GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS: Applicant Resources

Application Resources

Tools

Application Templates:

• An outline of the application questions can be found in the fillable Application Checklist & Template.
• Prepare your project budget in advance using the GAP Project Budget Template

GAP Video Tutorials:

The tutorial videos cover basics about the GAP grant program. Watch the full playlist, or click on the links below for individual videos. Each video is between 3-7  minutes long.

• Program Description: An overview of the Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) program, including program goals and objectives, application narrative tips, unallowable activities and costs, information about disciplines, choosing the best discipline for educational projects, and general tips.
• New for FY27: Changes to the GAP program for FY27 awards, including updates to disciplines, the addition of Challenge America and Our Town to GAP, updates to the application, and new applicant resources.
• Eligibility and Application Limits: Information about applicant eligibility, arts programmatic history requirements, and application limits.
• Award Amounts, Cost Share, and Project Budget: An overview of available award amounts, cost share requirements, and the application project budget.
• Review Process: Information about the application and funding process, including the application review criteria.
• Discipline Specific Items: An overview of the sections of the application that have discipline-specific requirements, including work sample formatting and best practices.
• Using the Grant Application Form (GAF): provides a step by step visual guide to entering information into the applicant portal.

Grants.gov Tutorials:

The video series below was created by Grants.gov to assist applicants. For more Grants.gov resources, visit Applicant Training.

• Learning Workspace Video Series

Other Useful Information

• First-Time Applicant Guide for Organizations covers the basics of registration and provides some links to helpful resources for new applicants.
• Common Application Mistakes covers common mistakes to avoid when submitting your application.
• Summaries of all of our recently funded grants, including and a searchable database going back to 1998.
• If your project involves directly collecting sensitive data from program participants, such as personally identifiable information or data from vulnerable populations, review Resources on Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement.
• To find out when new guidelines are released, sign up for the notification service provided by Grants.gov, the federal government’s online application system. To receive our discipline-specific newsletters, sign up on our website.

Compliance

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Rehabilitation Act Section 504 Compliance

Projects funded by the NEA must be accessible to people with disabilities.  On the Manage Your Award page, you can find information about the ADA and Section 504 form required for recommended awards, as well as links to:

• A webinar with detailed information about the application Assurance of Compliance, post-award accessibility questionnaire, and 504 Self Evaluation requirements. It also provides tips for ensuring access to your programs and facilities.
• The Accessibility Checklist, a tool to assist you in making your organization and project accessible. The checklist include links to a wide variety of Accessibility resources.

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)

Projects supported by the NEA are subject to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), which is legislation intended to protect historic and archeological sites. You can learn about what kinds of projects require additional review to ensure compliance with NHPA regulations by reviewing information on the Manage Your Award page.