Virginia Humanities Rapid Grant Program

The Rapid Grants program, administered by Virginia Humanities, is a funding initiative designed to support smaller-scale public humanities projects throughout Virginia. Virginia Humanities, based in Charlottesville and affiliated with the University of Virginia, operates as the state humanities council and is supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities, among other partners. This program reflects the organization's mission to deepen understanding of the human experience by offering flexible funding for short-term, high-impact projects. Rapid Grants are intended for projects with a limited scope and duration, especially those that can be completed within nine months. Projects must begin immediately after the award decision and be completed within this nine-month window. Funding is provided in full upon award notification, allowing grantees to quickly launch and manage their initiatives. The maximum funding available under this program is $3,500, with no stated minimum. Projects eligible for support include community forums, book or film discussion events, public lectures, teacher institutes, exhibits, media programs, and oral history or community history projects. The funding can also support project planning, curriculum development, travel for project personnel, and production of educational or interpretive publications. Applications are evaluated on adherence to the funding priorities and guidelines of Virginia Humanities. The Rapid Grants program specifically does not support political advocacy, indirect costs, building construction or renovation, international travel, alcohol, or awards and gifts. Projects that solely promote performing or creative arts without a clear public discussion or humanities-focused objective are not eligible. Applications must include a budget using the format provided in the application portal, and alternative formats are not accepted. To be eligible, applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or a similarly qualified entity as outlined in the program’s FAQ. Applicants may not apply to both the Rapid and Regular Grant programs simultaneously, nor can they apply if they received funding in the immediately preceding cycle. Additionally, organizations may not hold more than one active Virginia Humanities grant at a time, and previous grantees must submit and receive approval for a final report before applying again. The same project may receive funding in two separate cycles, but not more than twice. The Rapid Grants cycle occurs quarterly, and the next application window opens on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 9:00 AM. The deadline to submit is Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM, and award decisions will be announced on Monday, September 8, 2025. All grant funds will be distributed in full upon notification of award. Applications must be submitted through the Virginia Humanities grants portal. Sample budgets and eligibility guidance are available in the FAQ section on the Virginia Humanities website. For additional information, applicants may contact Virginia Humanities at (434) 924-3296 or by email at info@VirginiaHumanities.org. Applicants are encouraged to review the FAQ and eligibility information before applying to ensure compliance with grant policies and requirements.