History Grants

Last updated October 23, 2026

Grantable tracks 786 active history grants in its free grants database, drawn from foundation sources and updated daily. 20 of them have a verified open deadline or accept applications on a rolling basis. 476 list an award amount, with a median of $10K.

Grants tracked: 786; from 404 funders
Median award: $10K; middle half $2,500–$25K
Total listed funding: $49.4M; across 476 grants that list an amount
Rolling deadlines: 15; 34 with a published date

On this page: Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
Leibner Cooper Grant Library of American Broadcasting · Foundation Not published · $3K The Leibner Cooper Family Foundation was formed by Carole Cooper and her late husband Richard Leibner.	Not published	$3K
John Lewis Award for History and Social Justice Grant American Historical Association · Foundation Not published · $1K The John Lewis Award for History and Social Justice, established in 2021, recognizes historians who exemplify leadership at the intersection of historical work and social justice.	Not published	$1K
VCF: Walter Cerf Community Fund Large Grant The Vermont Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $25K The Walter Cerf Community Fund provides large grants of up to $25,000 to support charitable needs in Vermont, with a focus on arts, education, historic preservation, and social services.	Not published	Up to $25K
Historic Plaque Program National Railway Historical Society Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies To formally recognize landmarks in Railroad History by placing a bronze plaque at/on the site	Rolling	Varies
Rocky Mtn. Power Foundation: Arts and Culture Organizations Grant Pacificorp Foundation Aka Pacific Power · Foundation Not published · $2K – $5K The Rocky Mountain Power Foundation supports arts and culture organizations through grants typically ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, with a focus on enhancing community vitality.	Not published	$2K – $5K
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors Grant National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States · Foundation Not published · $3K – $15K The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors, established by George P. Mitchell in 1997, supports the preservation of historic interiors through grants ranging from $2,500 to $15,000.	Not published	$3K – $15K
Schallek Fellowship Grant Medieval Academy Of America · Foundation Not published · $40K The Schallek Fellowship, offered by the Medieval Academy of America in partnership with the Richard III Society-American Branch, provides a one-year grant of $40,000 for Ph.D. dissertation research focused on the late medieval period in…	Not published	$40K
NHC Mini Grants Nebraska Humanities Council · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K The NHC Mini Grants, offered by the Nebraska Humanities Council, aim to support nonprofit projects that foster cultural connections and enhance the understanding of humanities across Nebraska.	Not published	Up to $2K
TYCF Grant Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation (TYCF) is dedicated to preserving the Lake Tahoe marine environment and supporting local organizations.	Not published	Varies
Steamtown Museum Association Fund Grant Scranton Area Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Steamtown Museum Association Fund Grant, managed by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, supports the restoration and preservation of railroad artifacts and related educational projects.	Not published	Varies
Next Generation Angels Awards The Better Angels Society Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Recognizes excellence in well-researched history filmmaking by middle and high school students in the model of Ken Burns. Awards honor six short documentaries about history made by student filmmakers.	Not published	Varies
Thoma Foundation: Conservation Grant Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Thoma Foundation Conservation Grant supports projects aimed at preserving South American viceregal art. Annually, up to $50,000 is awarded to selected proposals focusing on preventive conservation, restoration, and research initiatives.	Not published	Varies
Peter E. Palmquist Memorial Fund Grant Humboldt Area Foundation · Foundation Not published · $500 – $2K The Peter E. Palmquist Memorial Fund Grant provides vital support for research into under-researched women photographers and Western American photographers from the Great Depression era.	Not published	$500 – $2K
Lloyd Lewis Fellowships in American History Grant The Newberry Library · Foundation Not published · $20K – $45K The Lloyd Lewis Fellowships in American History, offered by The Newberry Library, provide scholars with the opportunity to conduct in-depth research on American history using the library's extensive collections.	Not published	$20K – $45K
Ricci Institute Travel Grants The Ricci Institute for Chinese-Western Cultural History at Boston College · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K The Ricci Institute Travel Grants support faculty, doctoral students, and researchers from outside Boston to utilize the Institute's library and archival collections for their research on topics related to Chinese-Western cultural exchange…	Not published	Up to $2K
Historic Preservation Restoration Grant Arkansas Historic Preservation Program · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K The Historic Preservation Restoration Grant, provided by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, supports the restoration of properties listed on the Arkansas Register of Historic Places and cemeteries on the National Register.	Not published	Up to $10K
3-Year Programmatic Grants Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm Nat'l Heritage Corridor Communities Assoc · Foundation Not published · $3K Support ongoing, multi-year community projects that recognize, preserve, and interpret the historic, scenic, and natural recreational resources and cultural landscapes of the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm historic transportation corridor.	Not published	$3K
Constitution Day Grants Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities · Foundation Not published · Varies Funds support programming that engages with the origins, ideals, and legacies of the U.S. Constitution.	Not published	Varies
Kempner Fund: Core Grants: Vibrant Culture Harris & Eliza Kempner Fund Inc · Foundation Not published · $20K – $75K The Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund's Core Grants Program aims to foster Galveston's long-term success, sustainability, and well-being through initiatives that promote vibrant culture.	Not published	$20K – $75K
Downtown Facade Enhancement Program Bowling Green Community Development Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $20K A City of Bowling Green initiative to assist in preserving historic buildings in downtown Bowling Green by improving the appearance of downtown properties, especially those visible from the public right-of-way.	Not published	Up to $20K
Golden Hammer Awards Historic Richmond Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Golden Hammer Awards honor excellence in neighborhood revitalization, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and placemaking efforts throughout the Greater Richmond area.	Not published	Varies
Newberry: Short-Term Residential Fellowships for Individual Research Grant The Newberry Library · Foundation Not published · $3K The Newberry Library offers short-term residential fellowships for individual research, providing scholars with the opportunity to explore its extensive collections.	Not published	$3K
Erie Canalway Heritage Award of Excellence Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Honors and celebrates significant places of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and recognizes excellence in advancing the goals of the Erie Canalway Preservation and Management Plan.	Not published	Varies
The Western History Association/Huntington Library Martin Ridge Fellowship Grant Western History Association · Foundation Not published · $4K The Western History Association/Huntington Library Martin Ridge Fellowship offers a $3500, one-month research opportunity at The Huntington Library.	Not published	$4K

Showing 745–768 of 781

About history grants

History grants support research, preservation, public programming, documentary projects, and the work of historical societies, archives, and historic sites. The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is the largest federal funder of historical scholarship and public history, and the Mellon Foundation supports archives, preservation, and humanities research. State humanities councils and private foundations provide additional project, preservation, and interpretation grants.

A long list is the starting point, not the shortlist. Our grant prospecting guide shows how to narrow history grants down to the funders most likely to say yes, using their giving records.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do history grants award?

Of the 786 history grants Grantable lists as of October 23, 2026, 476 publish an award amount. The median listed award is $10K, and the middle half fall between $2,500 and $25K. The largest is $10M. Amounts are each grant's stated maximum, so a typical award can be smaller.

Which funders offer the most history grants?

By number of active listings, the leading funders are American Historical Association (38), Western History Association (24), National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States (20), The Newberry Library (16), and Maryland Historical Trust (12). In all, 404 funders have at least one active grant in this category.

When are history grants due?

Of 786 grants listed, 15 accept applications on a rolling basis, 34 have a published upcoming deadline, 115 run on a stated cycle (such as annual or quarterly) without a published date, and 622 don't publish a deadline, so check the funder's site. Among dated deadlines, 56% fall in October–December.

What grants are available for history projects?

History organizations and scholars can pursue funding for research, archival preservation, digitization, public exhibitions, documentary media, historic site interpretation, and educational programming. The NEH supports many of these through its divisions for public programs, preservation, and research, and state humanities councils fund local history projects and community programming.

Who funds history and preservation work?

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is the central federal funder of historical research and public history, and the Mellon Foundation is a major private supporter of archives, preservation, and humanities scholarship. State humanities councils re-grant federal and state funds to local historical societies, and private foundations and corporate programs support preservation and interpretation projects.

Can historical societies and individuals both apply?

Yes. Many NEH and foundation programs fund nonprofit organizations such as historical societies, museums, archives, and universities, while other NEH programs award fellowships and stipends directly to individual scholars. Independent historians without an institutional affiliation can often apply for fellowships directly or partner with a nonprofit or fiscal sponsor for organizational grants.

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