Planning Grants

Planning Grants is sponsored by CT Humanities. These grants help organizations conduct scholarly research and travel, gather feedback from key stakeholders, and make necessary preparations to develop, finalize, and implement public humanities programs.

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CT Humanities 50th Anniversary Transparency in Coverage Rule Connecticut’s Sites of Conscience CT Humanities Working Groups CT Experience Video Series Digital Resources for Distance Learning Intellectual Property Policy Data on the CT Cultural Sector Event Contributor Registration CT Humanities 50th Anniversary Transparency in Coverage Rule Connecticut’s Sites of Conscience CT Humanities Working Groups CT Experience Video Series Digital Resources for Distance Learning Intellectual Property Policy Data on the CT Cultural Sector Event Contributor Registration Planning Grants help organizations conduct scholarly research and travel, gather feedback from key stakeholders, and make all the necessary preparations to develop, finalize, and implement their project plan.

Although a Planning Grant is not required to receive an Implementation Grant, and receipt of a Planning Grant does not guarantee Implementation funding, Planning Grant work is intended to provide the applicant with the knowledge and plan to be able to implement their project idea.

Planning Grant proposals must demonstrate significant humanities scholarship and content and articulate clearly defined goals that will be achieved during the project period. At the end of the Planning Grant, the project should have identified clear next steps such as a plan for the implementation of the project or a newly-identified area for further research and development.

For more information and examples of typical Planning Grant projects, view the “Sample Planning Grants” below. Planning Grants are intended to help organizations develop and plan public humanities programs . To learn more about the humanities, click here.

To apply for a Planning Grant, your organization must be one of the following: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in the state of Connecticut for at least one year and governed by a board of directors that meets regularly A municipality in the state of Connecticut A Connecticut-based federally or State recognized tribe For more information about eligibility, view the Guidelines below.

Please read the Planning Grant guidelines before applying. The Planning Grant Guidelines outline eligibility requirements, eligible expenses, matching requirements, grant duration, and more.

CT Humanities seeks to fund projects that include significant humanities scholarship and content; explore topics and stories in an inclusive, diverse, and equitable manner; and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the formation of the United States consistent with the America 250 | CT Commission’s guiding themes .

If your project involves or interprets Indigenous history or cultures, please also note CT Humanities’ Indigenous Values Statement and accompanying resources here. FAQs & Resources for Applicants Need help with navigating the CTH Grant Portal? Have questions about CTH’s grants?

Seeking resources to help develop and strengthen humanities projects? Click the button below to view our FAQs & Resources for Applicants: FAQs & Resources for Applicants Please also feel free to reach out to CTH Grants Staff at grants@cthumanities. org with any questions.

Upcoming Application Deadlines FY25-26: *Due to the Thanksgiving holiday the week before the December 1 deadline, we strongly encourage interested applicants to reach out to CTH early regarding their Capacity, Planning, and Implementation applications. CTH staff will not be available Thursday, November 27 or Friday, November 28 to answer questions or consult on projects.

Award Notification: By the first workday of February (for December applications) or July (for May applications) Please note that application questions may change from year to year. Some sample model applications may not reflect all questions asked in the current application. Note: Projects often evolve during the planning process and not all planning grants lead to project development exactly as envisioned in the original application.

CT Humanities works with applicants over the life of their project plan to assist them if changes or project delays occur. Planning Grants can fund the research and planning of exhibitions.

Such work may include time and travel needed to conduct scholarly research, preparation of objects for inclusion in the exhibition (securing of loan agreements, object photography, digitization, conservation, etc.), conducting surveys or focus groups with key stakeholders (scholars, educators, community members, etc.), and working with contractors to develop the exhibition’s graphic identity, layout, and marketing/publicity plans.

Sample Model Applications: Greenwich Historical Society – Planning & Development of Exhibition on Sports and Athletic Pastimes in Greenwich Wadsworth Atheneum – Planning Grant for “Sugar” Exhibition Discussion-Based Public Programs Planning Grants can fund the research and development of discussion-based public programs, such as lecture series or program series.

Planning work may include time and travel needed to conduct scholarly research, finalizing all details of programs (dates, venues, presenters, etc.), conducting surveys or focus groups with key stakeholders (scholars, educators, community members, program partners, etc.), and creation of a marketing plan. Sample Model Applications: Fairfield Museum and History Center – Exhibition Planning Project: “Speak Up!

” Interpretive Digital Media Projects Sample model applications to come. Planning Grants can fund the planning and development of humanities-based curricula to be implemented in person or virtually.

Planning work may include time and travel needed to conduct scholarly research, working with educators and curriculum specialists to ensure that projects meet curriculum standards, prototyping pilot programs to gather feedback before final implementation, and development of a marketing and outreach plan.

Sample Model Applications: Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance, and Abolition – Planning a Composite Curriculum: A Professional Development Program in African American and Latino Studies Vinland Map Exhibit Floor Plan, Mystic Seaport Museum We are eager to help you submit a strong application. Before applying, organizations must contact CTH Grants Staff at grants@cthumanities. org to discuss your project idea.

Applications submitted without prior communication with CTH staff will not be considered. For a PDF preview of the current Planning Grant application, click here . For an overview of the application process, click here .

Online Grant Application Portal In FY25, the success rate for Planning Grants was Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am – 5pm