Major Grants

Goals, Criteria and Deadlines

The Major Grant program provides grant awards up to $10,000 to support public humanities programs through two competitive grant rounds per year--one in the spring and one in the fall.

There are three categories of Major Grants: Practicing Democracy Grants (new in 2010), Civic Engagement Grants and Open Grants.

Successful Major Grants share the following goals and criteria:

Goals

1. Fund high-quality programs that stimulate thoughtful and informed discussions on issues and matters critical to Marylanders.
2. Support projects that use the humanities as the central resource to engage diverse groups and individuals in informed dialogue and civic engagement.
3. Promote programs that include a wide variety of perspectives on an issue.

Criteria

• Specific humanities themes and questions are used to engage participants with the project.
• Contributing humanities scholars and other specialists have significant and recognized experience with the project topics
• Participating humanities scholars are strong, competent, and well-matched to their area of expertise within the project.
• Innovative methods to involve participants and encourage them to reflect on the human experience in a meaningful way are employed.
• The grant proposal is well thought out, comprehensive and clear.
  
• The project topic is addressed from diverse voices and perspectives.
• The program format encourages informed discussion and civic engagement.
• The program topic addresses an issue or matter critical to Marylanders.
• The work plan adequately details event planning, implementation, and close-out activities.
• The evaluation plan effectively measures the ways in which the project achieves its goals.
• The program and publicity plan reflect the organization's efforts to reach beyond its traditional audience.
• The budget meets matched funds requirements and falls within MHC guidelines.

Deadlines

Spring: For projects beginning on or after July 1 of each year
Letters of Inquiry Due: March 1
Grant Proposals Due: April 15
Notification: Late May

Fall: For projects beginning on or after January 1 of each year
Letters of Inquiry Due: September 1
Grant Proposals Due: October 15
Notification: Late November

Deadlines falling on weekends or holidays will be moved to the next business day.

Questions?

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