funds?

  Projects with oral histories should discuss how the project will adhere to the guidelines of the Oral History Association and include an outline of proposed topics for the interviews, a list of the people to be interviewed or a description of the criteria for their selection and the plans for their recruitment, a description of the qualifications of the interviewers, a discussion of how the interviews will complement existing resources, and a copy of the permission or release form.

• Audience Discuss how the project will broaden public engagement in the humanities. Describe the expected participants or audiences for each project component or site, including any targeted or hard-to-reach groups. Explain the plans for publicizing the project. Outline audience evaluation procedures.
• Organization history Provide a short profile of your organization and other major partner organizations. These descriptions should include the:
  • institutional mission, origin, and size;
  • annual operating budget;
  • annual visitation;
  • special characteristics and current activities; and
  • humanities resources (such as collections or staff).
  Limit this profile to one page for major partners and a half page for each of the other collaborating organizations. If the institutions involved have any prior experience in cooperating with one another, describe that experience and the nature of those partnerships.
• Project team Provide a comprehensive overview of the project team, including staff members, scholars, and other program experts. Using short paragraphs, describe the qualifications and contributions of each project team member and indicate how their expertise is relevant to the needs of the project. Organize the paragraphs into two sections: one for staff from your institution and one for outside consultants.

  Include specific details on the responsibilities of each collaborating organization when appropriate.

  Résumés (two pages or less) for each person listed and letters of commitment from consultants should be included in the appendix.

• Workplan Provide a detailed month-by-month schedule of the specific tasks and the individuals responsible for them. It is often helpful to present this section in a grid format. Clearly indicate when the planning team will meet and the expected results of each meeting. Describe the expected product(s).
• Fund-raising plans Explain how your organization will meet its share of the costs and outline your fund-raising plans.
• Samples of previous digital work Provide examples of previously completed work. If members of the digital team have not worked together before, then separate samples should be submitted for each principal member.

  Append a page to the end of the narrative describing the sample or samples of the companion digital component and indicating the roles played by each person on the digital team. In addition, please specify the platform on which the sample component is designed to operate.

  If the digital work is on a Web site, provide the URL and clearly indicate that this Web site is your work sample. If the sample work is on a DVD or CD, follow the instructions in the "How to Submit Supplementary Materials" section below.

4. Appendices The following information should appear in the application's appendices:
   • résumés (two pages or less) of all key project staff and consultants;
   • letters of commitment from consultants and collaborating organizations;
   • a bibliography of sources;
   • documentation of awards and designations; and
   • if appropriate, a description of the collections or archives upon which the project is based, if not already covered in the narrative.

You will use this form to attach the various files that make up your application.

Your attachments must be in Portable Document Format (.pdf). We cannot accept attachments in their original word processing or spreadsheet formats. If you don't already have software to convert your files into PDFs, there are many low-cost and free software packages available. To learn more, go to http://www.neh.gov/grants/grantsgov/pdf.html.

When you open the NEH Attachment Form, you will find 15 attachment buttons, labeled "Attachment 1" through "Attachment 15." By clicking on a button, you will be able to choose the file from your computer that you wish to attach. You must name and attach your files in the proper order so that we can identify them. Please attach the proper file to the proper button as listed below:

ATTACHMENT 1: To this button, please attach your table of contents. Please name the file "contents.pdf".

ATTACHMENT 2: To this button, please attach your budget. Please name the file "budget.pdf".

ATTACHMENT 3: To this button, please attach your narrative. Please name the file "narrative.pdf".

ATTACHMENT 4: To this button, please attach your résumés. Please name the file "resumes.pdf"

ATTACHMENT 5: To this button, please attach your letters of commitment. Please name the file "letters.pdf"

ATTACHMENT 6: To this button, please attach your bibliography. Please name the file "bibliography.pdf"

ATTACHMENT 7: To this button, please attach your documentation of awards and designations. Please name the file "documentation.pdf"

ATTACHMENT 8: To this button, please attach your description of collections or archives. Please name the file "description.pdf"

Use the remaining buttons to attach any additional materials (if appropriate). Please give these attachments meaningful file names and ensure that they are PDFs.

Do not embed any additional PDF files within any of the attachments.

UPLOADING YOUR APPLICATION TO GRANTS.GOV

When you have completed all three forms, use the right-facing arrow to move each of them to the "Mandatory Documents for Submission" column. Once they have been moved over, the "Submit" button will activate. You are now ready to upload your application package to Grants.gov.

During the registration process, your institution designated one or more AORs (Authorized Organization Representatives). These AORs typically work in your institution's Sponsored Research Office or Grants Office. When you have completed your application, you must ask your AOR to submit the application, using the special username and password that was assigned to him or her during the registration process.

To submit your application, your computer must have an active connection to the Internet. To begin the submission process, click the "submit" button. A page will appear asking you to sign and submit your application. At this point, your AOR will enter his or her username and password. When you click the "sign and submit application" button, your application package will be uploaded to Grants.gov. Please note that it may take some time to upload your application package depending on the size of your files and the speed of your Internet connection.

After the upload is complete, a confirmation page, which includes a tracking number, will appear indicating that you have submitted your application to Grants.gov. Please print this page for your records. The AOR will also receive a confirmation e-mail.

NEH suggests that you submit your application no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the day of the deadline. That way, should you encounter a technical problem of some kind, you will still have time to contact the Grants.gov help desk for support. The Grants.gov help desk is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time at 1-800-518-4726. You can also send an e-mail to support@grants.gov .

HOW TO SUBMIT SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS

In addition to any required work samples, applicants may include supplementary materials, such as slides (up to ten, with brief captions), photographs, catalogs, CD-ROMs, or sample work for presentation at the panel meeting. Please provide 7 copies of each item. If you are sending supplementary materials, please include a list of the materials to be mailed separately in your Grants.gov submission. Mail the materials to:

1. Intellectual content: How well does the project deal with significant humanities themes? Is it broadly conceived, based on sound scholarship, and appropriately analytical?
2. Fit with "Interpreting America's Historic Places" goals: Is the place significant to American history? Does the applicant propose to incorporate attributes of the specific place—the site, its location, buildings, landscape, or other natural or built features—as an integral part of the story? Does the proposed interpretation of the place address central themes and issues in American history?
3. Justification for higher award: If the application requests higher levels of funding, how convincing is the case that the project is exceptionally complex, appeals to a wide variety of audiences, offers in-depth interpretation at multiple sites, or involves multiple institutional partners?
4. Audience interest and reach: Does the applicant demonstrate that the proposed interpretation would enhance a visitor's experience of one or more places? Will the topic have broad public appeal and expand the public's understanding of American History? Will the project draw in and engage audiences effectively? Could it be adapted for other places?
5. Format: Are the program formats appropriate for presenting the events, ideas, and themes that will convey the national significance of the place? If the project involves multiple formats, how well do they complement and support one another? If the project relies substantially on user—or audience-generated content, is it clear how that material would be reviewed and made publicly available?
6. Resources: Have the appropriate materials and resources been clearly identified? Are they the right ones for the project, and are they available?
7. Project team: Does it have the necessary expertise, interpretive experience, and technical skills? Has a team of humanities scholars been effectively involved? Are all the institutional partners in place, and is there evidence that they will collaborate productively?
8. Work plan: Is it realistic, clearly outlined, and efficient?
9. Budget: Are the project's costs realistic, appropriate, and reasonable?

Review and Selection Process

Award notices

Administrative requirements

Award conditions

Reporting requirements

Interim and final performance reports will be required. Further details can be found in Enclosure 2, Performance Reporting Requirements.

A Federal Cash Transactions Report (2-page PDF) will be due within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter. A final Financial Status Report (2-page PDF) will be due within 90 days after the completion date of the award period. Further details can be found in Financial Reporting Requirements (formerly Enclosure 1).

If you have questions about the program, contact:

Division of Public Programs
National Endowment for the Humanities
Room 426
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20506
202-606-8269

If you need help using Grants.gov, contact:

Grants.gov: http://www.grants.gov
Grants.gov help desk: support@grants.gov
Grants.gov customer support tutorials and manuals: http://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport
Grant.gov support line: 1-800-518-GRANTS (4726)

Privacy Policy

Application Completion Time

Please send any comments regarding the estimated completion time or any other aspect of this application, including suggestions for reducing the completion time, to the Office of Publications, National Endowment for the Humanities, Washington, D.C. 20506; and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (3136-0134), Washington, D.C. 20503. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB number.