NEA Research Labs, FY 2027

The NEA Research Labs program, administered by the National Endowment for the Arts, is a cornerstone funding initiative designed to support long-term, interdisciplinary research that builds public knowledge about the value and impact of the arts in American life. As part of the NEA's broader Research Awards initiative, this opportunity aims to foster transdisciplinary research teams—referred to as Labs—that execute multiple empirical studies, generate diverse research products and services, and disseminate findings to a wide array of audiences, including arts practitioners, policy makers, educators, healthcare professionals, and the general public. Each funded Lab must include at least two research disciplines and demonstrate national, regional, or field-wide significance in their scope of work. The FY27 cycle of NEA Research Labs will fund four awards, each ranging between $100,000 and $300,000, with a total program budget of $1.2 million, contingent on available funds. A strict 1:1 cost share is required, and cost share contributions may include a combination of cash and in-kind support, excluding any federal funds. The NEA prioritizes projects that are theory-driven and that rigorously investigate the value of the arts through well-articulated research agendas. Labs are expected to conduct a “keystone study” during their award period, with additional research projects aligned with a broader multi-year agenda. Projects must also maintain a public-facing website, produce at least one detailed research report per award period, and deliver two presentations annually—targeted separately at research and practitioner communities. Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status or institutions of higher education, each with a minimum of five years' experience conducting and disseminating behavioral or social science research. The lead applicant must demonstrate research and policy as a principal organizational focus. Fiscal sponsors are not permitted, and the program explicitly excludes individuals, commercial enterprises, for-profits, and government-affiliated arts agencies such as State Arts Agencies (SAAs) and Regional Arts Organizations (RAOs). A mandatory requirement for all applicants is a documented partnership with at least one external arts organization or working artist, with additional partnerships encouraged based on project topic. Applications follow a two-part submission process. Part 1 must be submitted via Grants.gov by March 23, 2026. Once accepted, applicants will access the NEA’s Applicant Portal from March 26 through April 2, 2026, to complete Part 2. This section includes the full application narrative, project budget, organizational history, timeline, and special attachments. Registration in SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and Login.gov is required prior to submission. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed. Notifications of funding decisions will be issued in November 2026, and awarded projects must begin on or after January 1, 2027. Projects may last up to three years, with quarterly reporting requirements and the potential for one renewal award, depending on NEA priorities and funding. Applications are evaluated through a closed-panel peer review process and assessed equally for artistic excellence and artistic merit. Review criteria include clarity of research agenda and keystone study, the expertise and collaboration of the project team, appropriateness of methods, dissemination strategy, and potential public benefit. Projects must comply with ethical standards for research involving human subjects, and applicable IRB approvals and ethics training documentation must be submitted before data collection begins. The NEA reserves the right to withhold funds until these materials are received. Final deliverables include two required research products: a 15–30 page publishable research report (including abstract and full paper) and a maintained Lab website. Additional products such as datasets, toolkits, or apps are encouraged. Projects should also factor accessibility compliance into their design and are subject to all applicable civil rights and federal regulations. Questions should be directed to [email protected], and full program details are outlined in the official FY27 NEA Research Labs Program Guidelines.

Clarify keystone study, build interdisciplinary team, and present a strong dissemination plan; sustain research agenda beyond award period.