NJ Council for the Humanities

 
 

Grants Overview

Discussion panel at a grantee Healing Workshop event.
NJCH Director of Grants and Programs Gigi Naglak shares grant program information.
Symposium hosted by grantee partners about tackling Difficult Conversations.
Oral history component for a grantee project about experiences of war.
Grantee interview at WFDU for Humanities Connection radio show.
NJCH Executive Director Briann Greenfield sharing information on Incubation Grants at the Unconference.

GRANTS

Our grants fund the development of meaningful humanities projects for New Jersey audiences. These projects demonstrate an awareness of the needs and interests of your audience and offer an opportunity for community members to explore our shared history, culture, values, and beliefs.


OVERVIEW

NJCH funds nonprofit organizations to develop meaningful humanities projects for New Jersey audiences.

We welcome applications from libraries, museums, educational institutions, social service organizations, historical societies, cultural organizations, and other community organizations. Larger organizations, such as colleges and universities, will need to demonstrate meaningful public engagement beyond the confines of the institution to have a competitive proposal.

Projects should involve a strong project team and must include a humanities scholar at some phase of the project. As you begin thinking about your grant proposal, please don’t hesitate to reach out to NJCH staff. We can connect you with resources, help you think through your project, and assist you in preparing a competitive proposal.

Any project supported by NJCH must have humanities at its core. Projects may take any form as long as they meet grant requirements. NJCH staff can help you determine which grant type is most appropriate for the project you envision.

ELIGIBILITY

The following criteria must be met to apply for a grant from NJCH:
  • Applicant must be a registered nonprofit organization or government entity in New Jersey, with at least one year of verifiable public operation prior to application.
  • Applicants may not have an open grant with NJCH during the proposed grant period. (One exception: organizations serving as a fiscal agent may also have a self-directed project funded.)
  • Ad-hoc groups may apply only as a co-sponsoring organization; an eligible organization must serve as the principal applicant and take fiscal responsibility.
  • All proposed projects must involve a humanities scholar at some phase of the project (for more about humanities scholars, please see the Grant FAQ).
NJCH does not fund:
  • General operating support.
  • Direct social action or political advocacy.
  • Projects that provide academic credit, scholarships, fellowships, or regular course offerings.
  • Scholarly programs directed to a limited audience.
  • Arts projects that do not contain significant humanities component or perspective.
  • Capital projects or the purchase of capital equipment greater than $4,000.
  • Repayment of loans or debts.
  • Fundraising activities.

HOW TO APPLY

NJCH’s online grant system incorporates all parts of the application process from the initial Intent to Apply up to final submission. The system will generate a unique URL that will enable your team to freely access the application system throughout the entire process.

1. REVIEW THE GUIDELINES AND CALENDAR

Please read through the entire Grants section of our website to ensure that you are eligible to apply for a grant and to determine which type of grant best suits your project. The grant calendar will help you determine when all application materials are due and when your project can begin. The NJCH Calendar of Events also contains grant deadlines as well as information about upcoming grant workshops, if applicable.

2. SELECT EITHER INCUBATION GRANT OR ACTION GRANT

The links are unique to their respective grants. The applications for each type of grant will only be active during each grant’s application period, but links to a printable version of the application are available all the time.

3. COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION

This will unlock the Intent to Apply form. The primary contact will also be sent an email which contains the unique URL for your application. Please save this email.

4. COMPLETE THE INTENT TO APPLY

NJCH staff will review your submitted Intent to Apply and notify you if you are invited to submit an application. If you are invited to submit, we will unlock the full application, which will be accessible from the same URL as the Intent to Apply. We strongly recommend that you submit the Intent to Apply early. Occasionally, applicants are asked to submit a revised Intent to Apply.

5. SUBMIT A DRAFT (optional)

Invited applicants may submit one draft for review up to two weeks before the application deadline. We will offer feedback in advance of the deadline.

6. SET-UP A SITE VISIT OR PHONE CONSULTATION

All invited applicants will be required to have a site visit or phone consultation prior to the application deadline. This is our opportunity to learn more about your proposed project and to answer any questions you might have about the grant application or process.

7. SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

Final applications must be submitted through our online system by the 11:59 p.m. on the application deadline listed on the grant calendar. Materials submitted late will not be considered. Once your final application is submitted, you will not be able to make any changes.

2018-2019 GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

INCUBATION GRANT, ROUND 1

Intent to Apply: September 1 – September 21, 2018
Drafts accepted: Through October 5, 2018
Application Deadline: October 18, 2018
Award Notification: By December 28, 2018
Projects Begin: No earlier than January 1, 2019

ACTION GRANT

Intent to Apply: February 1 – February 22, 2019
Drafts accepted: Through March 15, 2019
Application Deadline: April 4, 2019
Award Notification: By June 28, 2019
Projects Begin: No earlier than July 1, 2019

INCUBATION GRANT, ROUND 2

Intent to Apply: May 1 – May 24, 2019
Drafts accepted: Through June 7, 2019
Application Deadline: June 20, 2019
Award Notification: By August 30, 2019
Projects Begin: No earlier than September 1, 2019

INCUBATION GRANTS

Awarded twice per year, Incubation Grants support projects that are in development. Whether you are planning a new endeavor or re-imagining an existing program, these grants support the thoughtful preparation of a program before implementation.

$1,000 to $5,000

ACTION GRANTS

Awarded once per year, Action Grants support the implementation of new projects or expand existing programs. The most competitive applications describe audience needs and propose ways to address them through the humanities.

$2,000 to $20,000