The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Office of Federal/State Partnership is offering the State and Jurisdictional Humanities Councils General Operating Support Grants for 2025. These grants are intended to provide general operating support to NEH-designated nonprofit state and jurisdictional humanities councils throughout the United States and its territories. The councils, in turn, use these funds to expand public understanding of the humanities and to extend NEH-funded programs into local communities. This funding is determined annually through a legislatively mandated formula.
The main purpose of this grant opportunity is to support the infrastructure and programming of state and jurisdictional humanities councils, allowing them to pursue their mission of promoting humanities education and engagement within their respective regions. Each council develops its own plan and priorities, tailored to local needs and interests. Grants support both council-led programs and those managed through subawards. Program outcomes are expected to include increased public access to the humanities and greater public understanding of topics such as history, literature, philosophy, and the arts.
Funding is expected to total approximately $50 million for fiscal year 2025, with individual awards ranging from $200,000 to $3 million. These awards fund activities over a five-year period, with funds supporting programs in the first three years and closeout activities in years four and five. Councils are required to apply annually. The 2025 funding period is from November 1, 2025, to October 31, 2026. Matching funds are required on a one-to-one basis, except for specified waivers applicable to certain territories.
Eligibility is limited to nonprofit, independent 501(c)(3) humanities councils recognized by NEH. Other entities, including individuals, for-profit entities, and fiscal sponsors, are ineligible. Subawards can be issued by eligible councils to a defined range of nonprofit and public entities, as well as individuals, provided they meet eligibility and UEI requirements. Subawards may not be issued to for-profit or foreign entities, or to fiscal agents.
Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by May 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Required components include an annual plan, budget justification, and various federal forms such as SF-424 and SF-424A. A multi-step registration process with SAM.gov and Grants.gov is required and should be completed well in advance. Detailed formatting and content instructions for all application materials are provided in the notice.
Evaluation of applications is conducted by NEH staff, who assess eligibility and completeness. The National Council on the Humanities will review annual plans and make funding recommendations. Final decisions are made by the NEH Chairman. Performance is evaluated annually based on the outputs and outcomes proposed in each application. Notifications of award decisions will begin in November 2025. All recipients are subject to ongoing reporting and compliance requirements, including financial and performance reporting.
