Common Questions
What conditions must a project meet in order to qualify for funding?
Who is eligible to apply?
What types of programs will the Council not fund?
How does an organization apply for funding?
Can I contact the Council if I have any questions?
When are the application deadlines?
What is the role of the Project Director?
What does the Council mean by “intended for and open to a general public audience”?
Whom should I include in my Project Team?
Do I need to include bios or resumes for members of the Project Team?
What do you mean by humanities expertise?
What is the role of the Fiscal Agent?
What financial contribution does my organization have to make to the project?
Why does the Council require participation in the Cultural Data Project (CDP)?
How do I create a Cultural Data Project (CDP) funder report?
What is the best internet browser to use for navigating your online forms?
What is the process for application review?
How are applicants notified of the Council's decision?
What conditions must a project meet in order to qualify for funding?
See "What We Fund" in our Grant Guidelines.
Who is eligible to apply?
See "Who is Eligible for Funding" section in our Grant Guidelines. Please note, colleges and university departments are considered separate institutions. For example, both the SUNY X's English Department and SUNY X's Philosophy Department could receive Mini Grants within the same calendar year as long as the grants are for different programs with two distinct budgets.
What types of programs will the Council not fund?
See "Who is Eligible for Funding" section in our Grant Guidelines.
How does an organization apply for funding?
See How to Apply page for step-by-step instructions.
Can I contact the Council if I have any questions?
Yes, we want to hear from you. Click here for details on how to contact the Council.
When are the application deadlines?
All Project Grants are offered on a rolling basis. Applications must be submitted at least 12 weeks before your project's first event date, or 12 weeks before the start of your planning process.
In Spring 2012, the Council will make an announcement about our evolving grants, including Major Grant . Information about grant eligibility, timing, award amounts, and funding priorities will be made at that time. Click here to read a statement from our Executive Director.
What is the role of the Project Director?
The Project Director is the person responsible for the overall management of the project and for ensuring that all necessary grant paperwork is submitted to the Council. This person need not be an employee of the sponsoring organization.
What does the Council mean by “intended for and open to a general public audience”?
Programs are eligible for funding only if they have been designed for and are open to a general, lay public that does not need specialized knowledge to participate. Academic conferences and any program designed for a closed group such as teachers, members of an organization, etc. are ineligible. The Council gives priority to funding programs for people for whom such opportunities are not usually available.
Whom should I include in my Project Team?
The make-up of your project team will depend on the nature and needs of your project, but it should include all the key people involved with the planning and execution of the project. The team may include staff members of the sponsoring organization as well as outside consultants, participating scholars, presenters, and others who are contributing in substantial ways to the project. The team should include members with demonstrable humanities expertise. The participation of all team members must be confirmed at the time of your application.
Do I need to include bios or resumes for members of the Project Team?
No, but you should describe their qualifications and what they bring to the project for the question "Describe your project team and its strengths" in both the Planning and Project Grant online application forms.
What do you mean by humanities expertise?
In many cases, humanities expertise is the purview of scholars with particular training or experience as professionals in one or more of the disciplines of the humanities. The typical qualifications are an advanced degree (M.A. or Ph.D.) in a humanities field of study and regular appointment at a recognized institution of higher learning. However, individuals without an advanced degree, or who are not affiliated with a college or university, may also qualify because of their methods of research, inquiry, and teaching. The Council also recognizes that scholarship and knowledge gathering are defined differently in different cultures, and respects such diversity as consistent with our understanding or the humanities.
What is the role of the Fiscal Agent?
The Fiscal Agent is the person with primary responsibility for the record-keeping and accounting for the grant funds, matching contributions, and services received. The same person cannot serve as the Project Director and Fiscal Agent. The Fiscal Agent will receive all payments if the grant is awarded.
What financial contribution does my organization have to make to the project?
All Council grants are matching grants. This means that the Council’s award for the project must be equaled or exceeded by expenditures made by the organization in the form of cash, in-kind contributions, or a combination of the two. Please note that National Endowment for the Humanities grants may not be counted as part of the matching funds in the project budget, but may be funding source for Council-supported projects.
Why does the Council require participation in the Cultural Data Project (CDP)?
The Cultural Data Project (CDP) allows organizations to publish organizational, programmatic, and financial information in one place and have it available to a wide range of funders. The data collected will be used for national and state-level case-making in support of cultural activities.
Click here for more information about the CDP and other required attachments >
How do I create a Cultural Data Project (CDP) funder report?
To create a Cultural Data Project (CDP) profile and generate a New York Council for the Humanities Funder Report, your organization must first create a profile on the CDP’s New York State website.
Click here for more information about the CDP and other required attachments >
What is the best internet browser to use for navigating your online forms?
This application is best viewed in the following supported browsers: Internet Explorer, version 7 or higher, Firefox, version 2 or higher, and Safari 525 or higher. If you are using one of these browsers and still have questions about navigating the form, submit feedback using our online form, or contact us by email at grants@nyhumanities.org or phone at (212) 233-1131.
What is the process for application review?
For Project Grants, The Council reviews all submitted materials in two stages within 12 weeks of receiving applications:
After applications are received, they are reviewed for completeness. Should we have any questions, we will let you know. Ineligible applications will be notified at this stage.
Once your application is confirmed as eligible and complete the Council will then evaluate the content of your application. If you have any questions, or updates about your project at any point during this process, please let us know.
How are applicants notified of the Council's decision?
For Project Grants, please expect to hear from us via email, mail or phone within 8 weeks of the date of submission with our decision. All decisions are final, but we are happy to discuss the reviewers comments.
Contact the Council: We want to hear from you!
Become a humanities supporter! Your generous contribution to the New York Council for the Humanities will help benefit over one million New Yorkers eager to engage with ideas that shape who we are and how we live.