North Carolina Humanities is the leading cultural project funder in North Carolina.
We distribute cultural project grants to nonprofits using the humanities to raise questions, encourage conversation, contextualize experiences, and connect people across differences in their local communities. This work creates meaningful opportunities for people to learn from experts and each other. We welcome projects from across North Carolina that address different humanities disciplines and use a variety of public humanities formats.
If you have such a project, we look forward to hearing from you! Please note, our phone numbers have changed.
Community Project Grants
Since our founding in 1972, North Carolina Humanities’ grant programs have been supported by federal dollars traditionally funded through an award from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
Due to the reduction of our NEH award from changing government funding priorities, our traditional grant categories and cycles are paused for FY2026. However, we have created a new funding opportunity for communities.
NC Humanities continues to be the state affiliate of the NEH and serve North Carolina through our mission and will offer a grant cycle in late spring 2026 for community humanities projects. Details, submission timelines, and Grant Guidelines will be posted in early 2026.
Humanities Project Grants support the implementation of humanities projects such as lecture/discussion series, exhibitions, presentations, workshops & more. Full details including submission timelines and Grant Guidelines will be posted in early 2026.
- Application Opens: Opening dates will be posted in early 2026. Please sign up for our e-newsletter at the bottom of the page for the latest updates.
- Application Cycle 1 Deadline: To be announced in early 2026
- Award Notification: Decisions are typically announced 1.5 months after submission via electronic notification through our online application management system.
How to Apply
- Review North Carolina Humanities’ annual Grant Guidelines (above) and review current grants opportunities and submission deadlines.
- Watch this video tutorial on how to apply using our online application system.
- Get started on your application in our online application system.
- If you are new to the online system, please create an account prior to applying. Once you have created your account and are logged in to your Applicant Dashboard, click “Apply” in the upper left-hand corner to view an alphabetical list of all open opportunities.
- If you have previously created an account, please click here to login. Once on your Applicant Dashboard, click “Apply” in the upper left-hand corner to view an alphabetical list of all open opportunities.
Note: Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Submission of an application does not guarantee approval. If you need a paper application please call our office at (704) 680-4281.
Need Help?
We routinely offer free informational webinars where we discuss our grants, the application process, allowable expenses, and more. There is also plenty of time to ask questions.
- 2026 Webinar Dates Coming Soon
- We offer free draft grant application review services. Please note that this service is available upon request and only until three weeks prior to a submission deadline.
- You can also schedule a one-on-one phone consultation with our staff if you have additional questions. Please click here to schedule a phone consultation.
What We Fund
There are many ways to interpret what “the humanities” means.
Often we think about the humanities as a set of disciplines that help us understand the many meanings of being human and humankind by exploring some of these facets:
- Our Past: history and archaeology
- Our Cultural Expressions: anthropology, literature, linguistics, languages, art history, theory, and criticism
- Our Values: ethics, philosophy, comparative religion, and law
The humanities can also be seen as a range of activities that encourage reflection, inquiry, analysis, discussion and shared experiences. Activities often include reading a book, listening to a story, recording personal memories and thoughts, and questioning the values and motivations of ourselves and others in the past, present, and future.
North Carolina Humanities expects all grant proposals to utilize a humanities discipline or practice to advance one or more of the following areas:
- Deepen human connections by broadening perspectives.
- Equip communities with empathy, understanding, and respect.
- Inspire community and connect North Carolinians across differences.
Eligible humanities project ideas include but are not limited to:
- Community conversation series
- Exhibitions
- Films and podcasts
- Interpretation of historic sites
- Oral history collection and interpretation
- Panels, lectures, and conferences
- Reading and discussion programs
- Workshops for educators
- Walking tours
- …and more!
NC Humanities awards grants on the basis of application merit. We connect with many communities across the state to increase access to humanities funding opportunities.
NC Humanities grants are available to not-for-profit organizations. Please read our Grant Guidelines for full details.
