Humanities Texas: Major Grant

Humanities Texas: Major Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Humanities Texas
Amount: Up to US $20,000
Last Updated: September 15, 2025

Summary

Humanities Texas offers major grants to support community and media projects that enhance education, culture, and history in Texas. Grants fund various initiatives including lectures, seminars, exhibitions, and media productions, with a focus on engaging the public and involving humanities scholars. Since 1974, over 5,000 grants have been awarded, fostering community development and promoting public humanities programs. The program aims to empower local organizations to create impactful educational experiences, contributing to the cultural richness of Texas.

Overview

Humanities Texas Humanities Texas is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, educational organization incorporated by the State of Texas in  1972. The state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Humanities Texas receives its primary funding through federal appropriations to the NEH and additional support from foundations, corporations, and individuals. Since 2009, Humanities Texas has received an appropriation from the State of Texas exclusively for the administration of our professional development programs for Texas teachers. The Humanities Texas Grants Program Humanities Texas grants enable communities throughout the state to develop programs of local interest promoting history, culture, and education. Since 1974, we have awarded more than 5,000 grants in 400 Texas communities supporting a wide range of public humanities programs, including lectures, oral history projects, museum exhibitions, teacher institutes, reading programs, and documentary films. Annually, Humanities Texas awards an average of 150 grants to over 70 communities throughout the state. Contact our grants team to learn how we can support the work you do in your community! Major Grants for Community Projects Major grants for community projects fund comprehensive public programs such as lectures, seminars, and conferences; book and film discussions; interpretive exhibitions and materials; town forums and civic discussions; and teacher workshops. Programs should reflect substantial participation by both humanities scholars and members of the target audience(s). Major Grants for Media Projects Major grants for media projects fund up to $20,000 of the costs for film, radio, television, or interactive programming related to the humanities. Applicants can request funds for any stage of the project, including scripting, development, production, post-production, and in some cases, distribution and free public screenings. Humanities scholars should play an integral role in determining the content and approach of the project. Major Grants for Planning Major grants for planning projects fund up to $20,000 of the costs for community and media programs that are in an initial planning/development stage. The application must include both planning details and expected outcomes.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Nonprofit organizations and state and local governmental entities are eligible to receive Humanities Texas support. Grantees are required to have a DUNS number. We encourage applicants also to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).What kinds of projects does Humanities Texas fund? Funded projects take many different forms—lectures, panel discussions, and conferences; teacher institutes and workshops; reading and film discussion groups; site interpretations; the development and fabrication of interpretive exhibits; and the production of films, television and radio programming, and interactive media. However, all funded programs have the following characteristics in common. They are firmly grounded in the humanities. Humanities experts play an active role in their conception, design, and execution. They are conducted in a spirit of open and informed inquiry. They are directed primarily to the general public, both adults and young people, outside of the regular school or college classroom. Programs targeting special audiences such as K-12 teachers, community college faculty, ethnic and community groups, or professional groups are also welcome.They are a single program (or single series of programs) for which there is a clear, coherent, and reportable outcome.

Ineligibility

What projects are not eligible for funding?Projects not grounded in the humanities.Projects proposed by individuals rather than non-profit organizations.Theatrical performances, art exhibitions, or other presentations in the arts or media, unless their primary purpose is to provide a focus for humanistic inquiry.Courses for academic credit.Capital expenditures for significant institutional expenses such as land and buildings.Preservation of objects or archival materials, unless directly related to a public program.Publications and scholarly research, unless directly related to a public program.Projects that advocate a single point of view, ideology, or specific program of social action.Projects aimed primarily at audiences outside of Texas.Scholarships and fellowships.Fundraisers and profit-making projects.