Archaeological and Ethnographic Field Research | 20200930 RFW

Opportunity Information: Apply for 20200930 RFW

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), through its Division of Research Programs, offered the Archaeological and Ethnographic Field Research grant opportunity to support empirical, field-based research that addresses questions with clear significance to the humanities. The program is designed for projects that require on-the-ground investigation, whether in the United States or internationally, and it emphasizes research that can advance humanistic understanding through the careful collection and analysis of archaeological or ethnographic evidence. Although the grant focuses on enabling fieldwork itself, NEH also signals that funded projects are ultimately expected to share their findings broadly, most often through scholarly publications and other forms of public or academic dissemination.

In practical terms, the program is meant to cover the direct costs that make field research possible. Allowable support includes travel and lodging associated with field seasons, compensation for field staff, and expenses for field equipment and related supplies. The opportunity also recognizes that serious fieldwork often requires dedicated time from senior researchers, so it can provide salary replacement for the project director and collaborating scholars. This structure reflects the program's aim to remove logistical and financial barriers so that researchers can concentrate on rigorous data gathering and analysis in real-world settings.

The opportunity falls under the discretionary grant category and is classified as a humanities funding activity (noted as Cultural Affairs in CFDA terminology), with CFDA number 45.161. The maximum award amount listed was $150,000, and NEH anticipated making around 10 awards under this competition. The funding opportunity was created on July 21, 2020, with an original application deadline of September 30, 2020, under funding opportunity number 20200930 RFW.

Eligibility was broad and included many types of public and nonprofit entities that commonly sponsor or administer humanities research. Eligible applicants included state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in that particular nonprofit category). Overall, the program was structured to support institutions capable of managing field-based humanities research projects and ensuring that the resulting knowledge is documented and shared in meaningful ways.

• The National Endowment for the Humanities in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Archaeological and Ethnographic Field Research" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.161.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 21, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 30, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for 20200930 RFW

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