2025NEA01CA: NEA Challenge America, FY 2026
Closed
This grant is closed. Who won this program's grants before is below, and similar open grants are at the end of the page. It is in our archive of National Endowment for the Arts notices from 2024.
National Endowment for the Arts offered grants of up to $10,000 (at least $10,000) to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments and tribes. It expected to make about 280 awards worth $2.8 million in total. Applications closed on February 6, 2025.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed February 6, 2025. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$10,000
- Award floor$10,000
- Total funding$2.8 million
- Expected awards280
- Cost sharingRequired
- Funding typeGrant
Other notices with this title
| Notice | Posted | Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024NEA01CA | December 6, 2023 | Closed April 30, 2024 | Closed |
| 2023NEA01CA | December 7, 2022 | Closed April 27, 2023 | Closed |
| 2022NEA01CA | December 6, 2021 | Closed April 21, 2022 | Closed |
| 2021NEA01CA | February 12, 2021 | Closed April 22, 2021 | Closed |
Key dates
| Posted | December 12, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | February 6, 2025 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments and tribes.
All 9 applicant types the notice lists
- 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
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past Promotion of the Arts Grants to Organizations and Individuals awards averaged $37,880; this notice allows up to $10,000 per award.
- Most of the program's money (90% over five years) went to nonprofits.
- The notice requires cost sharing or matching funds, so you must contribute part of the project cost.
What the grant funds
Challenge America supports projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved groups/communities. The program welcomes applications from applicants that are primarily small organizations, first-time applicants to the NEA, and/or returning Challenge America applicants. Eligible applicants include: nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), U.S. organizations; units of state or local government; Federally recognized tribal communities or tribes; and applicants that have not been recommended for funding in any of the three most recent Fiscal Years in the NEA’s Grants for Arts Projects, Our Town, or Research Awards grant programs. Funding in this category is not available for individuals, fiscally sponsored entities, commercial/for-profit enterprises, State Arts Agencies (SAA), or Regional Arts Organizations (RAO).
Who has won Promotion of the Arts Grants to Organizations and Individuals grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Promotion of the Arts Grants to Organizations and Individuals (45.024) awarded $465 million across 12,278 grant awards, an average of $37,880 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. | Maryland | 5 | $22.9 million |
| Arts Midwest, Incorporated | Minnesota | 9 | $13.8 million |
| Mid-America Arts Alliance | Missouri | 6 | $8.1 million |
| South Arts, Inc. | Georgia | 1 | $7.7 million |
| Education Commission of the States | Colorado | 6 | $4.8 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Agencies often post the same opportunity again under a new number, so check the program's notices on Grants.gov and the similar open grants below.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is 2025NEA01CA still open?
No. It closed on February 6, 2025.
Who can apply for NEA Challenge America, FY 2026?
National Endowment for the Arts accepted applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments and tribes.
What is the deadline for NEA Challenge America, FY 2026?
Closed February 6, 2025. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $10,000 each. About $2.8 million in total across about 280 awards.
Who has won Promotion of the Arts Grants to Organizations and Individuals grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Arts Midwest, Incorporated, Mid-America Arts Alliance. The program made 12,278 awards worth $465 million in that time.
Similar open grants
- Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants (2027)
- Native American Library Services Basic Grant (2027)
- NEA Arts and Artifacts Domestic Indemnity Program 1, FY2027 (12/26)
- NEA Arts and Artifacts International Indemnity Program 2, FY2027 (3/27)
- NEA Arts and Artifacts Domestic Indemnity Program 2, FY2027 (6/27)
- Annual Program Statement for U.S. Presentation at International Art Biennales