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:

  1. Planning Grants Overview
  2. Apply
  3. FAQs
  4. Resources for Grantees

Planning Grants Overview

What are Planning Grants?Sample Planning GrantsGuidelines & ApplicationResourcesImportant Dates

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.

Exhibitions

Planning Grants can fund the research and planning of exhibitions. Such work may include time and travel needed to conduct scholarly research, preparation of objects for inclusion in the exhibition (securing of loan agreements, object photography, digitization, conservation, etc.), conducting surveys or focus groups with key stakeholders (scholars, educators, community members, etc.), and working with contractors to develop the exhibition’s graphic identity, layout, and marketing/publicity plans.

Sample Model Applications:

Discussion-Based Public Programs

Planning Grants can fund the research and development of discussion-based public programs, such as lecture series or program series. Planning work may include time and travel needed to conduct scholarly research, finalizing all details of programs (dates, venues, presenters, etc.), conducting surveys or focus groups with key stakeholders (scholars, educators, community members, program partners, etc.), and creation of a marketing plan.

Sample Model Applications:

Interpretive Digital Media Projects

Planning Grants can fund the research and development of interpretive digital media projects, such as digital exhibits, virtual tours, and documentary films. Such work may include time and travel needed to conduct scholarly research, investigation and analysis of software, hardware, and other technology to be used, conducting surveys or focus groups with key stakeholders (scholars, educators, community members, etc.), creation of sample text, wire frames, site maps, and structural layout and plans of the media to be created, and marketing plans for the finished product.

Sample model applications to come.

Curriculum Development

Planning Grants can fund the planning and development of humanities-based curricula to be implemented in person or virtually. Planning work may include time and travel needed to conduct scholarly research, working with educators and curriculum specialists to ensure that projects meet curriculum standards, prototyping pilot programs to gather feedback before final implementation, and development of a marketing and outreach plan.

Sample Model Applications:

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.

View Grant Guidelines

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:

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:

  • November 3, 2023
  • April 5, 2024

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

Vinland Map Exhibit Floor Plan, Mystic Seaport Museum

Apply

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 Portal

FAQs about Planning Grants

What types of organizations are eligible to apply for a Planning Grant?
To apply for a Planning Grant, your organization must be one of the following:

  • A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in the state of Connecticut for at least one year and governed by a board of directors that meets regularly
  • A municipality in the state of Connecticut
  • A Connecticut-based federally or State recognized tribe

Non-eligible applicants may choose to partner with an eligible organization to apply for a Planning Grant, though in this case CT Humanities would be contracting with the eligible partner organization. You can find more information about eligibility requirements in the Planning Grant guidelines (see the “Guidelines and Application” tab above).

Do I need to receive a Planning Grant in order to apply for an Implementation Grant?
No. A Planning Grant is not required to receive an Implementation Grant, and receipt of a Planning Grant does not guarantee Implementation funding.

How much information do I need to include in my application?
The more information you can provide, the better. Typically, a competitive Planning Grant application will include a narrative describing the history of the project, aims of the planning stage of the project, and how you hope to implement the project after the planning stage, a list of project team members and why they are the right people for the project, a schedule for the research or development of the project, and clearly articulated goals for the planning stage of the project.

What are eligible expenses for grant funds?
You can find a list of eligible expenses and funding exclusions in the grant guidelines (see the “Guidelines and Application” tab above). If you are unsure whether an expense is allowable, please feel free to reach out to Grants staff.

What are eligible matching funds?
Planning Grants require a minimum 1:1 match. These matching funds can come from any combination of the following:

  • External Funds – Funds raised to support the project, such as through donations or other grants.
  • Applicant Funds – Funds from your organizations spent on the project, such as salary for staff time or the purchase of equipment.
  • In-Kind Contributions – The value of any donated time or items for the project. For example, volunteers’ time can be valued and used to match the grant (for a typical volunteer, we recommend that volunteer time be valued at the current IRS or AARP recommended rate ($31/hr in 2023); for specialists donating their time, value their time at their regular rates).

Funding from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development or any other state agency cannot be used for matching purposes. For more information about matching requirements, view the grant guidelines (see the “Guidelines and Application” tab above).

Can I have a Planning Grant and Implementation Grant open at the same time?
No. At any given time, an organization may have:

You are eligible to apply for an Implementation Grant or another Planning Grant after you’ve completed your final report and closed your open Planning Grant.

How will my grant application be scored?
The Application Review Committee will score your application using these questions, which will be used as the basis of their discussion of all grant applications. You can find more information about the application review process here. 

Can I save a copy of my application?
Yes. In the CTH Grants Portal, open your grant application. Under your contact information, you should see three buttons. Click the middle button “Application Packet” to create a PDF of your application. 

How are funds disbursed?
Funds are disbursed in two installments: 80% at the time of fully executed grant agreement and the remaining 20% after completion of the final report. Starting in 2023, funds are disbursed via ACH transfers through Bill.com. If you have not previously received funds through Bill from CTH, you can follow these steps to register for Bill and connect to us for payment.

Resources for Grantees

Have you received a Planning Grant? Visit the Resources for Grantees page here for information on grant management, a Public Relations Toolkit, and more resources!

Sign Up For Email Updates