Rebirth Grant

The Rebirth Grants program is administered by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH), an organization dedicated to promoting access to humanities-based content and cultural enrichment across the state of Louisiana. Through Rebirth Grants, LEH seeks to empower local organizations in all 64 parishes to initiate and implement public-facing humanities projects that engage diverse audiences and amplify Louisiana's cultural heritage. The program reflects LEH’s commitment to community inclusion, scholarship, and regional representation in the humanities field. Rebirth Grants are designed to support a wide array of humanities-focused initiatives. Eligible projects may include public humanities programs with active audience participation and discussion, documentary photography, radio and podcast production, humanities-based festivals and exhibitions, digital humanities efforts like websites or virtual documentation of Louisiana’s culture, and publication projects. Speaker series, educational initiatives rooted in the humanities, and interpretive festival formats are also eligible. All proposals must include the participation of at least one humanities scholar who possesses demonstrable expertise, such as an advanced degree, publication record, or substantial cultural knowledge, and can act in planning, speaking, or evaluating capacities. The grant awards range from $1,000 to $5,000. All applicants are required to demonstrate a 1:1 matching cost share, either in cash or in-kind contributions. LEH may award partial funding, and in such cases, will confirm with the applicant that the proposed project remains feasible with a reduced budget. Rebirth Grant funds cannot be used for creative or performing arts, scholarship exclusively for academic audiences, capital improvements, operational support, political advocacy, archival work without public engagement, or coursework for academic credit (except for teacher institutes). The application window for the 2026 grant cycle is open from February 19 to April 16, 2026. Funded activities must begin no earlier than September 1, 2026, and must be completed by October 31, 2027. Applications will be reviewed initially by LEH staff and then by a Grants Review Committee composed of board members and Louisiana-based scholars. Evaluation criteria include the strength of humanities content, scholarly participation, outreach and partnership strategies, geographic and audience diversity, as well as the feasibility of the timeline and budget. All applicants must submit an EIN, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), IRS determination letter, and form 990 if applicable. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit letters of support from scholars and partner organizations to demonstrate community involvement. The LEH also offers resources such as a sample application, budget templates, and recorded video guidance to assist applicants. Q&A sessions for prospective applicants are scheduled for March 3 and March 12, 2026, via virtual registration. For more information or assistance, applicants may contact Wayne Dowdy, the Grants Manager, at [email protected] or call (504) 356-0171. The Rebirth Grants are offered on a recurring annual basis. Applicants should refer to the LEH website for official documentation and further guidance. Successful applicants will be notified of awards in early June 2026. This program continues to serve as a cornerstone of LEH’s mission to advance humanities programming throughout Louisiana, encouraging community dialogue, cultural documentation, and equitable access to educational resources.

Strong proposals include humanities scholars, community letters of support, and a clear evaluation plan. Avoid arts-only projects or those lacking public engagement.