National Endowment for the Arts Big Read

The NEA Big Read welcomes applications from a variety of organizations, including first-time applicants; organizations serving communities of all sizes, including rural and urban areas; and organizations with small, medium or large operating budgets.

Who should apply?

• 501c3 non-profit organizations and other federally tax-exempt entities including, but not limited to: universities/colleges, school districts, public libraries, tribal organizations, museums, and community service organizations.
• Organizations located within the United States, US Territories, and the Native Nations that share this geography.
• Arts and cultural organizations in any arts discipline (literature, performing arts, visual arts, traditional arts, multidisciplinary arts, etc.) or nonprofit organizations that provide arts programming (social service agencies, etc.)
• Organizations that do not have overdue reports or funding moratoria with Arts Midwest.
• Organizations with or without a UEI number from SAM.gov, though applicants will need to have a UEI number on file by late April 2025 in order to receive grant funds. Apply for a free UEI at sam.gov.
• Can comply with Federal eligibility requirements.

The following kinds of organizations are not eligible to apply:

• Individual elementary or secondary schools
• For-profit business or organizations
• Individual artists, ensembles, and artist’s agents
• Applicants using fiscal sponsorship

This round of NEA Big Read grants is for activities taking place between September 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Grants are federal funds that derive from the National Endowment for the Arts (Assistance Listing No. 45.024: Promotion of the Arts Awards to Organizations and Individuals).

Each NEA Big Read project must meet these requirements:

1.     Feature a book from this year’s NEA Big Read library.

There are 24 books on this year’s list. You must select one of these titles for your programming.  

In your application, you will be asked to describe why you chose the book, how the book and the theme resonate with your community, and how the book and the theme will be included or reflected in community activities. 

The NEA Big Read is an initiative intended for adult audiences. Applicants who wish to extend the reach of its programming to local schools and other youth audiences must choose a title on the Big Read list that is age-appropriate for those audiences, or conduct programming around additional companion titles intended for those audiences that align with the selected NEA Big Read title and fits with the theme (e.g., a young adult novel or picture book). 

If you are a returning grantee, we encourage you to choose a title on the NEA Big Read list that you have not programmed in the past through the NEA Big Read. 

2. Engage with community partners.

Each grantee must work in collaboration with local partners and artists to develop, conduct, and promote engaging literary and artistic programs that illuminate the book and theme.

These partners are required:

• A library, unless the applicant itself is a library. Higher education applicants must partner with a library that is not directly affiliated with their institution.
• At least one community organization or group that expands the applicant’s existing audience to include new participants of various abilities, cultural backgrounds, education levels, and occupations.

Each applicant will be asked to describe its intended partners and the role each partner will play and whether these partnerships are confirmed or pending. Examples of community organization partnerships include: YMCAs, schools, parent/teacher associations, parks and recreation departments, places of worship, unions, Kiwanis, Lions Clubs, local historical societies, etc.  

3. Offer events and activities related to the theme and chosen book. We encourage you to be imaginative with your programming.

We encourage you to be imaginative with your programming. At a minimum, applicants must include the following in their plan:

• One (1) public kick-off event to launch the program (e.g., a book giveaway, mayoral proclamation, etc).
• One (1) public event that celebrates and honors America’s rich artistic and cultural heritage to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
• At least three (3) book discussions.
• At least one (1) presentation inspired by the book (e.g., a Q&A with the author, panel discussion, lecture, film screening).
• At least one (1) artistic project or activity that engages the community and/or responds creatively to the theme and, if applicable, your chosen book (e.g., a visual art exhibition, theatrical performance, concert, poetry slam).

Several of these requirements can be met in one event (e.g., a presentation inspired by the book could include a book discussion; the public kick-off event could celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence). Events and activities may take place virtually and/or in-person, and must be conceived with accessibility in mind for participants of all abilities and strive to reach audiences with limited access to the arts. 

Applicants will be asked to describe their target audiences, plans for reaching underserved audiences, and plans for promoting their programming throughout their community. 

4. Provide a budget for the project that includes eligible expenses and demonstrates a plan for providing a one-to-one match for the grant.

Organizations may request a grant ranging from $5,000 and $20,000. These grants are federal funds that derive from the National Endowment for the Arts. Project budgets must show at least a one-to-one cost-share, or match, for the requested amount.  

Cost-share Requirement

Organizations will be required to demonstrate matching funds (aka cost share) on a 1:1 basis for the grant amount. To demonstrate the cost share in your budget, you must include expenses that are at least double your grant request and equal to your revenue plus your grant request.  

For example, if you request a $10,000 NEA Big Read grant, your total project budget must be at least $20,000. You will be required to list the sources and amounts you are using for the match. Federal funds cannot be used as matching funds. 

Potential sources for the match:

• Salaries and wages not covered by this grant
• In-kind contributions
• Volunteer hours
• Earned and contributed revenue (e.g., donations, ticket sales, other non-Federal grants)
• Cash

Eligible expenses:

Project budgets must also include only eligible expenses. Eligible expenses are those that directly relate to conducting your community-wide program.

Examples of eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Speaker and artist fees
• Book purchases
• Supply costs
• Promotional fees
• Project staff salaries
• Venue rentals
• Other expenses directly related and necessary to conducting your program

Ineligible expenses

Please do not include unallowable costs in your budget. Unallowable costs include, but are not limited to:

• Refreshments, concessions, food, and alcohol
• Fellowships or cash prizes
• Payment for facilities, purchase of capital equipment, or non-project related administrative expenses
• Overlapping project costs between federal awards, whether received directly from a federal agency or indirectly, such as through a state agency or other entity
• Entertainment costs, such as opening parties, receptions, or fundraisers designed to raise funds for your own organization and on behalf of another person, organization, or cause
• Programs restricted to any organization’s membership; programs must be promoted and available to the general public

Awards are federally funded, so all costs must be allowable per 2 CFR 200. For questions about other potential expenses, contact Arts Midwest.

For all grant applications, we use an online platform called SmartSimple. Applicants will need to register if they are new to using the system. 

 The application involves a two-part process: applicants will submit an intent to apply first and then a full application. To submit your intent to apply, visit the “Grants for Organizations” link at the top of the page, click the “Begin a new application” tile, then the “Apply Now” button for this opportunity. 

Step 1: Intent to apply (Due January 15, 2026 at 11:59p.m. Central time)

Applicants will submit the following required information:

• Applicant organization details (EIN, UEI number from SAM.gov if available, publicity name, annual operating budget, mission statement, organization location information)
• Two-sentence project summary (100 words)
• Paragraph description of the project (250 words)
• Have you received a grant from Arts Midwest before? (yes/no)
• Project start and end dates (must be between 9/1/2026 – 6/30/2027)
• Chosen NEA Big Read book
• Approximately how many books you intend to order for your programming
• Provide a rationale for your chosen NEA Big Read book and your plans for using the theme in your programming. (400 words)
• Grant request amount

Step 2: Full application (Due January 29, 2026 at 11:59p.m. Central time)

Applicants will provide a project budget and their anticipated number of partners, book discussions, events, and individuals served. Applicants will also answer the following narrative prompts: 

• Describe your organization’s history and achievements. (400 words)
• Provide a description of your programming. (700 words)
  • Describe your programming plans in detail, including types of activities and locations, and the involvement of local talent (e.g., writers, artists from other disciplines, teachers, field experts) and art works (e.g., companion books, films, visual art, etc.). Be sure that your plans meet the minimum project requirements.
  • Explain how your programs meet your goals and the goals of the NEA Big Read: to inspire meaningful conversations, celebrate local creativity, elevate a variety of voices and perspectives, and build stronger connections in each community. Explain how you plan to assess those goals to determine if they are met.
• Provide a description of project partners. (500 words)
  • Describe your partnerships with libraries (as applicable) and community organizations. Indicate if these are new partnerships or describe your history of working with these partners.
  • Explain the role each partner will play in your program.
• Provide a description of community outreach. (500 words)
  • Describe the community you plan to reach with your programming and explain how you will engage individuals of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
  • Describe how you will make your proposed activities accessible to people with disabilities.

View sample applications for programming ideas and information about the application process.

Applications are reviewed by an independent advisory panel composed of literary arts experts and other individuals with broad knowledge of community programs. Panel composition changes annually. 

A panel uses the following four criteria to review applications. Geographic spread of final awards will also be considered.

• Artistic excellence and merit of programming. The panel will assess:
  • The rationale for choosing the NEA Big Read book.
  • The plan for imaginative literary programs that highlight the book and theme and meet all programming requirements.
  • The involvement of additional works of arts (e.g., companion books, films, etc.) and/or individuals (e.g., local authors and artists, teachers, workshop leaders, field experts, etc.) and their relevance to your audience(s).

• Depth of audience engagement. The panel will assess:
  • The clarity of the applicant’s plan to engage a range of audiences in your programming and your plans to make events accessible to people with disabilities. 
  • The applicant’s efforts to foster new and/or strengthen existing partnerships. 
  • The variety of locations where programs will occur.

• Resource management. The panel will assess:
  • The applicant’s and partners’ capacity to produce all programming components.
  • A reasonable budget that demonstrates a plan for the required 1-to-1 match and shows direct compensation to local artists involved in the project.

• Overall plan for success. The panel will assess:
  • The applicant’s clearly stated goals for the project and how its partnerships and programming activities support those goals. At a minimum, the goals should align with the goals of the NEA Big Read: to inspire meaningful conversations, celebrate local creativity, elevate a variety of voices and perspectives, and build stronger connections in each community. 
  • The applicant’s plan for evaluating if and how the stated goals are met. 

• January 15, 2026: Intent to Apply Due
• January 29, 2026: Full Application Due
• March 2026: Panel Review
• April 2026: All applicants will receive and email notification of award decisions
• June 2026: Awardees announced; new grantees will participate in an online orientation
• September 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027: Programming dates

Any changes or updates to planned activities should be communicated to Arts Midwest staff as early as possible. All dates are subject to change. 

Grantees will be required to submit a preliminary activity listing 30 days before the project starts and a final report 30 days after the project is completed. The final report consists of a final listing of events, quantitative data on participating audiences and artists, a qualitative narrative, and a final budget. 

Check out the Arts Midwest website for informational and how-to videos.  

If you have additional questions, we invite you to schedule a one-on-one consultation call with an Arts Midwest staff member.  

You may schedule a consultation call here.  

You can also always email Arts Midwest anytime with your questions at [email protected]  

Here is a list of helpful resources for planning and conducting your NEA Big Read.

• NEA Big Read on arts.gov – Find content about the NEA Big Read books and authors.
• Ideas Hub Series for NEA Big Read Grantees  – Find articles on best practices for grant applications, ideas for NEA Big Read programming, and other helpful tips and tricks.
• View sample applications for programming ideas and information about the application process.

Accessibility Resources

• Section 504 Self-Evaluation Workbook
• Arts Midwest’s Accessibility Center

Crediting and Visibility

• NEA Big Read Credit Line – This PDF contains the crediting language you must use in all of your print and electronic media.
• Downloadable logos for crediting.
• Images and Video Permission and Usage Form

Other Resources

• Bulk book orders – Need a place to start for buying bundles of books? This doc contains information for a few different options.

Arts Midwest works to ensure that grant guidelines, presentations, and any other written materials are created with accessibility and disability experiences in mind. Staff are happy to work with applicants on alternative formats, including but not limited to using an adapted form in Microsoft Word or taking verbal responses.  

Please complete this form so we can help make a grant or program accessible to you. We may not be able to accommodate requests made after January 8, 2026. 

Visit our Accessibility Policy for more information on our commitment to accessibility. 

For any questions, please email [email protected] or call 612.238.8024.