FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who do I contact if I have questions?
Email us at apply@arts.gov

Will there be a Grants for Arts Projects webinar?

A webinar covering the updated guidelines took place on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
Watch the archived video on demand.  
Webinar slide deck.

I already applied or was planning to apply to the FY 2026 Challenge America deadline this spring. What do I do now?

The Challenge America opportunity is canceled for FY 2026 to focus NEA staff resources on Grants for Arts Projects. Organizations that have applied or were planning to apply to the FY 2026 Challenge America grant opportunity are encouraged to apply to the Grants for Arts Projects category at the March 11 or July 10 deadline. NOTE: Projects funded through the Challenge America program are also eligible in Grants for Arts Projects. If you are planning an Artist Communities or Design project, be aware that applications for these disciplines are accepted at the Grants for Arts Projects March 11 deadline only. 

I already applied to the FY 2026 Grants for Arts Project 1 deadline that has been canceled (the February 13th deadline). What do I do now?

Any Part 1 application that was submitted to the canceled February 13th deadline will not be considered. To apply for funding, your organization must submit a new application to the FY 2026 Grants for Arts Projects 1 program. The new Part 1 deadline (submitting a SF-424 to Grants.gov) is now March 11, 2025, by 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Please be sure to carefully read the new Grants for Arts Projects guidelines located on our website and be aware of the new Part 1 and Part 2 deadlines.

I applied to the FY 2025 GAP2 deadline in July 2024. How does the new FY 2026 GAP application affect me?

Applications submitted last year to the July 2024 GAP deadline were for FY 2025 funding and those applications are still pending review. The change to the FY 2026 GAP 1 deadline from February 13 to March 11, 2025, only affects applicants submitting proposals for FY 2026 funding. If you were planning to apply to the February 13th deadline, please be aware that the deadline has now changed to March 11, 2025.

What are the new application deadlines for the FY 2026 Grants for Arts Projects program?

This chart lists the new deadlines for the March cycle of Grants for Arts Projects. Deadlines for the July cycle remain the same. 

Eligibility

The Grants for Arts Projects guidelines include a requirement for applicants to have completed a five-year history of arts programming prior to the application deadline. If arts programming was suspended due to the pandemic, applicants may include examples that occurred in 2018 or 2019 to meet the five-year requirement. Do not include examples prior to 2018. Virtual programming is acceptable. See the eligibility section of the guidelines for more information.

Application Limits Between Funding Categories

Organizations may no longer submit applications in the same fiscal year for both Grants for Arts Projects and Our Town funding categories (a separate application in the Research Awards category is allowable). Please carefully review the application limits section of the guidelines.

Encouraging America250-related Projects

In Grants for Arts Projects, we are encouraging applications that celebrate the nation’s rich artistic heritage and creativity by honoring the semiquincentennial of the United States of America (America250). Project activities may focus exclusively on celebrating the anniversary, or they may incorporate a special America250-related component or focus within a larger project. For example, projects could examine the work of American artists, present or create art recognizing this important milestone, or undertake educational activities or related programming.

Additional FAQs for applicants interested in America250-related projects:

Does my grant application have to include an America250-related project in order to receive funding this year?

No. We are encouraging, but not requiring, applicants to consider celebrating and honoring America250 as part of their project activities. We will certainly continue to fund projects that do not include an America250 focus or related programming.  

What is an America250-related project?

For applicants that choose to focus on this milestone, we are interested in projects that celebrate and honor the nation’s rich artistic and cultural heritage as part of America250. For example, projects could examine the work of American artists, present or create art recognizing this important milestone, or undertake educational activities or related programming. We aim to fund a wide range of projects—large and small, in all artistic disciplines, and in communities of all sizes across the country—that celebrate and honor this important milestone.

Does my project have to focus entirely on celebrating America250?

No. If you decide to submit an application for America250-related activities, your project may focus exclusively on celebrating and honoring the anniversary, or it may incorporate a special America250-related component or focus within a larger project that you are planning to undertake. For example, an organization applying for a broader musical series might devote a performance or educational activity to celebrating America250.

Do all America250-related activities have to take place only in 2026?

No. We recognize that project schedules vary based on your organization’s unique needs. As such, America250-related activities can take place anytime during your award’s period of performance in 2026-2027.

Can organizations that are predominantly or solely one race or one sex still apply for grants?

Yes.

Can organizations apply for disability-related projects?

Yes. We encourage applications for projects that promote the lifelong independence of people with disabilities. Each artistic discipline has identified disability-related projects that are of interest. 

How does the NEA consider an organization’s past project activities in relation to executive orders during application review?

An organization’s past projects or activities are reviewed to confirm that an applicant qualifies as having a five-year history of arts programming prior to the application deadline. Examples or previous programming also help our panelists to better understand your organization and your capacity to carry out the proposed project.