NEA Research Labs, FY2021 | 2020NEA01ORALABS

Opportunity Information: Apply for 2020NEA01ORALABS

The NEA Research Labs, FY2021 opportunity is a discretionary funding program from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) that supports transdisciplinary research teams using social and behavioral science approaches to produce empirical, actionable insights about the arts. The program is positioned within the NEA's broader five-year research agenda and is offered alongside a separate track called Research Grants in the Arts. While Research Grants in the Arts provides standard grants for studies on the value and impact of the arts, NEA Research Labs is specifically designed for team-based, cross-sector research efforts that can benefit both arts and non-arts fields, and it is funded through cooperative agreements rather than traditional grants.

A key feature of this opportunity is that awards are made as matching/cost share cooperative agreements, with a maximum (award ceiling) of $150,000. The cooperative agreement structure matters because it means the NEA expects to be substantially involved in the work: the agency does not just fund the project, but also plays an active role in shaping the direction and accomplishments of the research lab during the project period. In practical terms, applicants should be prepared for closer coordination with NEA staff than they would have under a typical grant.

The period of performance is generally up to two years, with an exception for projects that include primary data collection, which may request up to three years. NEA support for funded projects may begin on or after March 1, 2021. Projects lasting longer than one year must submit an annual progress report. For any work involving human subjects or related ethical considerations, the program emphasizes the need for updated human ethics training and Institutional Review Board (IRB) documentation as appropriate, particularly as the project progresses and annual reporting occurs.

Eligibility is broad and includes multiple categories of U.S.-based entities: state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). The applicable CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 45.024, and the funding instrument is explicitly identified as a cooperative agreement.

The application process uses a two-part submission structure and, due to COVID-19 impacts, the deadline was extended. Part 1 had to be submitted through Grants.gov by April 13, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Part 2 materials were submitted through the NEA Applicant Portal, with the window adjusted to open on April 16, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time and close on April 23, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicants needing assistance were directed to contact the NEA at nearesearchgrants@arts.gov. Finally, the notice clarifies a standard federal funding restriction: a grantee may not receive more than one NEA grant for the same project during the same period of performance.

• The National Endowment for the Arts in the arts sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NEA Research Labs, FY2021" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.024.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-01-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-04-13. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: 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.

Apply for 2020NEA01ORALABS

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