Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants | 20180809 CHA

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants program?

The Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants program is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) that supports long-term, sustainable improvements to humanities organizations. It focuses on strengthening durable infrastructure and expanding institutional capacity so recipients can preserve, protect, and provide access to high-value humanities resources over time.

What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?

The central goal is sustainability. Rather than funding short-lived projects, the program supports investments that keep paying off over time by improving the facilities, systems, tools, and financial structures that underpin core humanities work and stewardship.

What does it mean that this is a "challenge grant"?

A "challenge grant" means NEH funding is provided as matching funds and requires nonfederal contributions, referred to as certified gifts. The federal award is tied to the recipient securing required nonfederal support as part of the overall funding structure.

What are "certified gifts" in the context of this program?

Certified gifts are the required nonfederal contributions that match NEH funds under the challenge grant structure. These nonfederal funds are part of what enables the combined investment to support long-term capacity building.

How can recipients use the combined NEH funds and certified gifts?

Recipients may use the combined federal and nonfederal funds to build humanities capacity through a restricted, short-term endowment or another investment fund, including a spend-down fund. The intent is to produce expendable earnings that can support core humanities activities into the future.

Does this program fund short-term projects or immediate operating needs?

The emphasis is on long-term benefit and durable improvements, not short-lived projects. The program is designed to help create stable, ongoing support for essential humanities functions and lasting enhancements to infrastructure and capacity.

Can NEH challenge grant funds replace money an organization is already spending?

No. NEH expects the funds to add to and strengthen what an institution can do, rather than simply replacing existing dollars that are already being spent.

What kinds of activities are supported by this program?

The program supports a broad range of capacity-building activities tied to humanities collections and infrastructure, including documenting cultural heritage materials that are lost or imperiled, preserving and conserving humanities materials, and sustaining digital scholarly infrastructure.

Are equipment and software purchases allowable under this opportunity?

Yes. The program description explicitly includes purchasing equipment and software as eligible investments when they support lasting humanities capacity and infrastructure.

Does the program support facilities and construction-related work?

Yes. Eligible facility-related efforts include the design, purchase, construction, restoration, or renovation of spaces needed for humanities activities and for sharing or caring for collections.

What is the common requirement across all eligible project types?

The common thread is long-term benefit. Applicants must be able to show that proposed expenditures will strengthen humanities work in a lasting way for the institution and, more broadly, for the public and the field.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes public and private institutions of higher education, museums, public libraries, research institutions, historical societies and historic sites, scholarly associations, state humanities councils, and other public or nonprofit humanities organizations.

Are government entities eligible applicants?

Yes. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments, as well as federally recognized Native American tribal governments.

Do nonprofit applicants need a specific IRS status?

Nonprofits generally must hold 501(c)(3) status if applying as nonprofit entities.

Are collaborative or multi-institution projects allowed?

Yes. Collaborative projects involving multiple institutions are allowed. NEH requires that one organization serve as the lead institution and submit the application as the applicant of record.

What is the assistance listing number for this opportunity?

The program is listed under CFDA/Assistance Listing number 45.130.

What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount listed?

The listed award ceiling is $750,000.

What type of grant is this?

This opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant under the humanities funding activity area.

How does NEH describe the kinds of outcomes it wants to see?

NEH frames these challenge grants around strategic planning, lasting improvements, and a clear demonstration that the funded investments will enhance humanities activities for the long term.

Can grant funds be used to cover fundraising costs associated with securing the match?

Yes. Up to 10 percent of total grant funds (counting both the federal matching funds and the certified gifts) may be used for fundraising costs during the project period.

What dates are associated with the referenced posting?

The source data includes an original closing date of August 9, 2018, and a creation date of June 8, 2018. These dates are specific to the referenced posting.

Is this opportunity specifically about improving public access to humanities resources?

Yes. A key purpose is to improve an organization’s ability to preserve, protect, and provide access to high-value humanities resources, strengthening benefits for both the institution and the public.