Request for Event Proposals
In partnership with humanists and humanities organizations across the country, the National Humanities Center will stage Being Human (US) from April 18 to May 2, 2026. Featuring a range of public humanities events, this initiative will support the development of programming for diverse, non-academic audiences across geographic regions and subject areas.
The Center is currently entertaining proposals from prospective partners looking to stage an event as part of the festival. Successful proposals will receive grants from the National Humanities Center to help defray costs for their events, which must be grounded in research methods but designed to engage the general public. Academic lectures and symposia will not be eligible for inclusion in the festival. Walking tours, opportunities to learn a craft, historical re-enactments, communal storytelling ventures, performances, interactive exhibits, and other creative, educational options are encouraged.
Theme for 2026
Our festival theme in 2026 is “Between the Lines”—a space of hidden histories, shifting borders, and unspoken meanings. From migration routes that redraw the map to the traces of erased histories, from the margins of a poem to the frontlines of protest, we invite researchers and practitioners to explore boundaries, crossings, and intersections—and the spaces in between, where meaning is made and remade. We encourage all applicants to use this theme as an open-ended tool for brainstorming and planning.
Your proposal might uncover meanings that emerge between the lines of a novel, poem, or play, or explore the art of translation and interpretation. In history, it may reveal what has been omitted from dominant narratives, shedding light on the invisible figures who shaped the past. In philosophy, it may consider communication, perception, and the limits of expression.
“Between the Lines” also speaks to physical and metaphorical boundaries. It might take us to migration routes traced across continents, to national borders redrawn, or to the shifting shorelines of climate change. It invites us to think about the rules and markings that shape public life—from the lines on a sports field to the tracks we carve through city streets. It might explore how protestors reclaim public spaces, how maps include and exclude, or how music, dance, and performance create meaning beyond words. At its heart, this theme asks us to see what is hidden in plain sight—to listen to unheard voices and to question the spaces in between.
We invite researchers and humanities practitioners to explore the ideas, movements, and histories that emerge “Between the Lines” at this year’s Being Human Festival. Applicants may be drawn from institutional contexts including, but not limited to, the following:
- Universities and affiliated centers
- Cultural and community organizations
- Museums, libraries, and archives
- Arts institutions
- Public humanities organizations
Proposals from independent scholars are also welcome, provided that the planned initiative engages community collaborators and audiences in a meaningful way.
The National Humanities Center will review proposals and award grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 to successful applicants. Due to the modest nature of these awards, our financial support is intended to cover concrete costs associated with the execution of Being Human events. We are not able to cover indirect costs or overhead expenses at this time.
Please use the application form below to submit your proposal for a Being Human Festival event. All applications must be received by November 17, 2025 at 5:00 pm Eastern.
Questions? Please check out our frequently asked questions or email NHC Vice President for Public Engagement Jacqueline Kellish.
Submit Your Proposal
Frequently Asked Questions
This is an exciting opportunity, but I am unable to apply this year. May I pass this along to others in my network?
Yes! If you know of individuals or institutions doing exciting work in the public humanities who might be interested in staging an event as part of the festival, we encourage you to share this opportunity with them.
How much funding will I likely receive if my application is successful?
Award amounts will be determined at the discretion of the National Humanities Center and an independent review committee. Awards will range from $500 to $5,000. Note that larger awards will be allocated for projects that demonstrate a clear justification for event costs and a significant, educational impact on their community. We strongly encourage applicants to seek additional sources of funding to offset overall costs.
When will I be notified about the result of my application?
All selection decisions will be announced in December 2025.
Have there been other similar festivals in other locations?
Yes. Most notably, the UK’s Being Human Festival, organized by the School of Advanced Study at the University of London, has been running since 2014. Their website provides more information about public humanities events that have been staged all over the UK as part of this initiative.