Reading and Discussion Grants Common Questions

Download this handy document for a quick overview of R&D grants.

 

Applying for a Grant for Reading and Discussion Programs

Who can apply to host a Reading and Discussion Grant program?
What is required for a Reading and Discussion Grant program?
When are applications due?
When will I find out if my application has been approved?
How should we identify a Reading and Discussion Grant theme or themes?
Do I have to have my texts selected in order to apply for a Reading and Discussion Grant?
Are there criteria for selecting the text(s)?
What expenses can I include in my application budget?
Is there any cost to my organization for hosting a Reading and Discussion Grant program?
How many Reading and Discussion Grant programs may my organization host?
Do I have to have a scholar-facilitator in place to apply for a Reading and Discussion Grant program?

The Host Site and Scholar-Facilitators

Who qualifies as a scholar-facilitator?
How should I go about finding a scholar-facilitator?
What are the responsibilities of the scholar-facilitator?
How much, and how, does the scholar-facilitator get paid?
What are the responsibilities of the host organization?

Implementing a Reading and Discussion Grant

How large a group is required?
When should we schedule the series?
How long does each Reading and Discussion Grant program session last?
Can we charge an entrance fee for a Reading and Discussion Grant program?
When do we receive the $1,000 grant disbursement?
What are our obligations after the series has ended?

Applying for a Grant for Reading and Discussion Programs

Who can apply to host a Reading and Discussion Grant program?

Any tax-exempt organization in New York State that has previously hosted a Reading Between the Lines series is eligible to apply. Please note that you must be in good standing with the Council, having returned your host and participant evaluations and Council books. Strength of attendance at past RBTL programs may impact the Council's decision to award the grant.

What is required for a Reading and Discussion Grant program?

Your R&D Grant proposal should involve at least one text, one scholar-facilitator, and at least four discussion sessions with a consistent group of participants. You may supply the text(s) to your participants or you may require them to purchase the materials themselves. Your budget should include any expected costs for text(s) and your scholar-facilitator's stipend for series development and/or time spent facilitating sessions.

Acceptable formats include but are not limited to:

• Several sessions on a single theme, with each session dedicated to the exploration of a single text. For example, six sessions investigating the nature of friendship with a different book addressed at each session.

Ineligible formats include:

• Using several scholars as text "lecturers". It is key that the participants are reading the texts and the role of the facilitator is to ensure good conversation about the texts. Although you may for some reason choose to alternate between two different facilitators, this is not a lecture series. 
• Drop-in attendance. Participants should make every effort to read all texts and attend all sessions. The program format at attendance expectations should be made clear at registration.

How should we identify a Reading and Discussion Grant theme?

Based on your site's experience hosting an RBTL program, you may have already identified a theme that you, your site, your past scholar-facilitator or your participants would like to explore further.

You may work with a scholar-facilitator in a variety of ways. They may select a theme or topic to explore, help to develop the series syllabus, provide context to a subject area and/or text(s) and facilitate discussions.

Do I have to have my texts selected in order to apply for a Reading and Discussion Grant?

Yes.  At the time of application, sites should submit a syllabus form that details their chosen theme and the texts they will use to explore that theme.  For each text, sites are asked to explain how the chosen text reflects their intended theme.  When considering a theme (or a big question), ask yourself:

• What do you want this group to talk about?
• What do you hope participants will get from a discussion of this idea?
• Why will this idea be important to them? 

Please keep in mind, successful proposals will explore a theme, rather than propose a topic to learn more about.  The following chart may be helpful:

What’s the Difference Between a Theme and a Topic?

Topics are subjects that don’t always lend themselves to dialogue or differing opinions.  Topics are usually narrow and are best explored through learning more (not through discussion).	World War II New York State Nature Science Fiction
Themes (big questions) are complex ideas that invite discussion and debate about important issues in life.  People understand the meaning of themes through dialogue and exposure to other points of view.	Happiness Tolerance Friendship What is a leader?

Are there criteria for selecting the text(s)?

The texts selected for the series should be accessible in both tenor and length to non-academic readers, and must be in print and reasonably priced. You are also welcome to use material from the internet as long as the texts are not copyrighted and are available in the public domain.

What expenses can I include in my application budget?

The application budget allows you to identify your expected expenses in the following areas: Scholars' Honoraria & Consulting Fees, Texts and Reading Materials, Staff Salaries, Publicity, Equipment & Facility Rental, Administrative Expenses and Other Expenses.

The Council's R&D Grant award must be matched 1:1 by contributions to the project from the sponsoring organization, or from third parties in an amount equal to or exceeding the Council's award.  National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) funds may not be used as cost sharing.  Cost sharing may consist of cash contributions, in-kind contributions, or a combination of the two.

In-kind cost-sharing contributions are not cash; rather, they are the dollar value of  goods and services contributed to the project by either your organization or by third parties.

Is there any cost to my organization for hosting a Reading and Discussion Grant program?

No. However, your organization must provide one to one matching funds. In-kind matching is acceptable. In-kind cost-sharing contributions are not cash; rather, they are the dollar value of goods and services contributed to the project by either your organization or by third parties. The host organization is responsible for providing staff support for this program and for gathering an audience. See What are the responsibilities of the host organization? in Common Questions below.

How many Reading and Discussion Grant programs may my organization apply for?

An organization may apply for and host one Reading and Discussion Grant program.

Do I have to have a scholar-facilitator in place to apply for a Reading and Discussion Grant?

Yes. In order to apply you must have identified a humanities scholar who is committed to assisting in the development of your R&D program and facilitating the discussion sessions and you must include that person's current resume with your application.

While you may apply with the scholar who facilitated your past Reading Between the Lines series, you may also choose a different scholar for your R&D Grant application. Please make sure your proposed scholar-facilitator has visited our website, read the R&D Grant guidelines, and is clear about the program requirements and expectations before agreeing to work with you as an R&D Scholar-facilitator.

The Host Site and Scholar-Facilitators

Who qualifies as a scholar-facilitator?

A humanities scholar is an individual with particular training or experience qualifying him or her as a professional in one or more of the academic disciplines of the humanities. The typical qualifications are an advanced degree (M.A. or Ph.D.) in a humanities field of study and a 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 qualify as humanities scholars because of their methods of research, inquiry, and teaching. Students doing graduate work in a humanities discipline are also qualified. The Council also recognizes that scholarship and knowledge gathering are defined differently in different cultures, and respects such diversity of training and preparation as consistent with our understanding of the humanities as fields and as methods of inquiry.

How should I go about finding a scholar-facilitator?

Often the easiest way to find a scholar is by contacting your local colleges and/or universities. Don't forget to inquire about interested graduate students if you are near a school with a graduate program, and also ask about retired faculty who might still be in the area. Many organizations also have scholars as board members, advisors, or volunteers who may be interested in facilitating a series or can recommend others.

What are the responsibilities of the scholar-facilitator?

You may work with a scholar-facilitator in a variety of ways. Your discussion sessions must be facilitated by a scholar but they may also be involved in the selection of a theme or topic to explore and the development of the series syllabus..

The scholar-facilitator is also required to register and attend a one-hour webinar.

How much, and how, does the scholar-facilitator get paid?

The scholar-facilitator's payment is negotiated between the host organization and the scholar-facilitator and should reflect the work your scholar-facilitator has agreed to perform. The Council is not involved in this transaction.

What are the responsibilities of the host organization?

 

Your organization is responsible for:

• Selecting a scholar-facilitator for your R&D program.
• Developing an R&D program syllabus.
• Ensuring that the scholar-facilitator attends the facilitation webinar.
• Scheduling the reading and discussion sessions and notifying the Council of these dates.
• Publicizing the event in your community to gather an audience of at least 10 participants.
• Crediting the Council in all materials related to the series.
• Returning the evaluation materials to the Council within three weeks of the end of the series.

Implementing a Reading and Discussion Grant

How large a group is required?

A group of at least 10 is required. The maximum number of participants is 20. Participants should make every effort to take part in all discussion sessions. The host site is responsible for gathering the group and maintaining the participant attendance rate.

Please note, failure to attract and retain an appropriate number of participants may affect the awarding of the second half of the grant. 

When should we schedule the series?

Your reading and discussion sessions should be scheduled at times that allow for the greatest number of people to take part (evenings or weekends). 

Your program must take place between September and June.

An introductory session is recommended. Scheduled prior to the first text discussion, an introductory session allows participants to familiarize themselves with the facilitator and the text(s), discuss administrative protocols, and establish a group rapport. Please review our Introductory Session Guidelines.

How long does each Reading and Discussion Grant program session last?

Each session should last roughly 90 minutes.

Can we charge an entrance fee for an R&D Grant program?

No. All Reading and Discussion Grant programs must be free. An event is not considered free if attendance requires paid membership with the sponsoring organization.

When do we receive the grant disbursement?

You will receive the first half upon return of your signed Grant Agreement and the submission of your session dates to our Calendar of Events. Initial payment will be made no sooner than November 15. You will receive the second half upon receipt of your final evaluation materials once your program has concluded.

What are our obligations after the series has ended?

The host-site coordinator and the scholar-facilitator each complete a short online survey following the conclusions of the series.  At the time of submitting the host-site coordinator's evaluation, you will be asked to upload an attendance form with the participants' names, email addresses, and which sessions they attended.  Please use our online form.

These should be returned to the Council within three weeks of the end of the series.