Federal Grants
The following is a list of some Federal discretionary grant programs relating to the three areas of focus. Each program operates on a different schedule. Go to the websites for each program to find out when the next grant announcement and related deadlines will be. Additional information on Federal grants is available at each Department’s website, as linked below.
- American History and Civics Education
- Community, National and Public Service
- Political and Civic Participation
American History and Civics Education
Program: Teaching American History Grants
Contact: Alex Stein, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 4W218, Washington, DC 20202-5910. Telephone: (202) 205-9085
Description: The goal of the Teaching American History Grant program is to support programs that raise student achievement by improving teachers' knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of American history. Grants (funded by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act) are awarded to local educational agencies to promote the teaching of traditional American history in elementary and secondary schools as a separate academic subject. Grants are used to improve the quality of history instruction by supporting professional development for teachers of American history and require a partnership with institutions of higher education, nonprofit history or humanities organizations, libraries, and/or museums.
Who May Apply: Local education agencies (LEAs) must apply in partnership with one or more of the following: institutions of higher education, nonprofit history or humanities organizations, libraries, or museums.
Federal Register Announcement: April 15, 2005
Program: Civic Education - Cooperative Education Exchange Program
Contact: Rita Foy Moss rita.foy@ed.gov Telephone (202) 205-8061. U.S. Department of Education
Description: (1) To make available to educators from eligible countries exemplary curricula and teacher training programs in civics, government, and economics education, developed in the United States; (2) to assist eligible countries in the adaptation, implementation, and institutionalization of such programs; (3) to create and implement civics, government, and economic education programs for students that draw upon the experiences of participating eligible countries; (4) to provide a means for the exchange of ideas and experiences in civics, government, and economic education among political, educational, governmental, and private sector leaders of participating eligible countries; and (5) to provide support for--(a) independent research and evaluation to determine the effects of educational programs on students' development of the knowledge, skills, and traits of character essential for the preservation and improvement of constitutional democracy; and (b) effective participation in, and the preservation and improvement of, an efficient market economy.
National Endowment for the Humanities
All NEH grant programs and deadlines are described at this website. A few selected NEH programs are described below:
Program: “We the People”
Description: This is an initiative administered by the National Endowment for the Humanities. It includes competitive grant programs and other public programs to support the teaching of American history and civics. At the President's direction, the effort started in 2003 and with a significant, multi-year investment. Specific example of the initiative’s programs include:
- Providing opportunities for teachers to deepen their knowledge of American history through summer seminars and institutes, including the Landmark of American History Grants which recently awarded more than 2,000 teachers the opportunity to work with distinguished scholars for one week of intensive study on the history and literature of historic sites;
- Supporting the reading of classic literature through the We the People Bookshelf, a collection of books recommended for young readers and made available to schools and libraries for use in local programs;
- Preserving our nation's historic documents, such as newspapers and presidential papers, and supporting scholarly research, while expanding access to these important documents;
- Exploring the lives and deeds of heroic men and women from America's past through the annual "Heroes of History Lecture” (with the second annual lecture occurring this fall 2004;
- Disseminating knowledge of American history through exhibitions, public programs, and partnerships with the state humanities councils; and
- Encouraging students to reflect upon important American principles and events through the annual "Idea of America" essay contest.
Program: Challenge Grants
Contact: Office of Challenge Grants at 202-606-8309 or at challenge@neh.gov.
Description : NEH Challenge Grants help institutions and organizations secure long-term improvements in and support for their humanities programs and resources. Awards are made to museums, public libraries, colleges, research institutions, historical societies and historic sites, public television and radio stations, universities, scholarly associations, state humanities councils, and other nonprofit entities. Because of the matching requirements, these NEH awards also strengthen the humanities by encouraging nonfederal sources of support. Both federal and nonfederal funds must provide long-term benefits to the humanities. Challenge grant funds should not merely replace funds already being expended on the humanities, but instead should reflect careful strategic planning to strengthen and enhance the institution's activities in and commitment to the humanities. Challenge grants most commonly augment or establish endowments that support humanities activities in education, public programming, scholarly research, and preservation. Institutions may use the income from invested funds to meet ongoing humanities-related costs. Examples include:
- faculty and staff positions,
- fellowships,
- lecture or exhibition series,
- visiting scholars or consultants,
- publishing subventions,
- maintenance of facilities,
- faculty and staff development,
- acquisitions, and
- preservation/conservation programs.
Because of the matching requirements, these NEH awards also strengthen the humanities by encouraging nonfederal sources of support. Both federal and nonfederal funds must provide long-term benefits to the humanities. Challenge grant funds should not merely replace funds already being expended on the humanities, but instead should reflect careful strategic planning to strengthen and enhance the institution's activities in and commitment to the humanities.
Who May Apply: With the exception of elementary and secondary schools or school districts, any U.S. nonprofit institution (public agency or private nonprofit organization) working wholly or in part with the humanities may apply for a challenge grant. Affiliated institutions (e.g., university museums) should consult with NEH staff on questions of separate eligibility.
Program: Challenge Grants in United States History, Institutions and Culture:
Description: As part of its We the People initiative, NEH funds proposals for challenge grants designed to help institutions and organizations secure long-term improvements in and support for humanities activities focused on exploring significant themes and events in American history. For the February 2005 competition, the NEH was interested in projects that advance knowledge of the founding principles of the United States in their full historical and institutional context. The February 2006 competition will be announced on this website later in the year.
Community, National and Public Service
Programs : 94.006 - AmeriCorps
94.009 - Training and Technical Assistance
94.013 - Volunteers in Service to America
94.002 - Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
94.004 - Learn and Serve America_School and Community Based Programs
94.007 - Planning and Program Development Grants
94.011 - Foster Grandparent Program
94.016 - Senior Companion Program
Agency : Corporation for National and Community Service
Deadlines: Go to this website
Description: The Corporation offers a number of grant programs for 2005. The list of those grant programs, the contact information and the deadlines for each program is here.Agency : Department of Homeland Security
Program: 97.053 Citizen Corps
Description: The purpose of Citizen Corps is to supplement and assist State and local efforts to expand Citizen Corps. This includes Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, establishing Citizen Corps Councils and supporting the oversight and outreach responsibilities of the councils. The program supports and promotes efforts to involve a wide range of volunteer groups in activities that enhance individual, community, and family preparedness and contribute to the strengthening of homeland security.
Political and Civic Participation
The following Federal government offices work to strengthen citizenship.
Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Citizenship Washington, DC 97.010 DHS Citizenship Education and Training |
The Office of Citizenship works to promote an understanding of the civic principles on which this nation was founded and increase public awareness of the benefits and responsibilities associated with U.S. Citizenship. Specifically, it seeks to:
The grant program’s objective is to promote instruction and training in citizenship responsibilities for persons interested in becoming naturalized citizens of the United States and to initiate and further efforts on their part to learn the English language and acquire the knowledge of U.S. history and government needed to qualify for naturalization. |
National Archives – “ Our Documents” Initiative Washington, DC |
The Our Documents initiative is a cooperative effort among National History Day, The National Archives and Records Administration, and the USA Freedom Corps and is designed to help us think, talk and teach about the rights and responsibilities of citizens in our democracy. It includes 100 milestone documents of American history that reflect our diversity and our unity, our past and our future, and mostly our commitment as a nation to continue to strive to "form a more perfect union." The National Archives supports National History Day, a yearlong education program that culminates in a national contest every June with competitions for both teachers and students. |
USA Freedom Corps |
The USA Freedom Corps is an effort to foster a culture of service, citizenship and responsibility and was launched in January 2002 by President Bush to capture the spirit of service that emerged in response to the attacks of September 11 th. The USA Freedom Corps functions as a White House coordinating council and works in partnership with federal agencies and departments to carry out policies and programs. |