Grants
The HCH’s Grants Program provides funding for public programs that promote a better understanding and appreciation of the humanities among the general public in Hawai‘i. Each year the HCH awards more than $150,000 in grant funds to individuals as well as nonprofit organizations and public institutions throughout the state to support activities that apply the humanities—such as history, philosophy, ethics, religious studies, literary studies, art history, and anthropology—to our everyday lives.
HCH grants have helped a number of libraries, museums, colleges and universities, historical societies, and other nonprofit organizations sponsor public humanities programs that encourage the diffusion of knowledge beyond the academic setting and foster public involvement in civic dialogue. These grants support public programs developed for Hawai‘i audiences that not only encourage public exchange of ideas but also explore relevant topics including local history, literature, art, music, ethics, and cultural traditions.
The HCH offers six types of grants:
- Emerging Talent Grant (maximum award $5,000; limited to first-time applicants)
- Planning Grant (maximum award $2,000 for planning of a public humanities program; $2,500 for development of script for a film or documentary project)
- Preservation & Access Grant (maximum award $5,000)
- Publication Assistance Grant (maximum award $2,500)
- Research Assistance Grant (maximum award $2,500)
- Regular Grant (no set limit)
There are three grant deadlines each year: February 15; June 15; September 15. The HCH accepts applications for any of the grant types at each deadline. Applications must be postmarked or in the HCH office by the deadline date.
For the first time, HCH will offer an online application, beginning with the June 15, 2010 deadline. Paper applications will continue to be accepted; however, applicants are strongly encouraged to use the new online application.
Before applying for a grant, we strongly encourage you to discuss your project with HCH staff. Please be ready to describe your project, including how it connects to the humanities and how it will reach Hawai'i's people.
For more information, contact the Director of Grants and Special Projects, Kim Schauman, at (808) 732-5402, ext. 1 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
What you need to know about applying for an HCH grant:
- Individuals may apply for Emerging Talent, Research Assistance, and Publication Assistance grants. All other grants require a non-profit sponsor, the involvement of principal humanities scholar(s), and a project director/coordinator.
- Our Proposal Review Committee gives great priority to projects that clearly show deep and sustained involvement of humanities scholars in the development and execution of the project.
- Projects must reach and be of interest to the people of Hawai'i.
- You must be able to complete your proposed project within the grant period you apply for.
- Grant periods typically do not exceed one year.
