Kentucky Humanities Grants

Kentucky Humanities grants offer up to $5,000 for Kentucky-based public humanities projects starting on or after December 1, 2026, and concluding by November 30, 2027. Funded projects are designed for the general public, not the classroom, and may include book discussions, conferences, development of curricular materials, exhibits, interpretive programs, lectures, radio and video productions, teacher training, and more.

How to Apply

This page and the grants portal will guide you through submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI) and, if invited, a full application. Please read all instructions carefully. Full deadlines are listed below under Deadlines.

Kentucky Humanities grants support Kentucky-based public humanities projects that demonstrate well-developed humanities content designed for communities, not classrooms, and that include close collaboration with humanities scholars.

Because Kentucky Humanities grants are made using federal funds, they are subject to all applicable federal regulations, as well as regulations from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Kentucky Humanities. All grants require a 1:1 cost share.

Applicant Eligibility

• Registered Kentucky nonprofit organization, institution, or group
• Active SAM.gov registration in good standing
• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) provided in SAM.gov

Not Eligible: for-profit organizations; individuals; political or advocacy organizations; current KH grantees

Project Eligibility

• Project activities must start on or after December 1, 2026, and should conclude by November 30, 2027
• Project is Kentucky-based or primarily serves Kentucky residents
• Project is humanities-based, though it may also include arts and other interdisciplinary components. Examples include lectures, book discussions, conferences, development of curricular materials, exhibit interpretation, community discussion of a performance, radio and video productions, teacher training, and more
• Project is directed primarily at the general public, both adults and young people, outside of the regular school or college classroom. Programs targeting special audiences are welcome as long as there is still a public component
• Project receives guidance from a Principal Humanities Scholar, who plays an active role in the project's design and execution, and ensures that it incorporates the humanities. The Principal Humanities Scholar is an individual with particular training or experience in an academic humanities discipline. Typical qualifications include an advanced degree (M.A. or Ph.D.); however, individuals without an advanced degree, or tribal leaders, may qualify due to recognized expertise and/or methods of research, inquiry, and teaching. The Principal Humanities Scholar must submit a letter of support with the grant application. The Principal Humanities Scholar may not also be the Project Director
• Project will generate a 1:1 cost share match for awarded KH grant funds. To meet this requirement, the grantee may contribute (1) cash and/or (2) in-kind services. See the Grant Glossary and Cost Share Sources for more information

Not Eligible: non-humanities programs; creative or performing arts or STEM projects, unless the primary goal is to provide a focus for humanistic inquiry; classroom projects; book development and publication; scholarly research projects, except when integrated into public humanities programming; fellowships; building or historical site construction, renovation, or preservation projects; museum or exhibit acquisitions

Allowable Expenses

• Honoraria, stipends, travel, per diem, and salaries for the project or project participants
• Professional services, such as rentals, graphic design, and professional printing
• Marketing materials, advertising, and duplication
• Supplies, program materials, and books
• Food, given that it is fundamental to the project and the cost is reasonable
• Other goods or services that clearly advance the project's goals during the award period

Unallowable: general operating and indirect costs; equipment purchases; building construction, restoration, or preservation; major museum acquisitions; lobbying; alcohol; expenses generated outside the grant award period; Kentucky Humanities programming (unless approved by KH)

Letter of Intent (LOI)

• LOIs for the 2026 grant cycle are due by September 30, 2026
• LOIs are reviewed by Kentucky Humanities staff. Applicants will be notified whether they are invited to submit a full application or informed that their project is not eligible

Application

• If invited to apply, full applications are due by October 31, 2026
• Grantee notification will occur in November 2026

Award Period

• Awarded projects must start on or after December 1, 2026, and should conclude by November 30, 2027
• Interim reporting is due 3-6 months after the award start date, depending on length of the project
• Final reporting is due 3 months after the award period end date

You will need a variety of materials to successfully submit an LOI or a full Application. The Application Checklist will help you make sure you've done all the preliminary work and will significantly speed up the application process. You may also find it helpful to preview the questions from the LOI and the Application.

Budgets should reflect expenses that are directly tied to the proposed project. The budget must also show how you will fulfill the 1:1 cost share. Please use the budget template below in your application for a KH grant. The sample budget will give you examples of common line item expenses and cost share sources.

Reach out to Zoe Kaylor