UpcomingNot Currently Accepting ApplicationsFederal

NEH Collections Stewardship.

NEH supports preservation, description, digitization, and public access for significant humanities collections.

Offered byNational Endowment for the Humanitiesverified 2026-07-10

Overview

What it does.

This current program can serve Chester-area museums, archives, libraries, historical organizations, and educational collections. It supports both physical and digital stewardship and can include consortium applications.

Best for: A museum, archive, library, or historical collection needing professional preservation and access work.

Eligibility

Who and what may qualify.

Eligible applicants

  • Eligible libraries, archives, museums, colleges, universities, and organizations providing preservation services or education

Applicants excluded by the source

  • Individuals and for-profit entities applying directly

Eligible uses

  • Collections assessments and plans
  • Conservation and rehousing
  • Cataloging and archival description
  • Digitization
  • Preservation education and training

Uses excluded by the source

  • Activities excluded by the 2026 notice
  • General building projects unrelated to eligible collections work

Application

How to start.

  1. Define the collection's humanities significance and public or scholarly use.
  2. Select eligible stewardship activities and qualified staff or consultants.
  3. Apply through Grants.gov after the application opens.

Timing: NEH anticipates making the December-round application available August 31, 2026.

Planning notes

Limits to account for.

  • The collection must be important for humanities research, teaching, or public engagement.
  • Applicants must follow activity-specific restrictions in the notice.

Can complement building preservation and private fundraising when costs do not overlap.

Evidence

Official sources.