Humanities Research Centers on Artificial Intelligence

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), through its Division of Research Programs, is soliciting applications for the Humanities Research Centers on Artificial Intelligence program under funding opportunity number 20251210-RAI. This initiative is designed to foster the creation of new collaborative humanities research centers focused on the societal and cultural implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States. With AI increasingly shaping civil rights, national security, and economic competitiveness, this program supports research centers that explore these dimensions through the lens of the humanities—including ethics, law, history, philosophy, and related disciplines. NEH will provide grants of up to $500,000 over a 36-month period, with a maximum of $200,000 per year. Applicants may also request up to $250,000 in federal matching funds, contingent upon raising third-party, non-federal contributions. Matching is optional unless these funds are requested. A total of approximately $2.5 million in federal funds is expected to be available for five awards. All proposed centers must begin their period of performance between May 1, 2026, and April 1, 2027. The application deadline is October 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The funded centers must undertake at least two related scholarly activities focused on the social and cultural aspects of AI. Acceptable activities include collaborative research and writing, educational programming, conferences, symposia, lecture series, workshops, or the creation of digital tools that facilitate scholarly discourse on AI. Projects must yield a mission statement, leadership structure, and institutional sustainability plan within the first year. Additionally, deliverables may include academic publications, curriculum development, or public programming to increase AI literacy. Dissemination of results is required, and the centers are encouraged to include outreach to K–12 and higher education institutions. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3), accredited institutions of higher education, state and local governments or agencies, or federally recognized Native American tribal governments. For-profit organizations, individuals, and foreign institutions are not eligible. Existing AI research centers are also excluded from eligibility. Each institution may submit only one application, and the project must not overlap with other federally funded work. Collaboration with international entities is permitted as long as U.S.-based scholars retain leadership and oversight. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov using the Workspace platform. Required components include a narrative, work plan, team member résumés, budget and justification, and letters of institutional commitment. NEH imposes strict formatting and page limits. Peer reviewers will evaluate proposals based on significance, planned activities, participant qualifications, feasibility, and long-term vision. The anticipated award notification is in April 2026, and successful applicants will manage their grants through NEH’s eGMS Reach system. Program contacts include AICenters@neh.gov for content questions and grantmanagement@neh.gov for administrative matters. Phone support is available at 202-606-8200. All applicants must have current and active SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations prior to submission. Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed. NEH requires compliance with federal cost principles, public access policies, and accessibility standards for all funded projects.

Submit early to avoid technical issues. Register in advance with SAM.gov and Grants.gov. Include dissemination strategy and long-term vision.