On July 4, 2026, America will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the nation’s principles of equality, liberty, and government by consent of the governed. This historic milestone is an opportunity for Americans to reflect on the nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, celebrate the nation’s rich cultural heritage, and look toward its next 250 years – it is an opportunity that calls for the humanities. Accordingly, in 2019, NEH launched “A More Perfect Union.” This special initiative leverages the humanities to promote a deeper understanding of America’s history and culture, advance civics education and knowledge of the nation’s core principles of government, and preserve and provide access to the nation’s heritage. Through “A More Perfect Union”, NEH funds humanities projects that:
- Engage the public in American history
- Preserve and provide access to the nation’s heritage
- Build secure and sustainable cultural resources for future generations
- Strengthen teaching and learning about American history
- Advance scholarly research on American history
- Leverage technology to explore America’s past
Since the launch of “A More Perfect Union”, NEH has awarded more than $85 million to support scholarly research, educational resources, and public humanities in all 50 U.S. states and six jurisdictions. We encourage you to join us in celebrating 250 years of America’s culture, heritage, and history by discovering NEH-supported humanities projects. In honor of the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of American Independence, the National Endowment for the Humanities is issuing a call for proposals for Celebrate America!, a new initiative to recognize the nation’s semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026. Through this program, NEH will award 250 challenge grants of up to $25,000 each for projects that focus on the founding of the American nation, key historical figures, and milestones that reflect the exceptional achievements of the United States. (View Request for Proposals (RFP).) Awards will be made using federal matching funds. As part of your application, you will need to certify that your organization has secured third-party, nonfederal gifts equal to the amount requested from NEH. NEH welcomes applications that include activities including but not limited to:
- Speakers, screenings, discussion series
- Community events and family programs
- Exhibits (permanent or temporary) including interpretation
- Meetings, conferences, and symposia
- Professional development and training
- Digital projects resulting in virtual exhibitions, web content, or virtual tours
- Educational materials and curriculum development for K-12 and higher education purposes
- Research leading to documentary films, exhibits, books, or other products that reach the general public
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis starting April 14, 2025. Celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence with NEH! https://www.neh.gov/program/celebrate-america https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/357263