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
museum exhibitions and related programming	Web sites
theatrical productions with post- or pre-performance discussion	content-based professional development  workshops for teachers

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 award is up to $5,000, though some project grants may be as high as $10,000, as enumerated below. 

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. (DETAILS)

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.

• Mass Humanities now accepts applications online only. There are three parts to the project grant online application process. See deadlines chart for specific deadlines for each part of the application process.
  1. Submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) six weeks prior to the application deadline.
  2. If LOI is approved, submit a draft about three weeks before the final application is due.
  3. Submit full application by deadline.
• Download and read the project grant guidelines document before submitting an LOI. Full instructions on how to apply online can be found on page 9 or here.
• 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.
• All project grants are 1:1 matching grants.

Project Grants (Three Grant Rounds Per Year)
	Letter of Inquiry Deadline	Draft Deadline	Application Deadline	Notification	Type
February Round	December 22	January 11	February 1	March 15	excludes film pre-production and social media outreach proposals
May Round	March 22	April 11	May 1	June 15	includes film pre-production and social media outreach proposals
November Round	September 22	October 11	November 1	December 15	includes film pre-production and social media outreach proposals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The application process is all online. Most of the documents listed below are available through links in the online
application process. 

Guidelines
Application Contract Form
Budget and Budget Explanation Template
Budget Form "Cheat" Sheet
Description Template
DUNS Information Sheet
Guidelines for Scholar's Statement
Relevant URLs for Projects, SMOG and Media Form
Public Events Listing Form
Oral History Guidelines
Teacher Training Program Outreach

Grantees receiving grants after August 1, 2011, are filing their reports in the online application system.
Required reports are assigned to you. Log on to complete your reports.
Grantees receiving grants prior to August 1, 2011, must submit their reports via the mail system or email.
The necessary forms you may need can be found below.

Project Director`s Evaluation Form  (all projects)
Participating Scholar`s Evaluation Form
Audience Evaluation Form
Factual Report
Interim Expenditures Report (for grants of more than $5k)
Final Expenditures Report
Membership List of Mass Humanities Board and Staff
Important Payment and Reporting Information
Sample Letter to Your Legislator