Opportunity Information: Apply for 20190814 TT
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) offered a discretionary grant opportunity called Short Documentaries (Funding Opportunity Number 20190814 TT) to support the production of documentary films of 30 minutes or less that bring humanities topics to the public in engaging, accessible ways. The core purpose of the program is public humanities: helping filmmakers and humanities organizations reach new or broader audiences by using short-form documentary storytelling to explore history, culture, literature, philosophy, ethics, and related fields. A central requirement is that each film be firmly grounded in humanities scholarship, meaning the content should be informed by credible research and interpretive perspectives from the humanities rather than purely journalistic, promotional, or entertainment-driven treatment.
The program is designed to fund either a single short documentary or a series of thematically connected shorts. Projects can focus on significant people, events, or ideas, as long as the humanities dimension is clear and thoughtfully developed. NEH also signals that these films are meant for public distribution and visibility, with potential pathways including regional or national broadcast, film festivals, and online release. In other words, the intent is not just to make a film, but to create a humanities-focused documentary that can realistically reach audiences through established public channels.
In terms of funding parameters, the award ceiling was set at $250,000, and NEH expected to make about 9 awards under this competition. The opportunity was categorized under the Humanities funding activity area (noted alongside Cultural Affairs in CFDA contexts) and listed under CFDA number 45.164. As a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant), it supports project-based work rather than procurement of services for the government.
Eligibility was broad and included multiple types of public and nonprofit entities. Eligible applicants included state, county, 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 nonprofit category). The opportunity was created on June 24, 2019, with an original application closing date of August 14, 2019, reflecting a defined submission window for that cycle.
Overall, this NEH program targets short, audience-friendly documentary work that translates strong humanities scholarship into compelling visual storytelling, with an emphasis on educational and cultural value and a plan for public-facing distribution beyond a limited local screening.Apply for 20190814 TT
- The National Endowment for the Humanities in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Short Documentaries" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.164.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 24, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 14, 2019. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 9 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA)
Next opportunity: Batty about Bats program; increase public education about bats, white nose syndrome, and the importance of bats to the environment.
Previous opportunity: Archaeological Resources Research on heavy traffic Trail Segments
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for 20190814 TT
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (20190814 TT) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Public Humanities Projects Apply for 20190814 BP BR GE GG GI Funding Number: 20190814 BP BR GE GG GI Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Journalism Summer School Apply for DOSRUS 19 CA 011 Funding Number: DOSRUS 19 CA 011 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Russia Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| American History and Civics Education: National Convenings Apply for 20190812 AH Funding Number: 20190812 AH Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $650,000 |
| Dialogues on the Experience of War Apply for 20191015 AV Funding Number: 20191015 AV Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Sugpiaq Significant Places, Oral Histories, and Qayak Building for Kenai Fjords National Park Apply for P19AS00464 Funding Number: P19AS00464 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| AHTNA Ethnographic Overview and Assessment Apply for P19AS00480 Funding Number: P19AS00480 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| Anza Expedition Film Apply for P19AS00513 Funding Number: P19AS00513 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $47,200 |
| Human Rights and Xinjiang Awareness Apply for BER NOFO FY19 003 Funding Number: BER NOFO FY19 003 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Germany Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Inventory and Assessment of NPS Alaska Archaeological Collections at the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology, Brown University Apply for P19AS00574 Funding Number: P19AS00574 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $560,530 |
| Utah Historic Irrigation Project Apply for BOR UC 19 N00 Funding Number: BOR UC 19 N00 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $401,000 |
| Scholarly Editions and Scholarly Translations Apply for 20191204 RQ Funding Number: 20191204 RQ Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $525,000 |
| The Earliest Americans National Historic Landmark Theme Study for Alaska Apply for P19AS00608 Funding Number: P19AS00608 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Collaborative Research Apply for 20191205 RZ Funding Number: 20191205 RZ Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Held in Trust: A National Convening on Conservation and Preservation Apply for 20191218 PB Funding Number: 20191218 PB Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Public Scholars Apply for 20200205 FZ Funding Number: 20200205 FZ Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions Apply for 20200115 PG Funding Number: 20200115 PG Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $15,000 |
| National Digital Newspaper Program Apply for 20200115 PJ Funding Number: 20200115 PJ Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $325,000 |
| Institutes for Advanced Topics in the Digital Humanities Apply for 20200305 HT Funding Number: 20200305 HT Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections Apply for 20200130 PF Funding Number: 20200130 PF Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Moscow Public Affairs Section FY 2020 Annual Program Statement (APS) Apply for DOSRUS20GR001 Funding Number: DOSRUS20GR001 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Russia Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $75,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "20190814 TT", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.