Planning Grants
Planning Grants of up to $25,000 support the research, planning, and development of humanities projects, such as exhibitions, public programs, and interpretive digital media.
On this page, you will find:
Planning Grants of up to $25,000 support the research, planning, and development of humanities projects, such as exhibitions, public programs, and interpretive digital media.
On this page, you will find:
Planning Grants help organizations conduct scholarly research and travel, gather feedback from key stakeholders, and make all the necessary preparations to develop, finalize, and implement their project plan.
Although a Planning Grant is not required to receive an Implementation Grant, and receipt of a Planning Grant does not guarantee Implementation funding, Planning Grant work is intended to provide the applicant with the knowledge and plan to be able to implement their project idea.
Planning Grant proposals must demonstrate significant humanities scholarship and content and articulate clearly defined goals that will be achieved during the project period. At the end of the Planning Grant, the project should have identified clear next steps such as a plan for the implementation of the project or a newly-identified area for further research and development.
For more information and examples of typical Planning Grant projects, view the “Sample Planning Grants” tab.
What are the humanities?
The humanities are fields of learning that help us to understand and appreciate human history, culture, values, and beliefs. They include (but are not limited to) history, cultural studies, civics, literature, and art history and criticism. For a more complete view of the humanities, click here.
What about the arts? What about STEM?
CT Humanities supports the intersection of the humanities and other fields such as arts or STEM. Planning Grants can fund projects that explore this intersection of humanities and other fields. For example, the research and development of an exhibition on rising sea levels and its impact on our communities could be funded by a Planning Grant.
Note: Projects often evolve during the planning process and not all planning grants lead to project development exactly as envisioned in the original application. CT Humanities works with applicants over the life of their project plan to assist them if changes or project delays occur.
Please note that application questions may change. Some sample applications do not reflect all questions asked in the current application. Click the “Guidelines and Application” tab to preview the current Planning Grant application.
Guidelines:
Please read the Planning Grant guidelines before applying. The Planning Grant Guidelines outline eligibility requirements, eligible expenses, matching requirements, grant duration, and more.
Funding Priorities:
CT Humanities seeks to fund projects with significant humanities scholarship and content that explores topics and stories in an inclusive, diverse, and equitable manner. You can find more information about our funding priorities here.
Preview the Application:
To preview the current Planning Grant application, click here. Please note that all character limits include spaces.
After speaking with Grants staff about your project, apply through the CTH Grant Application Portal.
Need help with navigating the CTH Grant Portal? Looking for resources to help your organization with its data collection? Seeking resources to help develop and strengthen humanities projects?
Click the button below to view our Resources for Applicants:
Please also feel free to reach out to CTH Grants Staff at grants@cthumanities.org with any questions.
Application deadlines are typically the first Friday of November and April.
2023-2024 Application deadlines:
Award notification: The first workday of July (for the April deadline) or January (for the November deadline)
Grant period: 18 months starting from the date of the award notification
We are eager to help you submit a strong application. Before applying, organizations must contact CTH Grants Staff at grants@cthumanities.org to discuss your project idea. Applications submitted without prior communication with CTH staff will not be considered.
For an overview of the application process, click here.
Online Grant Application PortalHave you received a Planning Grant? Visit the Resources for Grantees page here for information on grant management, a Public Relations Toolkit, and more resources!