arts · NEA

NEA Challenge America, FY 2026

National Endowment for the Arts · 2025NEA01CA

Closed

Award Range

$10K – $10K

Total Program Funding

$2.8M

Expected Awards

280

Deadline

February 6, 2025

GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview

NEA Challenge America, FY 2026. National Endowment for the Arts. Challenge America supports projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved groups/communities. The program welcomes applications from applicants that are primarily small organizations, first-time applicants to the NEA, and/or returning Challenge America applicants. Eligible applicants... $10,000-$10,000 per award; $2,800,000 total program funding; ~280 awards expected.

Who Should Apply

Public universities/colleges, Nonprofits (501c3), County governments, Federally Recognized Native American Tribal Governments, State governments (+4 more)

Who Should NOT Apply

Organizations not matching the eligible applicant types listed above

Key Requirements (Plain English)

•Cost sharing/matching required
•Deadline: 2025-02-06

💡 GrantQuick Tip

Budget for cost-sharing match. Demonstrate institutional commitment and matching funds clearly in your proposal.

Competitiveness: Moderate — many awards available but still competitive

What This Grant Funds

Challenge America supports projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved groups/communities. The program welcomes applications from applicants that are primarily small organizations, first-time applicants to the NEA, and/or returning Challenge America applicants. Eligible applicants include: nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), U.S. organizations; units of state or local government; Federally recognized tribal communities or tribes; and applicants that have not been recommended for funding in any of the three most recent Fiscal Years in the NEA’s Grants for Arts Projects, Our Town, or Research Awards grant programs. Funding in this category is not available for individuals, fiscally sponsored entities, commercial/for-profit enterprises, State Arts Agencies (SAA), or Regional Arts Organizations (RAO).

Who Can Apply

Eligible Applicant Types

Public Colleges & Universities501(c)(3) NonprofitsCounty GovernmentsFederally Recognized Tribal GovernmentsState GovernmentsCity/Township GovernmentsIndependent School DistrictsPrivate Colleges & UniversitiesSpecial District Governments

Funding Details

Minimum Award: $10K
Maximum Award: $10K
Total Program Funding: $2.8M
Expected Number of Awards: 280
Cost Sharing Required?: Yes
Funding Instrument: grant

Key Dates

Posted: December 12, 2024

Application Deadline: February 6, 2025 (0 days remaining)

Agency Contact

NEA Web Manager webmgr@arts.gov

webmgr@arts.gov

Ready to apply?

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