Applying for a Grant
Humanities Iowa supports projects that engage people in exploring the humanities through public discussion, critical thinking, and shared learning. Competitive proposals clearly demonstrate how the project connects to the humanities—such as history, literature, philosophy, languages, religious studies, archaeology, ethics, or cultural studies—and explain why that humanities perspective is essential to the project.
When completing your application, don’t assume the humanities connection is obvious. Be sure to explicitly describe how your project engages the humanities, how participants will interact with humanities ideas or scholarship, and the role your humanities scholar will play in helping audiences explore the topic.
If you’re unsure whether your project is a good fit, we encourage you to contact Humanities Iowa before submitting your application. We’re happy to discuss your project, answer questions, and provide feedback on draft applications to help you submit the strongest proposal possible.
In addition to contacting your local college/university, library, or museum, you may also reach out to the HI staff for help in finding a humanities scholar. Another resource is the HI Speakers Bureau roster, located on the HI website. Members of the HI Board of Directors may also be able to help identify a scholar for your project. All of us involved with HI are willing to help connect you!
An independent evaluator is a requirement of an HI major grant, and a fee of $200 plus auto travel expenses can be paid out of the grant funds. Ideally the evaluator will be familiar with and traveling within the community in which the HI-funded event is to be held.
No, but a scholar should definitely be on the planning committee and program presenters should have appropriate credentials.
HI grants can support the time and expertise of presenters, researchers, coordinators and others integral to the project. The level of honorarium is based on precedent for similar events, the actual number of hours/events devoted to the project by the scholar, his/her availability and public demand.
It is critical to consult with HI staff about these types of projects prior to application. Typically, HI will not fund performance projects unless they incorporate the interpretation of the performance through a complementary lecture and/or discussion with the audience. For example, if a Scottish highlander group will dance, they can apply for project funding from HI that would allow them to offer companion activities for the public such as activities that explain the history and cultural meaning of bagpipes, traditional dress, and the dance steps. If a museum hosts an art exhibit and would like to bring in scholars to talk about a particular art movement, that project may also be eligible. Theater presentations that involve living history re-enactments (such as someone portraying the life and times of Grant Wood or Charles Darwin) may also be considered for funding.
Humanities Iowa does support certain documentary and media projects, but only when they are small-scale, community-centered, and grounded in a clear humanities focus.
We can fund projects that are ready—or nearly ready—for public sharing and that are designed to spark discussion and engagement in Iowa communities. This often includes short-form documentaries, oral history projects, or completed/near-completed films that will be screened and discussed locally within the grant period.
However, we generally do not fund large-scale or long-term documentary production (including projects still in early development or focused primarily on filming and post-production). Instead, funding is intended to support the public humanities component—such as community screenings, facilitated discussions, and related engagement activities.
All documentary/media projects must include:
- An Iowa-based nonprofit fiscal sponsor
- Meaningful involvement from a humanities scholar
- A clear plan for public programming in Iowa (such as a screening + facilitated discussion)
- A commitment to public presentation within 12 months of the award
If you’re unsure whether your project fits, we strongly encourage you to review our full Grant Guidelines for Documentary & Media Projects before applying and reach out if you have any questions or clarifications.
NEH terms prohibit the use of federal funds to support the creation and/or publication of creative writing, memoirs, autobiographies, and other books. However, Humanities Iowa can support public programs that use creative writing as a tool for community engagement and learning within a humanities context. This means that activities like poetry slams, writing workshops, author discussions, and other events where writing is shared, discussed, or performed are eligible for funding if the project has a public-facing humanities component rather than directly funding the act of writing new creative works.
No HI grant funds can support activities occurring prior to the project start date. The length of the grant-funded portion of projects can extend to a maximum of one year from the start date. Additionally, HI’s reporting deadlines are tied to the project end dates.
As Humanities Iowa funding is limited, we would prefer to pay the direct costs of a project. If, in special circumstances, a staff member is involved in the creative, scholarly, public presentation of the project, a reasonable honorarium may be included in the project expenses. Salaries should, if included at all, be in the cash cost-share for the applicant organization or in-kind cost-share for any co-sponsoring organizations.
A 1:1 cash or in-kind match is required for grant recipients. But what counts as in-kind? Common examples include:
• Volunteer time: If volunteers help plan, organize, or run the project (event setup, staffing programs, etc.), that time can count toward the match.
• Donated facility use: If the rental cost of a venue or meeting space is waived, the rental value of the space can be counted.
• Donated professional services: If someone contributes professional expertise—such as marketing, graphic design, photography, printing, or technical support—the value of that service can count toward the match.
• Donated materials or supplies: Items donated specifically for the project (printing, exhibit materials, event supplies, etc.) count toward an in-kind match.
Applications are evaluated based on the clarity of the proposal, the strength of the humanities content, the qualifications of the project scholars and experts, the involvement of the target audience, the feasibility of the budget, and the potential impact of the project. Humanities Iowa gives priority to projects that serve rural communities, foster intergenerational engagement, and reach a range of geographic locations in the state.
Primary considerations:
Other important considerations:
Absolutely! Please find an example of a successful Mini Grant application here. For additional examples, please contact Communications and Grants Director Grace Altenhofen at grace-altenhofen@uiowa.edu.
Mini grant applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants can generally expect to receive a funding decision within 6–8 weeks of submitting a complete application.
After an application is submitted, it is reviewed by Humanities Iowa staff for completeness before being evaluated by our board’s Grants Committee. The committee carefully reviews each proposal and considers how well it aligns with Humanities Iowa’s funding priorities before making a funding recommendation.
Because of this review process, we encourage applicants to submit their proposals at least six weeks before their project begins. If your project has a firm start date, applying earlier is always encouraged.
If you have questions about your application or timeline, please contact Humanities Iowa’s grants staff. We’re happy to help.
After You’re Awarded A Grant
Congratulations! At Humanities Iowa, we’re proud to be able to support organizations like yours across the state. We know you’re busy with your project, but these are the immediate next steps upon receiving an award letter:
Grant funds are generally paid out at the end of the project and upon submission of final report materials. However, the grantee may request up to 90% of the award at any time during the course of the project, provided they have submitted publicity materials and a signed Conditions of Award letter to HI. At least 10% of the award will be retained by Humanities Iowa until receipt of the final report materials.
Final reports must include both a narrative and financial accounting of the project. In addition, we ask grantees to share statistics and evidence of impact, such as attendance numbers, press coverage, and social media engagement. This information helps Humanities Iowa measure and share the value of your project with the public and our funders.
Please see the Project Director’s Handbook for a full list of reporting requirements.
You may choose one of two options:
- Submit a video narrative (no more than 5 minutes long) that covers the same points. Submit a written narrative that addresses the questions outlined in the Project Director’s Handbook, OR
- Submit a video narrative (no more than 5 minutes long) that covers the same points.
Final reports are due within 90 days of the end of the grant period. Timely submission of the report is required before an organization can be considered for future funding.
Please send all final report materials by email to the Communications and Grants Director at grace-altenhofen@uiowa.edu.
Yes! Organizations that have successfully completed their grant requirements may apply again the following year. We encourage past grantees to reapply, especially with new projects that bring fresh voices, perspectives, and stories to Iowa communities.
