Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Oral History Interviewing Grant Program.
Donor Name: HumanitiesDC
State: District of Columbia
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/18/2026
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Washington, DC, is a vibrant city rich in history, full of curious minds asking bold questions and sharing powerful stories. These narratives help us navigate the complexities of the past, present, and future. Through history, literature, language, religion, philosophy, and ethics, the humanities guide us in learning from the experiences, empathizing with different perspectives, and challenging the assumptions. Through storytelling and research, the humanities are a compass for interpreting what humans make and exploring what makes us human. Since 1980, HumanitiesDC has been one of 56 state councils supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities, dedicated to making the humanities accessible to all. Through HumanitiesDC community grants and public programs, we celebrate, elevate, and connect the voices that bring the city to life.
Funding Information
$8,000 (plus an additional $5,000 may be requested to translate transcripts)
Grant Period
May 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027.
Allowable Expenses
- 100% of awarded grant funds must be applied to direct program costs related to collecting and archiving oral history interviews. This may include salary, consulting fees, honoraria/stipends, recording equipment/platforms, transcription services, space and equipment necessary to complete the project, and any other project or program-related expenses. Grantees will be allowed to update their budgets during the project period – including after the required oral history trainings – and more guidance will be provided.
- Unallowable expenses include an organization’s general operation expenses, food and beverages, tuition and scholarships, debt reduction, re-granting or sub-granting, costs related to fundraisers or lobbying, funding to foreign or domestic government agencies, and any other expenses unrelated to the direct execution of the project. Grantees will be required to document – through materials such as receipts, paid invoices, credit card or bank statements, payroll reports, and cancelled checks – all expenses paid with HumanitiesDC funds in their final reports.
Eligibility Criteria
- Individuals, community groups, and non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for this grant.
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a full-time resident of DC as demonstrated by a physical home address located in the District of Columbia
- Provide proof of the above two requirements through a current driver’s license, passport, or other documentation for proof of age and proof of residency (i.e., current utility bill or bank statement)
- Organizations applying for this grant must:
- Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is registered and authorized to do business in Washington, DC with a physical mailing address in the District. DC residents should comprise most of its constituents.
- The organization must be registered as either a “Domestic” entity (an entity that was incorporated in the District) or a “Foreign” entity (an entity that was incorporated in another state).
- The Organization must have its principal physical business office address located in the District of Columbia. Applicants shall not use Post Office boxes.
- Register and comply with the regulatory requirements of the following agencies:
- Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP)
- District of Columbia Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR)
- District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES)
- United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Agree that by signing the conditions document and accepting the funds, they will comply with: (a) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (which provides that grant recipients must take adequate steps to ensure that people with limited English proficiency receive the language assistance necessary to afford them meaningful access to grant-related programs, activities and services); (b) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin); (c) Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex); (d) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; (e) the Americans with Disabilities Act (which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disabilities); (f) the Age Discrimination Act of 1973 (which prohibits discrimination against those 40 years or older); (g) the Labor Standards under Sections 5i and 7g of the National Foundation of the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965; and (h) the regulations issued pursuant thereto by the National Endowment for the Humanities
- All applicants (organizations and individuals) applying for these grant opportunities must:
- Obtain a certification of “Citywide Clean Hands” from the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue.
- Not appear on the DC Government’s Excluded Parties List per the DC Office of Contracting and Procurement.
- Be able to provide proof of eligibility at any time during the grant period. Any awardees found ineligible after the award date must return all grant funds to HumanitiesDC.
For more information, visit Humanities DC.
