Our project grants support public programming in the humanities in Massachusetts, including but not limited to: 

humanities based civic conversations	oral history projects
public lecture, conference and panel discussion	walking tours
reading and discussion programs	audio projects
film and discussion programs	film pre-production and distribution
public conferences and panel discussions	content-based professional development  workshops for teachers
theatrical productions with post- or pre-performance  discussion	web sites
museum exhibitions and related programming

To get a sense of some of the specific programming we have supported, we suggest a stroll through the Grants Awarded section.

Project Grant with a maximum award of $5,000:
Project Grants
The standard Project Grant maximum award is $5,000, though some project grants may be as high as $10,000, as enumerated below.  Above is the general list of the kinds of things we support with Project Grants.

Project Grants with a maximum award of $10,000:

Crisis, Community, and Civic Culture Project Grants
With this thematic initiative Mass Humanities seeks proposals for public programs that will encourage participants to explore the confluence of challenges that has led to today's fraying of the social contract as well as the history and promise of collective action organized in response to a variety of crises. (DETAILS)

Engaging New Audiences Project Grants
Project grant proposals that include a detailed and realistic plan for engaging new and larger audiences may be eligible for a maximum award of $10,000. Special consideration will be given to proposals describing projects that will engage audiences and participants with limited access to the humanities. Young and working adults are examples, as are prison inmates, teens and nursing home residents. Proposals may utilize the full range of public program formats. All other Mass Humanities' grant guidelines and restrictions apply.

Media Grants
Films that explore humanities themes may be eligible for an award of up to $10,000. Film and video grants at the $10,000 maximum are only available for pre-production and Social Media Outreach (DETAILS). Preference will be given to projects that address Massachusetts topics.

What we do not fund.

• Fill out Project Grant Inquiry Form to start conversation with a Program Officer at least six weeks before the application deadline.
• You must get explicit approval from a Program Officer before submitting a draft.
• Download and read the guidelines/application document before discussing your project with a Program Officer.
• A public humanities project must be substantively rooted in one or more of the humanities disciplines.
• Humanities scholars participate in all Mass Humanities funded projects.
• Eligible: Any non-profit organization, whether or not it has 501(c)(3) status.
• Use the standard Project Grant Application Form for all Project grants.
• All project grants are 1:1 matching grants.

A good place to start is by filling out an Project Grant Inquiry Form or contacting a Program Officer (413) 584-8440.

Project Grants (Three Grant Rounds Per Year)
	Consultation Deadline	Draft Deadline	Application Deadline	Notification	Type
February Round	December 15	January 11	February 1	March 15	no "Media Grants"
May Round	March 15	April 11	May 1	June 15	includes "Media Grants"
November Round	September 15	October 11	November 1	December 15	includes "Media Grants"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guidelines & Application (complete)
Application Forms
Official Budget Request Form
Draft Submission Requirements