1. Table of contents
List all parts of the application with corresponding page numbers. 2. Narrative
The narrative portion of the proposal should not be more than twenty single-spaced pages, with one-inch margins. You should use at least eleven-point type.
The narrative should contain the following, in this order.

A. Nature of the request:
State in one or two paragraphs the subject and format of the project, the amount of money requested from NEH, the anticipated total budget for the production of the project, and whether you are applying for a Development grant or a Production grant. In addition, briefly describe any multiform at components to be developed.

If support is requested for one program in a radio or television series, indicate the number and length of programs planned for the series. Also indicate where the proposed program fits into the overall series and the total projected cost to produce the series.

B. Program synopsis:
In less than one page, describe how the program would unfold from beginning to end. You should describe the program in more detail in the “Treatment or design document” section of the application. See the instructions for item 3 of the application below.

C. Humanities content:
Identify the humanities ideas, themes, and questions that the project will address. Explain the subject’s significance to the humanities and discuss the humanities scholarship that informs the project. (In the Frequently Asked Questions document, which is available on the program resource page, see the question about humanities themes.)

D. Project format:
Describe the program’s audio-visual style and approach. For example, will the program tell a story from a particular perspective? Will it use re-creations, dramatizations, animation, or other techniques?

In explaining the program’s approach, briefly describe the most important resources available for the project, including interviews, archival materials, and other audio and visual materials. (You will be able to provide a detailed list of materials at the end of the narrative.) If applicable, also describe dramatizations and/or animation techniques that the project would incorporate. You should provide a more detailed list of resources later in the proposal narrative. (See section N of the instructions for the narrative below.)

If there are other digital projects or productions on similar or related subjects, explain how the proposed project will make a new contribution.

If you are applying to repurpose content that has already been released, discuss the rationale for the project, describe the value to be added to this content for audiences, and explain how new audiences would be reached.

Applicants may provide visuals in the “Images” attachment below. E. Audience and distribution:
Describe the expected audience and present a distribution plan for reaching this audience. If applicable, discuss partnerships that would help publicize the project.

F. Project evaluation:
NEH requires a final report that assesses how well the finished project met its goals to educate and engage the public. Information on the project’s reach (size of audience) and impact must be included in this final report. NEH particularly wants to know how fully the project met its stated learning goals and how audiences were more deeply engaged in thinking about humanities ideas and questions as a result of the project.

Explain fully how you will evaluate the reach and impact of your project upon completion. Your evaluation plan should be integrated into your project narrative, work plan, and budget.

G. Rights and permissions:
Indicate who controls the rights to the materials to be used. Discuss the potential for obtaining permissions to use materials and the likely costs of obtaining permissions and clearing the rights.

H. Humanities advisers:
List the humanities advisers and briefly discuss the rationale for their choice and the specific contributions that each adviser will make to the creation of the project’s content. The application’s work plan and budget should specify the advisers’ contributions to the project. Include résumés (of two pages or less) for each person listed and letters of commitment from all in a separate attachment (see the instructions for item 8 of the application below).

I. Media team:
Provide information about the principal members of the media team. In a paragraph, summarize each person’s qualifications and contributions to the project. Discuss the media team’s experience and suitability for the proposed project. Include résumés (of two pages or less) for each person listed and letters of commitment from all in a separate attachment (see the instructions for item 8 of the application below). J. Progress:
Discuss the work that has been accomplished to date on the project. Indicate the remaining work that will be done during the NEH grant period. If the request is for a program in a broadcast series, indicate how much of the work on the entire series has been completed and what remains to be done.

K. Work plan:
Provide a detailed, month-by-month schedule of the major work to be done during the grant period, the amount of time it will require, and the specific people involved. Be especially clear about when the meetings of the media team with the scholars and other consultants will occur and how these activities will advance the project.

L. Fundraising plan:
Specify the source and amount of all funds raised to date for all aspects of the program and related projects. Include information about any previous NEH grants, as well as support for this project received from state humanities councils, foundations, individuals, and other sources. Estimate the project’s total cost, and discuss specific plans for raising funds from outside sources to cover the costs that will exceed NEH support. Discuss plans for the sale of rights for distribution.

M. Organization profile:
Describe briefly the applicant institution and, if different, the production organization. Provide information about each organization’s aims, origin, special characteristics, current activities, and experience with humanities programs. Each profile should be only one paragraph.

N. List of collections of materials to be used by the project

O. Preliminary interviews
If you have conducted preliminary interviews, include a list of those who have been interviewed.

3. Script, detailed treatment, or design document
For digital media components such as websites, mobile media applications, or games, include a design document that describes how humanities content will be presented. The design document should describe the project’s architecture, its navigation, and its overall look and feel. Explain how the project uses interactivity to analyze and interpret content.

For films and television programs, a script is required. For radio programs, a detailed treatment is required. The script or treatment should not exceed thirty pages per hour of the proposed program. It should describe how the program will unfold, from start to finish. The script or treatment should demonstrate how the story line or narrative of the program combines the principal materials available for the program and integrates the analysis and interpretive content. If you are requesting support for all or part of a series, include at least one complete script and shorter descriptions of all remaining episodes.

You may use published humanities scholarship, archival resources, and preliminary interviews that you have conducted as the foundation for your script or detailed treatment.

If you are proposing a project that examines contemporary culture and issues, the script should clearly identify the footage that you have already shot, the preliminary interviews that you have already conducted, and the scholarly research that would serve as the foundation for your program.

4. Prototype for digital media (if applicable) For digital media projects, a prototype must also be included as proof of concept and as an indicator of the project’s potential success. The prototype (screen captures, sketches, or a working version of the project) should demonstrate how a typical user would navigate and experience the humanities content. Submit the prototype as an attachment, using a URL, or on DVD. If the prototype is on DVD, submit eight copies. Prototypes will not be retained by NEH; nor will they be returned to the applicant. Follow the instructions in the “How to Submit Samples and Prototypes” section below. Create an attachment section describing the prototype and indicate the roles played by members of the current media team.

5. Images (if applicable)
You may include images with your application. You should group these images in a single attachment. Include in this attachment a list of images.

6. User-generated content (if applicable)
If the project includes user-generated content (UGC), explain the criteria and process to be used for selecting and monitoring the content that will ultimately be made available to the public. If the project includes UGC, you should also describe how the project will handle obscene, libelous, indecent, or defamatory content (including hate speech, personal attacks, or material constituting harassment). 7. Bibliography
Include a short bibliography of the humanities scholarship that significantly informs the project.

8. Résumés and letters of commitment
Include résumés (of two pages or less) for and letters of commitment from the key persons on the media team and all consultants (including humanities advisers or scholars). Also include letters of commitment from all participating organizations. 9. Description of a sample
All applicants must submit a work sample by the project team that best represents the audio and/or visual approach and format of the project under review. The work sample should also demonstrate the experience and qualifications of the media team to produce the proposed project successfully.

If a pilot program from a proposed series exists, it must be submitted as the sample.
If funding is requested for additional support of a series that has received previous production support from NEH, a complete program must be submitted as the sample.
Submit the sample on a single DVD (standard definition) or single CD, or through an embedded URL. If a sample is on DVD or CD, submit eight copies. Samples may include a completed program, a reel of clips, and/or a work in progress, but all must be contained on a single DVD or CD. Samples will not be retained by NEH; nor will they be returned to the applicant. See the additional instructions in the “How to Submit Samples and Prototypes” section below.

Create an attachment section describing the sample and indicate the roles played by members of the media team.

10. Budget
Using the instructions and the sample budget, complete the budget form (MS Excel format) or a format of your own that includes all the required information. (You can find links to the budget instructions, sample budget, and budget form on the program resource page.) Submit your budget in a font of at least eleven points. If you wish, you may include separate pages with notes to explain any of the budget items in more detail. You should retain a copy of your budget form. Please attach a copy of your institution’s current federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement to the budget form.

* Compensation
Please identify all key project personnel by name on the budget form, and note the number of days that each of them will contribute to the project. Indicate in the budget if any of these individuals will perform different and separately budgeted functions.
Compensation for key project positions, such as the project director, producer, director, and scriptwriter, will be considered as fixed fees for service, even though the amount of compensation requested is calculated on the basis of the projected length of the project.

* Department of Labor regulations
U.S. Department of Labor regulations require that all professional performers, scriptwriters, and related or supporting professional personnel employed on projects or productions supported in whole or in part by NEH be paid not less than the minimum union or guild rates.

A copy of the applicable regulations, “Labor Standards on Projects or Productions Assisted by Grants from the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities,” may be accessed online or obtained from NEH’s Office of Grant Management, Room 311, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20506 (202-6068494).

o Equipment
Normally, NEH does not allow the purchase of equipment, but applicants may use their own equipment and include charges for this use, subject to the following: * for equipment and facilities that are not fully depreciated, determine actual costs on the basis of the acquisition costs, divided by the useful life, times the period of use on the project; and * for equipment and facilities that have been fully depreciated, charges to operate the asset, including the cost of maintenance, insurance, and other related expenses, are allowable.

ATTACHMENT 3: Script, treatment or design document (name the file “script.pdf.”)

ATTACHMENT 4: Prototype, if applicable (name the file “prototype.pdf”)

ATTACHMENT 5: Images, if applicable (name the file “images.pdf”)

ATTACHMENT 6: User-generated content, if applicable (name the file
“usergeneratedcontent.pdf”)

ATTACHMENT 7: Bibliography (name the file “bibliography.pdf”)

ATTACHMENT 8: Résumés and letters of commitment (name the file
“resumesandlettersofcommitment.pdf”)

ATTACHMENT9: Description of your sample (name the file “sample.pdf”)

ATTACHMENT 10: Budget and copy of your institution’s current federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (name the file “budget.pdf”)