Humanities Research

Learn about grants for humanities research by exploring the curated list of top humanities funders below. Members can also research funding opportunities using the search tool for GrantFinder. Become a member.

Key Funders

State Humanities Councils
American Association of University Women
American Council of Learned Societies
American Philosophical Society
Consortium of Humanities Centers and Institutes
Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation
Ford Foundation
The J. Paul Getty Trust
John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Institute for Advanced Study
Institute for Citizens and Scholars (formerly Woodrow Wilson Nat’l Fellowship Foundation)
The Knight Foundation
Samuel H. Kress Foundation
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
The MacArthur Foundation
The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
National Endowment for the Humanities
National Humanities Center
Rockefeller Foundation
Russell Sage Foundation
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Smithsonian Fellowships and Internships
The Spencer Foundation

Trends in Humanities Funding

Grants for humanities research reflect a small slice of total philanthropic giving. As the humanities come under fire, particularly in the U.S., research funding seems increasingly out of reach.

The history of the humanities, often a highly debated area of study unto itself, entails arguments not only with regard to what counts as the study of humanism, but also speaks to concerns such as a lack of perceived diversity, not only in what is studied, but who gets to study it.

While there is a distinction between the social sciences, which seek to define issues more quantitatively, and the humanities, which questions issues in qualitative terms, funding for the humanities often includes both.

Today, the humanities, according to the National Humanities Center, include “the study of history, philosophy and religion, modern and ancient languages and literatures, fine and performing arts, media and cultural studies, and other fields,” such as anthropology and even the social sciences.

General grantmaking for the humanities

Institutional funding makes up the bulk of philanthropy in the humanities research space, with a particular emphasis on art history and conservation, as well as on fellowships. Anthropology, which most believe belongs to both science and the humanities, also receives foundational grants.

Many college and university performing arts programs and conservatories likewise rely on philanthropy for some of their funding.

For the most part, funders do not have specific humanities programs, but some exceptions exist. A handful of major funders — as well as state, federal, public and private funders — have dedicated programs focused on the humanities. Typically, this kind of funding is laser focused on a particular aspect of humanities research, but can sometimes be more general and inclusive in scope.

Historic scarcity of humanities funding

While humanities research funding has long been considered scarce, others identify the lack of available humanities research funding as a crisis facing the humanities.

Several major sources of funding for the humanities have ceased to exist at a time when the humanities need the most support. As Asheesh Kapur Siddique reflects in an article for Inside Higher Ed, several “longstanding fellowships that provided general public or private support for doctoral education in the humanities have also been discontinued,” such as the Javits Fellowship, which ended in 2011, as well as “the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellowship in Humanistic Studies (1993–2006), and the Ford Foundation Fellowship (1967-2022).” But, the “big elephant in the room,” as Siddique notes, is the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s recent shift away from “supporting general…research in the humanities.”

As one of the most important private funders of humanities research in the U.S, it is unclear how general grantmaking for the humanities will be affected long term in the wake of Mellon’s decision.

Public funding for humanities research

In contrast to STEM fields and the natural sciences, the humanities have not kept up public funding models for humanities research. With the exception of a handful of major public funders like the National Endowment of the Humanities, public funding for the humanities lags behind that of other fields despite an increase in enrollment across humanities departments in the U.S. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, in its piece Beyond the NEH: Other Support for Humanities Activities, identifies several other sources of public humanities funding.

Colleges and universities, as well as individual scholars, usually compete with museums, art conservation nonprofits, museums and research institutions, among others, for funding to support travel, archival work, fellowships, dissertations, early-career work and research at large, among other needs. But this should not discourage grant seekers.

As the Federation of State Humanities Councils’ site attests, humanities councils and forums exist in almost every state in the U.S. They provide important funding at the state-level for the humanities.

Recent humanities funding trends

The American Academy of Arts & Sciences identifies an array of humanities funding and research opportunities that occur at the state, federal, private and not-for-profit levels. In a recent report, the AAAS found that from 2020 to 2021, giving from corporations, foundations and individuals to what it calls “arts-culture-humanities,” or ACH organizations, funding “jumped 21.8% in inflation-adjusted value to $23.5 billion, its highest level in records going back to the early 1980s.”

That said, with the sharp increase to arts and humanities funding in 2021, giving to ACH organizations grew to “slightly more than 4.8% of all giving—the ACH sector’s largest share on record.” It remains to be seen if this humanities funding trend will continue in the future.

Foundations for Humanities Research

AMERICAN ACADEMY IN BERLIN

The American Academy in Berlin is an independent institution for the study of humanities, social sciences, arts, and policy. It awards the prestigious Berlin Prize, a residency fellowship for scholars and artists from the U.S.

AMERICAN ACADEMY IN ROME

The American Academy in Rome awards the prestigious Rome Prize for humanities scholars and artists. It also runs other programs for the humanities and an internship for culinary arts.

ALWALEED PHILANTHROPIES

Alwaleed giving for humanities research promotes “intercultural and interfaith dialogue and understanding through academia and creative learning.”

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN

The AAUW has one of the oldest grantmaking vehicles, dating back to 1888. It supports women who are “completing dissertations, planning research leave from accredited institutions, or preparing research for publication” at institutions in the United States.

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATION

APF offers scholarships for students of psychology, neuropsychology, child psychology, behavioral psychology, pyschopharmacology and public policy.

JOHN W. ANDERSON FOUNDATION

The John W. Anderson Foundation, a regional funder, supports youth, higher education, community needs, medical and scientific research, health, human services, and arts and humanities in Northwest Indiana.

ANNENBERG FOUNDATION

Annenberg gives for humanities and culture predominantly in Southern California.

ARCADIA FUND

London-based Arcadia’s cultural giving seeks to preserve and protect endangered heritage sites and artifacts around the world.

ASIAN CULTURAL COUNCIL

BARNARD LIBRARY RESEARCH GRANTS

Barnard Library Research Grants support research conducted by students, faculty and others using Barnard’s collections and archives. Areas of interest include women’s history, feminist movements, modern dance history and zine culture, among other areas.

BAY & PAUL FOUNDATIONS

The Bay & Paul Foundations support transformative pre-K-12 learning, arts and humanities education, Indigenous communities and other work. The foundations are active in New York and New Jersey, but fund projects in other areas of the U.S., as well.

BOGLIASCO FOUNDATION

This funder supports scholarly humanities research through residencies based in Italy.

BRADLEY FOUNDATION

The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation is a conservative juggernaut providing research grants and graduate-level Bradley Fellowships, both of which are designed to support like-minded academics.

MAX VAN BERCHEM FOUNDATION

BROAD FOUNDATION

The Broad Foundation does not have a higher ed grantmaking program, but it conducts some humanities work as it relates to the arts.

CALIFORNIA HUMANITIES

California Humanities supports arts and culture, film, libraries and other humanities topics throughout the state of California.

CAPITAL GROUPS COMPANIES CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The Capital Groups Companies Charitable Foundation invests in colleges, universities, and post-secondary organizations across the United States.

E. RHODES AND LEONA B. CARPENTER FOUNDATION

The E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation supports graduate theological study, performing arts, Asian art, nursing and LGBTQ issues.

CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK

As one of the largest foundations in the United States, Carnegie’s grants invest in the study of Africa, international relations, human rights, immigration and other subjects.

CHANEL FOUNDATION

Chanel’s grantmaking for education and humanities funding focuses on granting access to education and vocational training in order to improve women’s economic development outcomes.

CHARLES EVANS HUGHES MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

The Charles Evans Hughes Memorial invests in higher education grantmaking across the United States, predominantly in the northeastern region.

CHARLES PARKER TRUST FOR PUBLIC MUSIC FUND

The Charles Parker Trust for Public Music Fund supports the arts, culture and humanities as they relate to music in New Britain, Connecticut.

COUNCIL OF AMERICAN OVERSEAS RESEARCH CENTERS

COUNCIL FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OF SCHOLARS

CMS FUND

The CMS Fund is a branch of the College Music Society, a consortium of musicians, conservators and academics dedicated to promoting music research, education, creation, and outreach.

COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS

The Council on Foreign Relations supports higher education and international relations scholars via research and writing fellowships.

WALLACE H. COULTER FOUNDATION

Coulter tends to award higher education grants to large-scale partners with strong departments in biomedical engineering. It also gives to a select group of colleges, universities and professional societies.

CRESAP FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Cresap Family Foundation supports funding for the arts and humanities, among other interests, in Oklahoma.

HILDA AND PRESTON DAVIS FOUNDATION

This funder does not outline specific goals for its higher education funding, but tax filings suggest that its priorities include science programs and religious education.

ARTHUR VINING DAVIS FOUNDATIONS

This funder gives grants to private liberal arts and science colleges and affiliated organizations, with special funding earmarked for traditionally black, Native American and Appalachian colleges. Grants are awarded for undergraduate programs only.

SHELBY CULLOM DAVIS CHARITABLE FUND

The Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund supports higher education institutions across the country including large universities and local colleges for exhibits and museum work related to archeology, history and the arts.

DELOITTE FOUNDATION

Deloitte Foundation’s philanthropy is related to the humanities is focused almost entirely on academia as it relates to accounting practices and studies.

DUKE ENDOWMENT

The Duke Endowment’s higher education grantmaking is its largest area of giving.

DORIS DUKE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Funding from Doris Duke is available through the foundation’s Arts, Environment, Medical Research, and Child Well-Being programs, as well as through its African Health Initiative.

ENSWORTH CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The Ensworth Charitable Foundation supports arts and culture, human services, health, education and humanities in Hartford, Connecticut, and the surrounding communities.

SHERMAN FAIRCHILD FOUNDATION

Post-secondary grants from Fairchild have supported liberal arts colleges, but do not appear to directly fund humanities research.

FIVE COLLEGE WOMEN’S STUDIES RESEARCH CENTER

FORD FOUNDATION

Since its recent restructuring, Ford makes grants for the humanities through a social justice lens.

GEORGE A. & ELIZA GARDNER HOWARD FOUNDATION

GETTY FOUNDATION

While institutions of higher education and university-based museums receive funding grants through Getty’s visual arts funding program, the Getty Foundation also supports higher education and humanities research through its internship and fellowship programs.

ROSALINDE AND ARTHUR GILBERT FOUNDATION

Higher education receives support from Gilbert’s college access program, which names post-secondary success and the “elimination of systematic barriers” to college completion as areas of priority.

GREEN FAMILY FOUNDATION

This Miami funder’s education grants tend to be broad and occur nationally. However, some grants have supported Black Studies, Caribbean Studies, and Latin American Studies, among related interests.

HARRY FRANK GUGGENHEIM FOUNDATION

The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation funds research and dissertation fellowships that address violence through the lenses of academic disciplines.

HEWLETT FOUNDATION

Hewlett’s grants for the humanities occur through its focus on the Bay area, as well as through arts and culture.

HUMANITIES WASHINGTON

This funder makes grants for the humanities in the state of Washington.

HUNTINGTON LIBRARY

WILLIAM H. HURT FOUNDATION

The William H. Hurt Foundation seeks higher education institutions and organizations located in areas in which foundation staff and board members reside.

IMAGINING AMERICA

INSTITUTE OF CLASSICAL STUDIES

INSTITUTE FOR HUMANE STUDIES

VIOLET JABARA CHARITABLE TRUST

The Violet Jabara Charitable Trust makes grants to support community and economic development in the Middle East. It also funds efforts within the U.S. to positively impact American perceptions of the region.

HENRY M. JACKSON FOUNDATION

The Jackson Foundation’s International Affairs Education program seeks to “advance education, scholarship and public understanding of historical developments and current issues.”

JAPAN-UNITED STATES FRIENDSHIP COMMISSION

This funder is an independent federal government agency that supports projects that highlight the cultural, educational and intellectual exchange between the United States and Japan.

ANNA-MARIA AND STEPHEN KELLEN FOUNDATION

The Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation awards grants to higher education institutions across the country; however, it prioritizes those located on the East Coast.

RICHARD P. AND LAURINE KIMMEL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The Richard P. and Laurine Kimmel Charitable Foundation supports education, the arts, agriculture, human services and humanities in Iowa and Nebraska.

KINGFISHER FOUNDATION

Beyond grantmaking for marine and environmental conservation, this funder also makes grants for Art History research focused on East Asia.

KNIGHT FOUNDATION

Higher education funding from Knight is available in the arts, community initiatives, journalism, and innovation in media programs. Grants are open to a wide range of applicants, but some have geographic restrictions.

KRESGE FOUNDATION

Kresge’s funding for the humanities occurs through its focus on arts and culture, as well as on education; however, work must relate to social justice and equity in some significant way. Funding is limited here for the humanities.

SAMUEL H. KRESS FOUNDATION

The Samuel H. Kress Foundation does not have a large endowment, but its support of scholarly work in the field of art history is robust. The foundation generally awards research grants and fellowships in art history, art conservation, and digital resources.

LEAR FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Lear Family Foundation makes a handful of broad grants to higher education outfits each year.

LEON LEVY FOUNDATION

The foundation’s arts and culture and nature and gardens funding operate almost exclusively in New York, supporting both landmark institutions and small, community-led groups. The ancient world program is global in scope and has funded major excavations and restoration projects in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

LILLY ENDOWMENT

While the Lilly Endowment is well known for its support of campus business programs and nonprofits focused on increasing higher ed access for minorities, its Christianity-oriented religion grantmaking focus is also a major source of research funding.

HENRY LUCE FOUNDATION

The Henry Luce Foundation’s largest area of grantmaking is higher education, which it supports through a dedicated initiative, as well as funding from its Asia, American Art and Religion and Theology grantmaking programs. The foundation’s American Art program is an important source of funding to small- and medium-sized museums working in the fields of American and Native American visual arts.

MACARTHUR FOUNDATION

MacArthur does not operate a higher-education program, but does award grants to colleges and universities through its major programs. The foundation recently restructured, shutting down and phasing out many programs.

MCCUNE FOUNDATION

The McCune Foundation supports education, human services, humanities and civic needs in Pennsylvania.

ANDREW W. MELLON FOUNDATION

Mellon’s grants for the humanities and culture are extensive — and competitive. This funder has also restructured humanities funding.

METROPOLITCAN MUSEUM OF ART

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS

NEA is an independent government organization that funds art projects that celebrate American artistic excellence. Some funding intersects with the humanities as it pertains to the arts.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES

NEH is an independent government organization that funds projects to promote research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities.

NEWBERRY LIBRARY

ONE INSTITUTE

The ONE Institute, previously the ONE Archives Foundation, oversees the ONE Archives, a large collection of LGBTQ materials at the University of Southern California. Humanities research must relate to LGBTQ issues.

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS

OSF gives humanities funding to institutions and organizations that address some aspect of what it calls “expression” and how it relates to culture.

PEW CENTER FOR ARTS AND HERITAGE

The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage awards grants exclusively to organizations and individuals in the five-county Southeastern Pennsylvania region. It supports artists and organizations with ambitious, imaginative projects. Humanities funding must center on some aspect of the arts.

PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS

Pew does not outline specific goals for its higher education giving and supports a broad range of institutions and researchers.

RADCLIFFE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY

ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG FOUNDATION

The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation awards grants to small and mid-sized arts organizations across all disciplines. Humanities work must focus on some aspect of the arts.

SURDNA FOUNDATION

The Surdna Foundation’s humanities research funding concentrates in the arts, but also on supporting scholars of color.

LAZLO N. TAUBER FOUNDATION

The Tauber Family Foundation’s humanities grants focus on Holocaust studies.

TEAGLE FOUNDATION

Teagle exclusively funds education, particularly the overlap between higher ed and the humanities.

JOHN TEMPLETON FOUNDATION

The Templeton Foundation’s grants support research projects in science, philosophy, theology and economics at elite institutions of higher education. Other areas of grantmaking include medical research, mental health and “the nature of genius.”

TERRA FOUNDATION FOR AMERICAN ART

The Terra Foundation names support for the field of American art scholarship as one of its main grantmaking goals. The foundation makes grants to colleges and universities and awards scholarships and fellowships to individuals studying or researching historical American art.