NEH CARES: Cultural Organizations
At a glance
NEH CARES: Cultural Organizations is a closed federal grant opportunity from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The application deadline was May 11, 2020. Individual awards are listed as $1 – $300K, with about 600 awards expected and $35M in total estimated funding. Applicant types listed as eligible include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, public colleges & universities and 3 more. Cost sharing is not required. It is funded under Assistance Listing 45.149 (Promotion of the Humanities Division of Preservation and Access) and 4 other listings.
Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.
Key facts
- Posted
- Apr 20, 2020
- Close date
- May 11, 2020
- Award floor
- $1
- Award ceiling
- $300,000
- Est. total funding
- $35,000,000
- Expected awards
- 600
- Cost sharing
- Not required
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Opportunity category
- Discretionary
Who can apply
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Public colleges & universities
- Federally recognized tribal governments
- 501(c)(3) nonprofits
- Private colleges & universities
Additional information on eligibility (from the notice)
See Section C of the notice of funding opportunity for additional eligibility information.
Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.
What it funds
Official synopsis as published by the agency, formatted for readability.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act recognizes that the nonprofit humanities sector is an essential component of America’s economic and civic life. The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has received supplemental funding to provide emergency relief to institutions and organizations working in the humanities that have been affected by the coronavirus. In keeping with Congress’s intent in enacting the CARES Act, proposed short-term projects should emphasize retaining or hiring humanities staff.
NEH invites applications from eligible organizations seeking support for at-risk humanities positions and projects that have been impacted by the coronavirus. Through this funding opportunity, NEH will award grants to museums, libraries and archives, historic sites, independent research institutions, professional organizations, colleges and universities, and other cultural organizations across the country to help these entities continue to advance their mission during the interruption of their operations due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Assistance Listings
What is an ALN?- 45.149Promotion of the Humanities Division of Preservation and AccessProgram →
- 45.161Promotion of the Humanities ResearchProgram →
- 45.162Promotion of the Humanities Teaching and Learning Resources and Curriculum DevelopmentProgram →
- 45.164Promotion of the Humanities Public ProgramsProgram →
- 45.169Promotion of the Humanities Office of Digital HumanitiesProgram →
Reported obligations under ALN 45.149
Historical data · not a predictionAgency contact (as published)
National Endowment for the Humanities
questions@neh.gov
202-606-8401
Quick answers
Who is eligible to apply for “NEH CARES: Cultural Organizations”?
The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public colleges & universities, Federally recognized tribal governments, 501(c)(3) nonprofits and Private colleges & universities. Additional restrictions may apply; review the full notice.
How much funding is available through “NEH CARES: Cultural Organizations”?
Per the notice, individual awards are listed as $1 – $300k, total estimated program funding is $35,000,000 and the agency expects to make about 600 awards.
How do I apply for “NEH CARES: Cultural Organizations”?
Applications are submitted through the official source, not through GrantsJunction. Open the official notice on Grants.gov (opportunity 20200511-AH-GA-HC-RJ-PB), and review the full announcement and application package. Organizations applying through Grants.gov generally need an active SAM.gov registration and a Grants.gov account, which can take several weeks to set up.
Related open opportunities
Matched on shared Assistance Listings, agency, categories and eligible applicant types.
Landmarks of History and Culture and Summer Institutes
National Endowment for the Humanities- Award range
- $1 – $460K
- Closes
- Dec 9, 2026
- Who can apply
- State governments, County governments, City or township governments and 5 more
Collections Stewardship
National Endowment for the Humanities- Award range
- $50K – $500K
- Closes
- Dec 15, 2026
- Who can apply
- State governments, County governments, City or township governments and 5 more
National Digital Newspaper Program
National Endowment for the Humanities- Award range
- $1 – $325K
- Closes
- Jan 13, 2027
- Who can apply
- State governments, County governments, City or township governments and 5 more