Opportunity Information: Apply for 2025NEA01ORAGRANTS
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is offering the Research Grants in the Arts (RGA) program for FY 2026 under funding opportunity number 2025NEA01ORAGRANTS (CFDA 45.024). This is a discretionary grant opportunity focused on supporting research studies that examine the value and/or impact of the arts. Projects can look at the arts as standalone parts of the U.S. arts ecosystem or explore how the arts connect with other parts of American life, including interactions across different arts disciplines or between the arts and other sectors.
This opportunity is designed for research-oriented proposals that produce credible evidence and insights about how arts and cultural activity matter, for whom, and under what conditions. The scope is intentionally broad: applicants may focus on outcomes within the arts ecosystem itself (such as artists, organizations, audiences, participation patterns, or cultural infrastructure) or study the arts in relationship to other domains (for example, education, health, community development, civic life, workforce and local economies, public policy, or social wellbeing). The core idea is to generate findings that can inform practitioners, policymakers, funders, and communities about the role and effects of the arts.
The NEA expects to make about 15 awards through this program. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $100,000 per grant. The application closing date listed for this opportunity is March 24, 2025, and the opportunity record was created on January 27, 2025. As a grant (rather than a contract), the program generally supports proposed research activities and deliverables as described by the applicant, consistent with federal grant requirements and the NEA's program rules.
A wide range of applicant types are eligible. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and special district governments, as well as independent school districts. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are eligible, along with nonprofit organizations holding IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions under that category). Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are also eligible to apply. This mix of eligible entities signals that the NEA is open to proposals from universities, research centers, arts service organizations, nonprofits, and public agencies, as long as the work is structured as a research study aligned with the RGA purpose.
In practical terms, a strong RGA application typically frames a clear research question related to arts value or impact, explains why the question matters, and lays out a defensible study design. Competitive proposals usually describe methods appropriate to the question (quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, evaluation-style designs, or other rigorous approaches), show that the team has the expertise and access needed to carry out the work, and specify outputs that will make the results usable beyond the immediate project team. The program is ultimately aimed at building stronger national knowledge about the arts, how arts ecosystems function, and how arts engagement intersects with broader American social and economic life.Apply for 2025NEA01ORAGRANTS
- The National Endowment for the Arts in the arts sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NEA Research Grants in the Arts, FY 2026" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.024.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-01-27.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-03-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NEA Research Grants in the Arts (RGA) - FY 2026
What is this grant opportunity?
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Research Grants in the Arts (RGA) program for FY 2026 is a discretionary grant opportunity that supports research studies examining the value and/or impact of the arts. The funding opportunity number is 2025NEA01ORAGRANTS and the CFDA number is 45.024.
What kinds of projects does RGA support?
RGA supports research-oriented projects that produce credible evidence and insights about how arts and cultural activity matter, for whom, and under what conditions. Projects may focus on the arts as standalone components of the U.S. arts ecosystem or examine how the arts connect with other areas of American life.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program is intended to generate findings that can inform practitioners, policymakers, funders, and communities about the role and effects of the arts. It emphasizes research that produces credible evidence and actionable insights.
How broad is the research scope?
The scope is intentionally broad. Applicants may propose studies focused on outcomes within the arts ecosystem itself or on the arts in relationship to other domains. The key is that the work is structured as a research study aligned with the RGA purpose of examining arts value and/or impact.
What topics within the arts ecosystem are allowed?
Applicants may study outcomes within the arts ecosystem such as artists, arts organizations, audiences, arts participation patterns, and cultural infrastructure.
Can projects study the arts in connection with non-arts sectors?
Yes. RGA explicitly allows research on how the arts intersect with other domains, such as education, health, community development, civic life, workforce and local economies, public policy, and social wellbeing.
Does the program require a specific arts discipline or field?
No specific arts discipline is required based on the information provided. Projects may explore interactions across different arts disciplines or examine connections between the arts and other sectors.
Is this funding a grant or a contract?
This opportunity is a grant, not a contract. As described, the program generally supports proposed research activities and deliverables as laid out by the applicant, consistent with federal grant requirements and NEA program rules.
How many awards does the NEA expect to make?
The NEA expects to make about 15 awards through this program.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $100,000 per grant.
When is the application deadline?
The application closing date listed for this opportunity is March 24, 2025.
When was this opportunity posted/created?
The opportunity record was created on January 27, 2025.
Who is eligible to apply?
A wide range of entities are eligible, including government bodies, school districts, institutions of higher education, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (with a noted exclusion for higher education institutions under that category), and federally recognized tribal governments.
Are state governments eligible?
Yes. State governments are listed as eligible applicants.
Are county governments eligible?
Yes. County governments are listed as eligible applicants.
Are city or township governments eligible?
Yes. City or township governments are listed as eligible applicants.
Are special district governments eligible?
Yes. Special district governments are listed as eligible applicants.
Are independent school districts eligible?
Yes. Independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.
Are public colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Are private colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status are eligible, with the stated exception that higher education institutions are excluded under that nonprofit category.
Are federally recognized Native American tribal governments eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible to apply.
What does the NEA look for in a strong application?
Based on the description provided, strong applications typically:
- Frame a clear research question related to the value and/or impact of the arts.
- Explain why the research question matters.
- Present a defensible and rigorous study design.
- Use methods appropriate to the question (quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, evaluation-style designs, or other rigorous approaches).
- Demonstrate that the research team has the expertise and access needed to carry out the study.
- Specify outputs that make results usable beyond the immediate project team.
What kinds of research methods are acceptable?
The program description indicates that a range of rigorous methods may be appropriate, including quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, and evaluation-style designs, as well as other rigorous approaches aligned with the research question.
What does "credible evidence" mean in this context?
The opportunity emphasizes research that produces credible evidence and insights. While it does not define the term in detail, it points to the importance of a defensible study design, appropriate methods, and a team with the expertise and access needed to complete the work.
What types of deliverables or outputs are expected?
The NEA emphasizes outputs that make the results usable beyond the immediate project team. The specific deliverables are expected to be proposed by the applicant and supported by the grant, consistent with federal grant requirements and NEA program rules.
Who is the intended audience for the research findings?
The findings are intended to inform practitioners, policymakers, funders, and communities about the role and effects of the arts.
What is the overall goal of funding this research?
The program aims to build stronger national knowledge about the arts, how arts ecosystems function, and how arts engagement intersects with broader American social and economic life.
Does the program only support studies about arts participation and audiences?
No. Participation and audiences are explicitly mentioned as possible topics, but the program is broader and includes studies about artists, organizations, cultural infrastructure, and the arts in connection with other sectors like health, education, and the economy.
Can the research focus on conditions that affect arts outcomes?
Yes. The program specifically highlights interest in understanding how arts and cultural activity matter, for whom, and under what conditions.
Is the program geared more toward practitioners or academic research?
The opportunity is geared toward research-oriented proposals and welcomes eligible entities such as universities and research centers, but it also stresses that findings should be usable for practitioners, policymakers, funders, and communities.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (2025NEA01ORAGRANTS) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| NEA Grants for Arts Projects 1, FY 2026 Apply for 2025NEA01GAP1MARCH Funding Number: 2025NEA01GAP1MARCH Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau, PAS Annual Program Statement Apply for OFOP0001771 Funding Number: OFOP0001771 Agency: U.S. Mission to China Category: Arts Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Annual Program Statement for U.S. Presentation at International Art Biennales Apply for DFOP0017204 Funding Number: DFOP0017204 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Arts Funding Amount: $375,000 |
| U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau, PAS Annual Program Statement Apply for OFOP0001931 Funding Number: OFOP0001931 Agency: U.S. Mission to Hong Kong and Macau Category: Arts Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Algiers PAS Annual Program Statement Apply for OFOP0001990 Funding Number: OFOP0001990 Agency: U.S. Mission to Algeria Category: Arts Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| NEA Grants for Arts Projects 2, FY 2026 Apply for 2025NEA01GAP2 Funding Number: 2025NEA01GAP2 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Celebrating America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes Apply for 2025NEAGARDEN Funding Number: 2025NEAGARDEN Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Mayors' Institute on City Design (MICD), FY 2026 Apply for NEAPS2502 Funding Number: NEAPS2502 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $540,000 |
| NEA Grants for Arts Projects 1, FY 2027 Apply for 2026NEA01GAP1 Funding Number: 2026NEA01GAP1 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| NEA Research Grants in the Arts, FY 2027 Apply for 2026NEA01ORAGRANTS Funding Number: 2026NEA01ORAGRANTS Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| NEA Research Labs, FY 2027 Apply for 2026NEA01ORALABS Funding Number: 2026NEA01ORALABS Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert and Related Events, FY 2027 Apply for NEAPS2603 Funding Number: NEAPS2603 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $475,000 |
| Annual Program Statement for U.S. Presentation at International Architecture Biennales Apply for DFOP0017180 Funding Number: DFOP0017180 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Arts Funding Amount: $381,000 |
| NEA Grants for Arts Projects 2, FY 2027 Apply for 2026NEA01GAP2 Funding Number: 2026NEA01GAP2 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $100,000 |
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