Planning Grants

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” below.

 

Eligibility

Planning Grants are intended to help organizations develop and plan public humanities programs. To learn more about the humanities, click here.

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

For more information about eligibility, view the Guidelines below.

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 that include significant humanities scholarship and content; explore topics and stories in an inclusive, diverse, and equitable manner; and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the formation of the United States consistent with the America 250 | CT Commission’s guiding themes.

View Funding Priorities

If your project involves or interprets Indigenous history or cultures, please also note CT Humanities’ Indigenous Values Statement and accompanying resources here.

FAQs & Resources for Applicants

Need help with navigating the CTH Grant Portal? Have questions about CTH’s grants? Seeking resources to help develop and strengthen humanities projects?

Click the button below to view our FAQs & Resources for Applicants:

FAQs & Resources for Applicants

Please also feel free to reach out to CTH Grants Staff at grants@cthumanities.org with any questions.

Important Dates

Upcoming Application Deadlines FY24-25:

  • May 2, 2025

Award Notification: By the first workday of January (for November applications) or July (for May applications)

Grant Period: 18 months

Sample Planning Grants

Please note that application questions may change from year to year. Some sample model applications may not reflect all questions asked in the current application.

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.

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:

Vinland Map Exhibit Floor Plan, Mystic Seaport Museum

How to 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 a PDF preview of the current Planning Grant application, click here.

For an overview of the application process, click here.

Online Grant Application Portal

Recently Funded Planning Grants

In 2024, the success rate for Planning Grants was

35%

Sign Up For Email Updates