Limited Submission: National Endowment for the Arts FY 26 Grants for Arts Projects (GAP)

The NEA is committed to supporting arts projects for the benefit of all Americans. Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) provides funding for public engagement with the arts and arts education, for the integration of the arts with strategies promoting the health and well-being of people and communities, and for the improvement of overall capacity and capabilities within the arts sector.  We fund arts projects in the following disciplines: Artist Communities, Arts Education, Dance, Design, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literary Arts, Local Arts Agencies, Media Arts, Museums, Music, Musical Theater, Opera, Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works, Theater, and Visual Arts.

 

Eligibility

Organizations eligible to apply include:

• Nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), U.S. organizations;
• Units of state or local government; or
• Federally recognized tribal communities or tribes.

Applicant organizations must have completed at least 3 years of arts programming prior to the application deadline. Generally, an applicant may submit one application per calendar year. 

Funding is not available in this category for individuals, applications submitted by a fiscal sponsor, or commercial/for-profit enterprises.  

Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the NEA guidelines at

https://www.arts.gov/grants/grants-for-arts-projects

The NEA deadline for submission is February 26, 2025 for Cycle 1.  As a limited submission competition, the NEA GAP program allows each institution to submit only one (1) proposal.  If SIUE submits an application in Cycle 1 we are not eligible to submit another application in Cycle 2.  An exception to the rule is for independent components like the radio station.

Award Description

Applicants may request an amount between $10,000-$100,000.

1:1 Cost-share/match required. Sources may include both cash and in-kind.

Timeline for the SIUE Internal Competition Submission

• • Notice of Intent submitted via Kuali Build Application by the third Friday in January by 4:30 pm.
  • Pre-submission materials uploaded through Kuali Build Application by the fourth Friday in January by 4:30 pm. (if an internal competition is required).
  • Internal submissions will be reviewed by an ad hoc committee by the first Tuesday in February. Only one successful SIUE internal applicant will be invited to prepare and submit a full proposal to the NEA for consideration.
  • Full application to be routed in Kuali Research by second Friday in February.
  • NEA deadline for full proposal submission to agency (only one SIUE-nominated applicant): February 26, 2025.

Selection Criteria for the SIUE Internal Competition

Should an internal Competition be required, you will receive an email notification to email your Pre-Submission Materials (single pdf in order indicated) by 4:30 p.m. by the fourth Friday in January to ORP. 

 Required SIUE Pre-Proposal Materials: (uploaded as a single pdf in order indicated)

1. Project Summary/Narrative (3-5 pages max) including
   1. NEA discipline
   2. Project type
   3. Describe the specific, definable activities for your project
   4. Intended project period (earliest it can be is January 1, 2026).
   5. Address artist excellence, artist merit, and engagement with intended communities, participants, or audience.
2. References
3. Each PI/Co-I must provide a 2-page bio with selected publication and activities that most relate to the project.
4. Budget and Budget Justification (limit to 2 pages), including match.

 *These must be submitted in a single pdf in the order indicated on application form. 

Stronger applicants to the SIUE competition will have carefully reviewed the Guidelines and prepared their materials in response to these guidelines.  All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, including minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans.  Faculty with disabilities desiring accommodations in the application process should contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (618) 650-2333.

Timeline for Full Submission to NEH

The one successful nominee will work with the SIUE Office of Research and Projects to revise and prepare materials for the external grant submission to NEA. The applicant will revise materials according to the internal reviewers' suggestions. ORP will assist with the proper routing of the grant for internal approvals from the relevant Chairs and Deans, and will work with the applicant to prepare the Grants.gov electronic application package.

• Internal submissions will be reviewed by an ad hoc committee by the first Tuesday in February. Only one successful SIUE internal applicant will be invited to prepare and submit a full proposal to the NEA for consideration.
• By the first Wednesday in February, proposal to be created in Kuali.
• Full application to be routed in Kuali Research by second Friday in February.
• NEA deadline for full proposal submission to agency (only one SIUE-nominated applicant): February 26, 2025.

Other Resources

For further information or questions regarding the competition, please contact siueresearch@siue.edu.