Opportunity Information: Apply for NEAPS1901
The NEA Research Labs, FY2020 grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number NEAPS1901) is a discretionary funding program from the National Endowment for the Arts that supports the creation or continuation of research "labs" that function as hubs or centers of excellence around a clearly defined arts-related research domain. Rather than funding a single stand-alone study, the NEA is looking for an organized, sustained research effort: each lab is expected to conduct at least one major study during the award period while also building a pipeline of additional projects or products that extend the lab's core agenda. In practice, this means applicants need to show they are not only capable of producing one strong piece of research, but also have the leadership, partnerships, data access, and infrastructure to keep generating useful research outputs over time.
A key feature of these labs is responsiveness. During the cooperative agreement period, each lab must be prepared to handle ad hoc analyses or information requests related to the research agenda, if the NEA requests them. These requests are explicitly limited to analyses that do not require new data collection, so applicants should plan around the ability to quickly analyze existing primary data they already have or can access, or secondary data sources that are already available. This signals that the NEA values labs that can serve as reliable analytical resources during the award window, not just teams that can complete a single pre-planned research task.
The NEA prioritizes applications that propose a coherent series of theory-driven studies designed to produce meaningful, defensible evidence about the impact of the arts within the chosen topic area. Strong proposals are expected to be grounded in existing research and to articulate a clear theoretical framework that motivates the research questions, study designs, and measures. The NEA emphasizes rigorous methodologies, including quasi-experimental and experimental approaches when appropriate, as well as analyses using primary and/or secondary data. At the same time, the solicitation leaves room for modern or emerging methods, explicitly welcoming approaches such as rigorous organizational or social network analysis, social media data analysis, and statistically driven meta-analyses. The agency also highlights interest in translational research, meaning work that takes scientific evidence and turns it into practical, standardized arts-related projects, models, tools, or techniques that can be adopted and used by other practitioners and researchers with relative ease.
In terms of award structure and timing, funding is provided through a Cooperative Agreement (not a standard grant), which typically implies more ongoing involvement from the federal agency in guiding or coordinating aspects of the work. The period of performance is flexible within limits: the award will begin no earlier than March 1, 2020, and must last at least 12 months but can extend up to 24 months. There is also an application restriction: an organization may submit only one proposal under this solicitation, so institutions with multiple internal teams interested in applying would need to coordinate and consolidate into a single submission.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of public and nonprofit entities: state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and 501(c)(3) nonprofits other than higher education institutions. The program sits within the Arts funding activity category and is listed under CFDA 45.024. The original application closing date was July 15, 2019. The listed award ceiling is $150,000, and the opportunity record indicates expected awards were not specified in the provided data.
Overall, this opportunity is aimed at organizations that can credibly operate as research anchors in a specific arts impact area: building a multi-project agenda grounded in prior evidence and theory, executing at least one substantial study with rigorous methods, producing outputs that can inform both research and practice, and remaining ready to deliver timely analyses using existing data when the NEA needs answers during the project period.Apply for NEAPS1901
- The National Endowment for the Arts in the arts sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NEA Research Labs, FY2020" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.024.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2019-05-29.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-07-15. (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.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, 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:
NEA Research Labs (FY2020) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NEA Research Labs, FY2020 opportunity?
The NEA Research Labs, FY2020 opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number NEAPS1901) is a discretionary funding program from the National Endowment for the Arts that supports the creation or continuation of research "labs" focused on a clearly defined arts-related research domain.
What does the NEA mean by a "research lab" in this program?
In this program, a research lab is expected to function as a hub or center of excellence around a specific arts-related research agenda. The NEA is not looking to fund a single stand-alone study; it is looking for an organized, sustained research effort that can continue producing useful outputs over time.
Is this funding intended for one research study or multiple projects?
The NEA expects each lab to conduct at least one major study during the award period and also to build a pipeline of additional projects or products that extend the lab's core agenda. Proposals should demonstrate the ability to sustain ongoing research rather than only completing one pre-planned study.
What are the core expectations for deliverables during the award period?
Based on the opportunity description, each funded lab is expected to (1) complete at least one major study during the award period, (2) develop a pipeline of additional research projects or products aligned with the lab's agenda, and (3) remain able to respond to NEA requests for ad hoc analyses or information related to that agenda using existing data.
What does "responsiveness" mean for NEA Research Labs?
Responsiveness means that during the cooperative agreement period, the lab must be prepared to handle ad hoc analyses or information requests related to the research agenda if the NEA requests them.
Will the NEA ask labs to collect new data for ad hoc requests?
No. The solicitation specifies that ad hoc requests are limited to analyses that do not require new data collection. Labs should plan to respond using existing primary data they already have or can access, or secondary data sources that are already available.
What kinds of research does the NEA prioritize in this program?
The NEA prioritizes applications proposing a coherent series of theory-driven studies designed to produce meaningful, defensible evidence about the impact of the arts within the chosen topic area. Strong proposals are expected to be grounded in existing research and to articulate a clear theoretical framework that motivates the research questions, study designs, and measures.
How important is a theoretical framework in the proposal?
The NEA emphasizes that proposals should be grounded in existing research and should clearly articulate a theoretical framework that motivates the research questions, study designs, and measures.
What research methods are encouraged or expected?
The opportunity emphasizes rigorous methodologies, including quasi-experimental and experimental approaches when appropriate, as well as analyses using primary and/or secondary data. It also welcomes modern or emerging methods such as rigorous organizational or social network analysis, social media data analysis, and statistically driven meta-analyses.
Does the opportunity support translational research?
Yes. The NEA highlights interest in translational research, described as work that takes scientific evidence and turns it into practical, standardized arts-related projects, models, tools, or techniques that can be adopted and used by other practitioners and researchers with relative ease.
What type of federal funding instrument is used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
Funding is provided through a Cooperative Agreement, not a standard grant. The description indicates this typically implies more ongoing involvement from the federal agency in guiding or coordinating aspects of the work.
When can the project start, and how long can it run?
The award will begin no earlier than March 1, 2020. The period of performance must last at least 12 months and can extend up to 24 months.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling for this opportunity is $150,000.
How many awards are expected?
The opportunity record indicates that expected awards were not specified in the provided data.
What is the application deadline for this opportunity?
The original application closing date listed is July 15, 2019.
Can an organization submit more than one proposal?
No. The solicitation includes an application restriction: an organization may submit only one proposal under this solicitation. Organizations with multiple internal teams interested in applying would need to coordinate and consolidate into a single submission.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: state governments; county governments; city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than higher education institutions).
What is the CFDA number and program category?
The program is listed under CFDA 45.024 and sits within the Arts funding activity category.
What kinds of organizational capabilities should an applicant demonstrate?
Applicants are expected to show they can do more than produce one strong research product. The NEA is looking for leadership, partnerships, data access, and infrastructure sufficient to support an ongoing research agenda and to generate useful research outputs over time, including timely analyses using existing data when requested.
What does it mean to build a "pipeline" of projects or products?
In this context, a pipeline means demonstrating that the lab will have additional projects or products beyond the major study, extending the lab's core agenda and supporting sustained research activity over time.
What is the overarching goal of the NEA Research Labs program?
The opportunity is aimed at organizations that can operate as research anchors in a specific arts impact area by building a multi-project agenda grounded in prior evidence and theory, executing at least one substantial study with rigorous methods, producing outputs that can inform research and practice, and remaining ready to deliver timely analyses using existing data during the project period.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Arts
Next opportunity: Indian Women Social Entrepreneurs Network
Previous opportunity: Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01 Clinical Trial Required)
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 NEAPS1901
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (NEAPS1901) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| NEA Creative Placemaking Technical Assistance, FY2020 Apply for NEAPS1902 Funding Number: NEAPS1902 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| NEA Research Grants in the Arts, FY2020 Apply for 2020NEA01ORA Funding Number: 2020NEA01ORA Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| NEA Sound Health Network, FY2020 Apply for NEAPS1903 Funding Number: NEAPS1903 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| NEA Literature Fellowships: Translation Projects, FY2021 Apply for 2020NEA03LFTP Funding Number: 2020NEA03LFTP Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| NEA Creative Forces: Clinical Component, FY2020 Apply for NEAPS1904 Funding Number: NEAPS1904 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $4,400,000 |
| U.S. Mission to Nigeria: Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Apply for AFCP 2020 S ABUJA Funding Number: AFCP 2020 S ABUJA Agency: U.S. Mission to Nigeria Category: Arts Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Ukraine: U.S. Embassy Book Translation Program Apply for PAS UKRAINE 2020 001 Funding Number: PAS UKRAINE 2020 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Ukraine Category: Arts Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NEA Literature Fellowships: Poetry, FY2021 Apply for 2020NEA03LFCW Funding Number: 2020NEA03LFCW Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| NEA Grants for Arts Projects 1, FY2021 Apply for 2020NEA01GAP1 Funding Number: 2020NEA01GAP1 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| NEA Research Labs, FY2021 Apply for 2020NEA01ORALABS Funding Number: 2020NEA01ORALABS Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Creative Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts Network (Community Arts Engagement Subgranting), FY2020 Apply for NEAPS2001 Funding Number: NEAPS2001 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| NEA Arts Education Partnership (AEP), FY2020 Apply for NEAPS2002 Funding Number: NEAPS2002 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $1,050,000 |
| NEA Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, FY2020 Apply for 2020NEA01CARES60 Funding Number: 2020NEA01CARES60 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| NEA Grants for Arts Projects 2, FY2021 Apply for 2020NEA01GAP2 Funding Number: 2020NEA01GAP2 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| NEA Our Town, FY2021 Apply for 2020NEA01OT Funding Number: 2020NEA01OT Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Promoting a Better Understanding of American Elections Apply for DOS LONDON PD 2020 0XX Funding Number: DOS LONDON PD 2020 0XX Agency: U.S. Mission to the United Kingdom Category: Arts Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| NEA Arts & Artifacts International Indemnity Program, FY2021 Apply for 2021FCAH01 Funding Number: 2021FCAH01 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| NEA Arts & Artifacts Domestic Indemnity Program, FY2021 Apply for 2021FCAHDOM01 Funding Number: 2021FCAHDOM01 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Historic Building Study for Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Apply for W9126G 20 2 SOI 4995 Funding Number: W9126G 20 2 SOI 4995 Agency: Fort Worth District Category: Arts Funding Amount: $64,000 |
| NEA Literature Fellowships: Translation Projects, FY2022 Apply for 2021NEA03LFTP Funding Number: 2021NEA03LFTP Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts Funding Amount: $25,000 |
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 "NEAPS1901", 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.