Humanities New York Action Grants

Humanities New York Action Grants is a grant program from Humanities New York that funds projects activating, framing, or deepening public understanding of what it means to be human. Open to nonprofits, public agencies, tribal governments, and institutions of higher education in New York State, the program provides up to $5,000 per project.

Note that Action Grants are currently paused due to federal funding uncertainties related to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Humanities New York also offers Reading and Discussion Grants and a Humanities Centers Initiative providing $4,000 to $8,000 to support sustained humanities programming across the state.

Due to uncertainties related to federal funding, all grant opportunities are paused. HNY is following guidance provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). For more information regarding executive branch decisions and their impact on the state councils, visit the NEH website.

Grants support projects that activate, frame, or deepen our understanding of what it means to be human. Through our programs for community and cultural organizations and graduate students, we strive to ensure that all New Yorkers may access the tools and experiences of the humanities.

The Humanities Centers Initiative Funding for humanities graduate students at nine participating universities to explore the public application of scholarly interests. Applications: Currently paused Amount: $4,000 or $8,000 depending on institution For the implementation of projects that encourage local audiences to reflect on their values, explore new ideas, and engage with others in their communities.

Frequency: Twice per year Applications: Currently paused Reading & Discussion Grants Opportunities for communities to explore a resonant topic through a series of thematically linked texts and facilitated conversations. Applications: Currently paused Coming soon in 2025, grantees will have the opportunity to join HNY Cohorts: groups of organizations sharing similar missions that meet periodically to discuss current relevant topics.

Cohorts are intended to h elp active organizations break out of their respective silos and engage in more frequent dialogue with one another, with a panoramic view toward the strengthening the state’s communities. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Frequently Asked Questions Why are grants "currently paused?"

Due to uncertainties related to federal funding, all grant opportunities are paused. HNY is following guidance provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). For more information regarding executive branch decisions and their impact on the state councils, visit the NEH website.

Any tax-exempt organization that is based in and serves New York State may apply for grant opportunities. This includes non-profits; municipalities (and libraries whose charters are tied to their municipalities); Native nations; and tribal governments. Except in the case of the Humanities Centers Initiative (HCI) grant, HNY does not award individuals.

Students enrolled in humanities programs at nine partnering state institutions are eligible to apply to the HCI grant. Are certain organizations and/or projects given special consideration? We prioritize equitable geographical distribution of our grant funding.

Within each grant round we strive to make awards in as many regions of the state as possible. We also prioritize support to rural and small (those with yearly operating budgets of less than $250,000) organizations. We value projects that reach audiences with fewer opportunities to attend educational and cultural programming.

What types of projects does HNY fund? Competitive proposals are engaging to a variety of New Yorkers and do not require specialized knowledge to participate in or enjoy. Regarding format, we support innovative approaches to the design and delivery of programming and are especially appreciative of ideas that include opportunities for participants to meet and converse with others in their communities.

Exhibitions, live performances, workshops, and film series are just a few examples of commonly awarded projects. Are Quick and Vision grants still offered? Email to [email protected] This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.