Humanities Collaboration Grant Guidelines

Eligible Projects

Eligible projects should focus on the humanities and must demonstrate public value to Iowans through deliberate public engagement and access to project activities. Types of eligible projects could include community discussions, lecture series, workshops, films, interpretive exhibits, podcasts, etc. Projects that involve the creative or performing arts could be eligible as long as they are a catalyst in a project in which humanities are central, and include interpretation and/or discussion of performances, concerts, literary and art works. A competitive project will demonstrate fresh thinking and new ideas, as opposed to regular or ongoing programming.

Humanities must be central to the project. The humanities include the study and interpretation of what makes us human. Subject areas include archaeology, comparative religion, cultural anthropology, ethics, folklore, gender studies, history, jurisprudence, languages, law, linguistics, literature (including novels, poetry, drama, and other forms of written expression, both modern and classical), philosophy, and the interpretation (not the creation) of the arts. Aspects of the social sciences, such as political science and sociology, that can help us to explore our humanity and discover meaning in our lives and community are also included.

Some project examples:

Interpretive exhibits and catalogs
Digital projects like short or full length documentary films, radio shows, and podcasts
Pre-performance talks or post-performance facilitated discussions that presents the historical and social context of the artform being presented and its impact on today’s culture
Lecture/recital programs that look at the history of the artform and show examples of that artform
Workshops that incorporate the history and cultural influence of an artform with training in that artform
Talks given by culture bearers recognized for their knowledge of the history and cultural impact of a folk or traditional artform followed by a presentation
Living history portrayal of a historical figure ending in discussion with a scholar
Community-based projects that incorporate the humanities within community development efforts
Public forums or conferences
Lecture/discussion series; honoraria and travel for speakers and presenters
Book/film discussion programs about humanities-related topics

All project activities must have a clear beginning and end date within the eligible funding period.

Applicants may only apply for support of a yearly event or series if the applicant can demonstrate how the project is unique and worthy of support within the particular year of the funding period. Project content must change from year to year.

Humanities Expert

At least one humanities scholar/expert is required to participate in the project.

Eligible projects need to involve a humanities expert. They could be someone with an advanced degree in a humanities discipline or someone who is otherwise well-qualified to bring a humanities perspective to a project, such as a historian, library or museum professional, culture bearer, or individual who is an acknowledged cultural expert within their community. This person could be connected to the applicant or the partner organization collaborating on the project.

The humanities expert should be engaged with the project during the application process. Prior to submitting an application, the humanities expert and applicant should:

Discuss the project and formulate ways to strengthen the humanities aspects
Explore the involvement of additional experts who may offer diverse perspectives
Review the application to help clarify goals and methodology

During the grant project, humanities experts could:

Serve as a speaker, panelist, or lead a discussion
Offer ongoing advice and guidance
Review materials for authenticity and diversity of perspective
Assist with project evaluation

Collaboration Partners

Eligible projects must also involve working in partnership with another organization, institution of higher education, or preK-12 school on the development and implementation of project activities that are tied to a core theme and provide Iowans opportunities to deeply engage with the subject matter. Partners can be from the same town or county, or they can be more regionally or statewide based. It needs to be clear in the application that the partner will make meaningful contributions to the project activities and benefit from the project. They should not simply serve as a venue to host programming.

Ineligible Projects

Projects that fall outside of the identified types of eligible projects may not request funding through this grant program. Ineligible projects also include the following types of activities.

Capital projects
Collection maintenance or restoration
Construction or renovation of a property
Domestic travel dominant projects that primarily benefit the applicant
Fundraiser or benefit event
Lobbying activity
Non-humanities project
Ongoing projects or programming for which the identified beginning and end dates are arbitrary
Projects that involve domestic travel outside of Iowa must clearly demonstrate how the activities benefit Iowans and the humanities community in Iowa
Projects that result in an applicant’s course credit, degree or certification
Projects that involve research solely for scholarly purposes
Projects that are intended primarily for students, faculty members, or other on-campus or in-school audiences
Projects that occur prior to or after the funding period
Projects that have already received an Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs grant for any part or phase of the project
Religious activity
Performance-only programming
Art classes focusing only on creative technique

Eligible Grant Request Expenses

Humanities Collaboration Grants support project expenses that are essential to the completion of the proposed project. The grant request must be dedicated to eligible one-time, direct project expenses, legitimate parts of the proposed project, and must be incurred and expended within the eligible funding period. Expenses identified in the grant request should be based on competitive, current market pricing. Applicants that include ineligible expenses in the grant request will be considered ineligible.

Eligible grant request expenses include direct project costs such as:

Honoraria for humanities experts
Speaker fees
Contracted project personnel
Domestic Travel (e.g. mileage, accommodation, per diem)
Marketing (e.g. print material, ad buys, design fees)
Materials Necessary for Project
Personnel Time Dedicated to the Project* (e.g. planning, execution, evaluation time)
Rentals** (e.g. stages, lecture spaces, projectors/screens)
Food (only cover food costs tied to encouraging the participation of a particular audience or otherwise contribute to the program in some substantial way)

*Applicants must demonstrate how personnel time is specifically dedicated to the proposed project. Personnel benefits are not eligible.
**Using space owned by the applicant cannot be included as a rental expense.

Ineligible Grant Request Expenses

Expenses that fall outside of the identified eligible expenses for the project may not be included as part of the grant request. Applicants that include ineligible expenses in the grant request will be considered ineligible.

Ineligible grant request expenses include:

Lost revenue including providing scholarships or free admission to project events
Museum, school or library acquisitions
Activity that results in an applicant’s course credit, degree or certification
Budget shortfalls
Capital expenditures, including equipment over a total of $5,000 per unit
Collection maintenance or restoration expenses
Deficit or debt reduction, including loan, line-of-credit, or mortgage payments
Donations or contributions to other organizations
Expenses incurred prior to or after the funding period
Food, beverage, and alcohol
Foreign travel
Fundraising or benefit activity expenses
Lobbying activity
Ongoing or operating expenses, including utilities, rent/lease, office supplies, and personnel time that is not dedicated to the project
Personnel benefits
Prizes and awards
Property maintenance, restoration or renovation expenses
Unallowable expenses for federal awards as defined in 2 CFR 200 Subpart E - Cost Principles

Match Requirement

Applicants are required to demonstrate investment in a project by providing cash matching funds in an amount that is one half (50%) the total grant amount requested from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. For example, an applicant that requests $10,000 in grant funds must have at least $5,000 in cash match for a minimum project budget of $15,000.

The required cash match must be dedicated to one-time project expenses that are legitimate parts of the proposed project. Expenses identified in the match should be based on competitive, current market pricing. Applicants will be required to identify all anticipated cash match expenses and in-kind contributions beyond the grant request in the project budget as well as the anticipated revenue sources that will cover them. The cash match does not have to be secured at the time of application but must be secured and identified in the final report at the end of the funding period.

Cash match is actual cash contributed to direct project expenses by the applicant or other funding sources
In-kind match is donated goods or services contributed to the project by the applicant or other sources
Funding from the state government cannot be used to meet the match requirement
Funding from the federal government cannot be used to meet the match requirement

The following scoring rubric will be used to evaluate applications. Each section has criteria and corresponding point values to ensure a fair review process. The rubric is on a scale of 30 points. Application questions are for reference only. Applicants must review and complete application requirements in the SlideRoom portal.

Applicant Profile

Mission Statement
Enter applicant’s mission statement.

Applicant Profile
Describe the applicant organization and how they fulfill their mission and serves their target population, including:

description of programming and services
recent notable achievements that demonstrate the applicant’s ability to successfully implement the proposed project

APPLICANT PROFILE: 3 points possible

3 Applicant demonstrates exceptional programming or services that clearly advance its mission and serve its target population. Applicant demonstrates a strong record of progress through relevant notable achievements.
2 Applicant offers programming or services that support its mission and target population. Relevant notable achievements are identified.
1 Applicant’s programming or services are limited, unclear or do not support its mission or serve its target population. Relevant notable achievements are not identified.

Project Description

Describe the proposed project, including:

Why your organization or community is developing this project
Community needs or interest that will be addressed through this project
Humanities subject matter and ideas being explored and the importance to Iowa
If the project is an annual event or series, describe why this particular year is unique and worthy of funding

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 3 points possible

3 Project description is exemplary and clearly addresses a community need or interest. Subject matter and ideas being explored are strongly based in the humanities and are of high importance to Iowans.
2 Project description is stated and adequately addresses a community need or interest. Subject matter and ideas being explored are based in the humanities and are of importance to Iowans.
2 Project description is stated and adequately addresses a community need or interest. Subject matter and ideas being explored are based in the humanities and are of importance to Iowans.

Humanities Expert

Describe the humanities expert(s) that will be involved with the project, including:

name(s) and affiliation(s)
describe each experts’ particular background and research interests that qualify them as a resource for the project
briefly summarize their roles and responsibilities within the project and how they will be using their expertise

Upload the Resume/CV for humanities expert(s). If there is more than one, compile them into one file for the upload.

HUMANITIES EXPERT: 3 points possible

3 Humanities expert’s background clearly qualifies them as a resource for this project. Resume/CV is highly relevant, professional and clearly demonstrates a record of career progress through relevant notable achievements. Humanities expert roles and responsibilities are well-defined and enhance the project.
2 Humanities expert’s background qualifies them as a resource for this project. Resume/CV identifies relevant notable achievements. Humanities expert roles and responsibilities are defined.
1 Humanities expert’s background does not demonstrate satisfactory expertise to include them as a resource for this project. Resume/CV does not identify relevant notable achievements. Humanities expert roles and responsibilities are unclear or not identified.

Collaboration Partner

Describe the entity that will be partnering with the applicant organization on the project, including:

Name and overview of the organization and who from the organization will be involved in the project
Why the collaboration is important to the project
How the partner will be involved in planning and implementing the project
How the partner will benefit from the collaboration

Upload a one page letter of support for the project from the collaborating organization.

COLLABORATION PARTNER: 3 points possible

3 Collaboration partner is clearly identified. There is a specific plan describing how the partner will be involved with planning and implementing the project. The project activities will clearly benefit the collaboration partner.
2 Collaboration partner is identified. There is a general plan describing how the partner will be involved with planning and implementing the project. The project activities may benefit the collaboration partner.
1 Collaboration partner is not clearly defined. There is little to no plan on how the partner will be involved with planning and implementing the project. It is unclear if project activities will benefit the collaboration partner.

Public Value

Describe why proposed project is important to the public, including:

a definition of the target audience and its relevance to the project
plans to engage or market the project to the target audience
plans to provide equitable access to project activities

PUBLIC VALUE: 3 points possible

3 Confident project will successfully happen through a clear, detailed timeline of tasks. Project has clear methods in place to collect qualitative and quantitative data to analyze achievement of project goals.
2 Project is achievable through identified timeline of tasks. Project has appropriate methods in place to collect data on evaluation measures.
1 Multiple concerns about project achievability. Timeline of tasks is insufficient. Evaluation methods and measures are weak, inadequate or unclear.

Grant Request Expenses

Itemize the eligible expenses that will be funded by the grant request, including a description and the dollar amount for each. Round to the nearest dollar. Do not enter decimal signs or commas. Add a final “TOTAL” row at the bottom that identifies the total grant request.

Expense Description
Grant Request Amount ($)

Match Expenses

Detail any cash match expenses or in-kind contributions outside of the grant request that are dedicated to the project, including the total cash amount or in-kind value, the funding source, and whether the funding source has been secured for the expense. Round to the nearest dollar. Do not enter decimal signs or commas. Add a final “TOTAL” row at the bottom that identifies the total cash expenses and total value of in-kind contributions.

Expense Description
Cash Match ($)
In-Kind Value ($)
Funding Source
Secured (Yes/No)

Estimated Total Project Cost

Enter the total estimated cost of the project. This value should equal the sum of the grant request, cash match expenses and in-kind contributions. Round to the nearest dollar. Do not enter decimal signs or commas.

BUDGET: 3 points possible

3 Project budget and intended use of requested funds are clear and appropriate. Project demonstrates financial support by leveraging diverse sources of funding for cash match and in-kind expenses.
2 Project budget, intended use of requested funds and sources of funding for cash match and in-kind expenses are identified.
1 Project budget, intended use of requested funds or sources of funding for cash match and in-kind expenses are unclear or inadequate.

Support Material

Upload 2-5 media samples that help support the case for funding this project. Support material may include photos, videos, evaluation tools, marketing material, press clippings, lesson plans or speaker bios. A QR Code or list of web links is not acceptable.

SUPPORT MATERIAL: 3 points possible

3 Support material is highly relevant to the project, of high quality and clearly supports the project’s excellence.
2 Support material relates to the project and is of average quality.
1 Support material is not relevant to the project, is of poor quality or does not support the project’s excellence.

Overall Application

The following scoring criteria reference the quality of the proposal and application as a whole and not a particular question.

OVERALL IMPORTANCE: 3 points possible

3 Project provides Iowans a humanities service or experience that will have substantially impact.

2 Project provides Iowans a humanities service or experience that will have a reasonable impact.

1 Project does not provide Iowans a humanities service or experience that will have an adequate impact.

CASE FOR SUPPORT: 3 points possible

3 Case for support is exemplary and merits investment from the state.

2 Case for support is average.

1 Case for support is below average or does not merit state investment.

CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY DECEMBER 24 - 26

Humanities Collaboration Grant Guidelines