12 Common Myths about the NEH Metropolitan St. Louis Grants Conference, January 10, 2007...

12 Common Myths about the NEH

Metropolitan St. Louis Grants Conference, January 10, 2007Co-sponsored by Washington University in St. Louis and

Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville

Myth 1

“NEH is broke…I read that Congress cut most of

their budget”

False. NEH budgets have remained the same or increased

every years since 1995’s cut

Special Initiatives

$15,239,000

Federal/StatePartnership$30,926,000

Division of Preservation$18,368,000

Office of Challenge

Grants$9,649,000

Match

Division of Research

$12,692,000

Division of Public

Programs$12,381,000

Division of Education

$12,266,000

National Endowment

for the Humanities

$102M

Myth 2

“Most NEH money goes to the elite school of the

Northeast”

False. The top institutions are spread across the country.

New York and California submit about 20% of all applications. They receive about 20% of the awards.

The Mid-Atlantic states form the most successful region (26% of awards), followed by the Midwest (22% of awards), New England (16%), South (14%), West (12%), and Plains/Mountain (10%)

Single institution: Ohio State & Michigan

Myth 3

“NEH funds only senior scholars ”

False. Junior and senior scholars are funded in proportion to their

application numbers.

34% of the applicants are junior scholars (7 years of less since receiving their highest degree). 33% of awards went to junior scholars.

Myth 4

“It’s too early in my project to get funding”

False. NEH recognizes that funding needs will vary depending

on the project.

Individuals: fund at any stage…you have to make the case.

Institutions: many grant programs have established sub-programs according to stage of project.

Myth 5

“NEH isn’t interested in the kind of scholarship I do”…this is usually

followed by one of the following: “my work is too old fashioned,” or “my

work is too cutting edge,” or “Democrats/Republicans hate my

kind of work.”

False. NEH seeks to fund the best work regardless of its approach. It

avoids trendy scholarship and scholarship that is obscurely

written.

• Different stages of the review process tell us different things.

• Emerging disciplines and specialized fields seem to have more difficulties.

Myth 6

“NEH only funds projects that relate to America…

proof is their We the People initiative”

False. A rising tide floats all boats. See our awards lists.

• Congress likes to know how new money will be spent and they like American topics.

• Do not change your project to fit the initiatives.

Myth 7

“The same panelist kills my application year after

year”

False. Panelists are rotated.

• Best way to see the process in action is to sign up to be a panelist: www.neh.gov

Myth 8

“If you don’t know someone on the inside at NEH, you’ll

never get funded”

True & False. NEH staff members are paid to help all applicants

identify grant opportunities and write better applications.

Use NEH staff members to help you craft a better application. We– Read and comment on draft applications– Provide “why-not” letters– Offer advice– www.neh.gov/WhoWeAre

Myth 9

“Grants.gov has made applying for a grant too cumbersome …

it’s not worth the trouble”

Maybe…the key is preparation

Register!!!!-Find out your AOR

-Get comfortable with the Grants.gov system.

Myth 10

“I am more likely to get funded if I ask for very little” or “I am more likely to get what I need if I inflate my

budget”

False. Don’t distort your budget!

• NEH struggles to balance the amount of the award with the work that needs to be done.

• Distorted budgets distract the panelists… instead of talking about your ideas, they talk about your budget.

Myth 11

“Applying for a grant is easy…I’ve done it a

million times and know exactly what the guidelines say”

If you’re psychic, you should be able to find money elsewhere.

• Most common mistake is NOT reading the application guidelines.

• Programs change; requirements change. Don’t assume that the requirements are the same as the last time you applied.

Myth 12

“There is no money for local projects & initiatives”

False. NEH has great partnerships with state humanities councils

Missouri Humanities Council 543 Hanley Industrial Court, Suite 201St. Louis, MO 63141314.781.9660www.MOhumanities.org Michael Bouman, Executive Director (michael@modhumanities.org)

Illinois Humanities Council203 North Wabash Avenue, Suite 2020Chicago, IL 60601312.422.5580www.prairie.orgKristin Valaitis, Executive Director (kav@prairie.org)

Russ Wyland

Division of Research

202.606.8391

rwyland@neh.gov