Grant Application Requirements

HN can only fund projects that have a strong humanities component. “The humanities” is a very broad subject that includes learning about, thinking about, describing, and discussing “what it means to be human.” A list of possible humanities topics is included in our grant application.

Typically, the humanities subject expert is a college or university professor in a humanities discipline. If a non-academic humanities subject expert is chosen for a project, the applicant must provide sufficient background information on the individual to demonstrate that he or she will capably represent the humanities. If there is more than one humanities subject expert involved, there must be an explanation for each person.

For major grants, a resume of no more than two pages and a letter (from the project director or humanities subject expert) explaining the expert’s involvement in the project (e.g. guest lecturer, topic and title of lecture) must be included. 

*See “A note about creative and performing arts projects” below.

**Some exceptions can be made for humanities-based occupational training for professions that serve the public (e.g., doctors, teachers, law enforcement officers).

Yes! For a preview of the questions, visit the grants resources page. There is a link to a PDF with the questions that all grant applicants must answer, plus documents with the additional questions for major and media grant applications.

The bulk of funds requested from HN should be used to pay for humanities subject experts and resources, travel and per diem for experts when necessary, publicity to develop an audience and other direct costs. These lists are not exhaustive. For advice on how to structure your project budget for the best chance of funding, please contact HN grants staff.

* While these expenses cannot be paid with HN grant funds, they can be included in the project budget as part of a cash match. Talk to HN staff if you’re not sure.

**Budget line items that include supplies or technology may be subject to additional scrutiny / stipulations to ensure the items will continue to be used for humanities-related purposes after the grant period.

*** If you wish to book a speaker from the HN Speakers Bureau catalog, please follow the procedure in How to Book a Speaker. HN grant funds cannot be used to pay the fee to book a speaker. An exception would be if a speaker in the HN catalog is giving a program substantially different from their Speakers Bureau program(s); then their honorarium could be eligible for HN grant funds. Talk to HN staff if you have questions.

HN wants to be a partner on humanities projects around the state and not the sole funder. For this reason, we require at least a 50% match to be demonstrated in the grant application budget. In other words, whatever the total grant budget, HN can pay for no more than half. The other 50% of the grant funds must come from the applicant’s resources as matching funds, either in “cash” or “in-kind” match. Contact HN staff when you have questions.

The budget form is the number-one place where new (and even experienced) grant applicants get confused and make mistakes. We definitely recommend that you contact HN staff for advice. Here’s what a section of the budget forms look like, and a link to a page where you can download the budget form. (It’s also available to download through the grant application page):

Click here to find budget form download links.

1. Start by making a list of all your project’s expenses – including the value of “overhead” items directly related to your project, and donated items or volunteer time. (Tip: you can look up the current Nebraska value for an hour of volunteer service at independentsector.org.)
2. Enter each expense into the appropriate category in the HN budget form, but divide the dollar amounts among the “HN funds”, “cash match”, and in-kind match” columns. The gray-shaded areas are calculated fields that will automatically total lines and rows.
   In-kind match: first fill in the value of any items or services that are donated or are “overhead” expenses that you would not pay a bill for.
   HN Funds: Put grant-eligible direct expenses here. See “what kinds of expenses can be paid with HN grant funds?” in the FAQ
   Cash Match: Put direct expenses that are not eligible for payment with HN funds here. See “what kinds of expenses can be paid with HN grant funds?” in the FAQ
3. Look at the totals at the bottom of the page to see if you are meeting the match requirement. If the current match is less than the minimum required match, move some expenses from the “HN funds” column into the “cash match” column until you meet the match requirement.
4. Enter the total for the HN funds column (column C) in your grant application as the amount of funds you are requesting, and upload your budget document where the application requests it.

The short answer is yes. However, the estimated income from a fee or admission charge should cover event expenses, rather than serve as a fundraiser. Grant reviewers may also consider whether the fee or admission may be a barrier to attendance.

Yes! If HN gives you a grant, we will include your public grant-funded events on our web calendar and, as appropriate, in our weekly e-blast that goes out to humanities fans all across the state. We gather information from your grant application, plus your organization’s website and social media, but it’s even better if you can send a direct press release to Grants Management and Outreach Specialist Katie Bradshaw email.

HN policy is to list only grant-funded and Speakers Bureau events on our calendar or e-blast. If you have a Nebraska-based humanities event that HN did not fund, we may be able to promote it on our social media if it fits with HN’s mission. Contact SheriLynne Hansen email. to request social media promotion.

See the information on the “Manage Your Grants” page.

Don’t stress – contact HN staff! While we expect grant applicants to carry out their programming as described in good faith, we know things sometimes change. Talk to us about changes to humanists or event dates or budget items.

It’s easier to discuss changes to your program during your grant period rather than waiting until the final report to sort things out. Budget changes that result in unused funds require you to return those funds to HN. However, HN staff can approve certain budget changes that allow you to flex your grant budget within the terms of your grant agreement to avoid returning funds. Such changes must be approved in advance.

There are no limits on the number of grant applications one entity can submit; however, the number of grants PER PROJECT is limited.

Applicants are expected to address all aspects of a project in a single application. An exception is a mini grant to help plan a larger project that may be eligible for a major or media grant.

Repeat applications for recurring events may be expected to request less funding, seek funding from other sources, and/or show innovation in the project.

No. HN funds can’t be used as matching funds for another HN grant, even if the applicants are different, because this would result in HN funding more than 50% of the project.

Grant funds from other sources may be used as matching funds, though. Some applicants have used grants from the Nebraska Arts Council to help provide matching funds for a HN grant, for example.