Media Projects

Background
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Division of Public Programs is accepting applications for the Media Projects program. This program supports collaboration between media producers and scholars to develop content grounded in humanities scholarship and prepare documentary films, radio, and podcasts that engage public audiences with humanities ideas in creative and appealing ways. NEH makes Media Projects awards at two levels: Development and Production.

Grant Details
The Media Projects program supports the development, production, and distribution of radio programs, podcasts, and documentary films that engage general audiences with humanities ideas in creative and appealing ways. Projects must be grounded in humanities scholarship and incorporate an approach that is thoughtful, balanced, and analytical.

The Division of Public Programs encourages media projects that promote a deeper understanding of American history and culture as well as those that examine international themes and subjects in the humanities. The program offers two levels of funding: Development awards (up to $75,000) enable media producers to collaborate with scholars to develop humanities content and other program elements. Production awards (up to $700,000) must result in the production and distribution of radio, podcast, television, and documentary film projects. NEH will occasionally make Chair’s Special Awards (up to $1,000,000) for projects of exceptional significance, audience reach, and complexity.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations recognized as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; accredited institutions of higher education (public or nonprofit); state and local governments and their agencies; federally recognized Native American Tribal governments.

Period of Performance
Projects submitted to the August 2023 deadline must start between May 1, 2024, and November 1, 2024. Projects submitted to the January 2024 deadline must start between October 1, 2024, and April 1, 2025.

Development awards may support activities over a period of six to twelve months while Production awards may support activities over a period of one to three years.

Grant Value
Approximately $3,500,000 per deadline will be awarded among an estimated 12-15 recipients per deadline. Development awards are up to $75,000 while Production awards are up to $700,000. Chair’s Special Awards can be up to $1,000,000.

Place of Performance
Projects should be intended for national or regional distribution.