Humanities Texas Rural Grants

Humanities Texas, the state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, administers a new grant program called Rural Grants to extend support for humanities programming in less populous regions of Texas. With a mission to strengthen educational and cultural initiatives, this initiative targets communities in counties with populations of 60,000 or fewer. By eliminating a cost-share requirement and simplifying the application process, Humanities Texas seeks to bridge the philanthropic gap often present in rural areas. The Rural Grants are intended to support a broad array of public humanities programs. Eligible content includes history, literature, philosophy, art history, social sciences, and culture, among other themes. Programs may include book discussions, lectures, panel discussions, exhibitions, festivals, film screenings, oral history projects, and digital media efforts. All programs must be public-facing and grounded in humanistic inquiry, serving both adult and youth audiences outside the regular school setting. Programs aimed at special groups, such as K–12 educators, professional cohorts, or ethnic communities, are also encouraged. Awards are available up to $2,500 and can cover a wide range of program costs including personnel, consultants, honoraria, travel, promotional expenses, evaluation, and other program-related costs. Unlike other Humanities Texas grant lines, the Rural Grants do not require any matching or cost-share, reducing the administrative burden for smaller or less-resourced institutions. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with a requirement that they be submitted at least six weeks before the proposed program start date. The program start date must fall on the first day of a month. Award decisions are communicated within ten business days of application submission. A standard grant period spans six months, with extensions possible in the post-award phase. Eligible applicants must be based in qualifying Texas counties and may include museums, libraries, cultural centers, schools, community colleges, local governments, and similar entities. Applicants must have an active registration on SAM.gov and a publicly searchable UEI. Proposals are evaluated by the Humanities Texas executive director and staff. Selection criteria include the program’s humanities focus, quality of design, community impact, and applicant history. Priority is given to organizations in underserved counties or those who have not received funding in the past decade. Applications must be submitted online via the Humanities Texas grants portal. Staff assistance is available via phone or email, and applicants with limited internet access are encouraged to contact the team for accommodations. Final reports, including narrative summaries and expenditure details, are required within 90 days of the program’s end.

Ensure grant period starts on the first of a month at least six weeks after application; include clear program outcomes; firm humanities grounding required