NEA Grants for Arts Projects 2, FY 2026

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), a federal agency established by Congress in 1965, supports artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation across the United States. Through a wide range of programs, the NEA aims to strengthen the creative capacity of communities and provide all Americans with diverse opportunities for arts participation. One of its primary funding mechanisms is the Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) program, which is offered in two funding cycles each fiscal year. The GAP program serves as the NEA’s largest grants program for organizations, providing essential support for high-quality arts projects across disciplines and geographies. The GAP program is designed to support projects that engage the public with the arts, provide arts education, integrate arts into community wellness and development strategies, and build organizational capacity in the arts sector. The program welcomes applications from both new and previous grantees, including those serving rural, suburban, tribal, and urban communities. In addition to general public engagement, the NEA places emphasis on projects that align with its funding priorities, which are detailed in accompanying discipline-specific instructions. Disciplines supported include Artist Communities, Arts Education, Dance, Design, Film & Media Arts, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literary Arts, Local Arts Agencies, Museums, Music, Musical Theater, Opera, Our Town, Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works, Theater, and Visual Arts. Funding for most applicants ranges from $10,000 to $100,000, with a required 1:1 cost-share or match that can include both cash and in-kind contributions. Local Arts Agencies that are eligible for subgranting may request larger awards between $30,000 and $150,000, specifically for regranting programs. Funding is not available for individuals, commercial entities, or applications submitted by fiscal sponsors. All applicant organizations must be nonprofit, tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3), a unit of state or local government, or a federally recognized tribal entity. Additionally, applicants must have at least five years of arts programming prior to the application deadline. The application process is divided into two parts. Part 1 requires submission of the Application for Federal Domestic Assistance via Grants.gov using the opportunity number 2025NEA01GAP2. Part 2 requires submission of the Grant Application Form (GAF) through the NEA Applicant Portal. For the FY26 GAP 2 cycle, Part 1 is due by July 17, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET, and Part 2 is due by July 29, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET. Applicants in Texas and North Carolina affected by severe storms may request a deadline extension by July 24, 2025, by contacting weatheremergency@arts.gov with required justification and contact details. Notification of funding or rejection is expected in early to mid-April 2026. The earliest start date for funded projects under GAP 2 is June 1, 2026. Application instructions, including registration guidance and discipline-specific criteria, are available on the NEA’s website. Registration with Login.gov, SAM.gov, and Grants.gov is required prior to submission and may take several weeks. Applicants should estimate approximately 26 hours to complete the application process. For accessibility support or accommodations, contact civilrights@arts.gov at least two weeks before the deadline. Any updates to the program will be posted on the NEA’s website and social media platforms.

Applicants are advised to begin registrations early (Login.gov, SAM.gov, Grants.gov), as this process may take weeks. Webinars and instructional PDFs are available. Applicants should not wait for courtesy email notifications to begin Part 2.