Fellowship Programs at Independent Research Institutions 2025

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is a federal agency that supports research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. It offers a variety of grants that promote the study and dissemination of knowledge in areas such as history, literature, philosophy, and other humanities disciplines. The NEH fosters initiatives that encourage intellectual exchange and public understanding of the humanities. As part of its commitment to scholarly excellence and accessibility, NEH has forecasted a funding opportunity titled "Fellowship Programs at Independent Research Institutions." This forecasted grant program supports independent U.S. and international institutions that offer fellowships dedicated to advanced humanities research. These institutions are expected to cultivate scholarly communities, offer access to unique or underutilized resources, and foster robust intellectual exchange among resident fellows. The goal of the program is to strengthen the infrastructure for research in the humanities by enhancing institutional capacity to host individual scholars for extended research periods. Eligible applicants include a broad range of governmental and nonprofit entities, such as state and local governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions). These institutions must demonstrate the ability to support sustained research through residential fellowships and have the infrastructure necessary to facilitate humanities scholarship. The complete eligibility details will be available in the Notice of Funding Opportunity once it is posted, and applicants are advised to review that document carefully to ensure compliance. The forecasted funding amount for this opportunity is $2,000,000, with an award ceiling of $565,000. While the award floor is listed as $1, this is likely placeholder data and should be verified upon full notice release. The program anticipates issuing approximately 10 awards. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity. Funds may be used to support fellowship stipends, administrative costs associated with program delivery, and the promotion of research access and intellectual exchange. The estimated post date for the Notice of Funding Opportunity is May 13, 2025. Applications are projected to be due on August 13, 2025. Awards are expected to be announced by April 30, 2026, with funded projects beginning as early as January 1, 2027. The program is not offered on a rolling basis but appears to be recurring on an annual cycle. The next anticipated cycle, following the 2025 round, would likely begin in May 2026, with applications due in August 2026. Prospective applicants are encouraged to begin planning now and monitor the NEH’s website for updates. The primary point of contact for this opportunity is the Division of Research Programs at NEH. Inquiries may be directed to fpiri@neh.gov or by calling 202-606-8200. The official mailing address is National Endowment for the Humanities, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20506. Additional information and the full program description will be available at https://www.neh.gov/grants/research/fellowship-programs-independent-research-institutions.