After a nearly year-and-a-half hiatus, Alabama Humanities is again offering Major Grants to support public humanities programming across the state.
“AHA’s Major Grants offer up to $15,000 for eligible projects that bring Alabamians together to explore what makes us human—our history, literature, languages, art, religion, philosophy and more,” the organization said in a news release.
Applications open August 10, with a final deadline of October 1.
AHA will offer another Major Grants round this winter, with applications due February 1, 2027. Both rounds are intended to help organizations plan public programming for 2027.
AHA strongly encourages potential applicants to:
- Closely review the organization’s new grant guidelines.
- Discuss their proposal with AHA’s grants director.
- Submit a draft application at least one month before the deadline to receive feedback.
What can the grants fund?
AHA’s Major Grants often support traveling exhibitions, oral history projects, lectures, public workshop series, conferences, symposiums, cultural and literary festivals, documentary films and other programs.
Competitive applications must include three essential elements: public participation, strong humanities content and the direct involvement of humanities scholars.
AHA grants often support community institutions such as libraries, museums, historic sites, arts centers, colleges and universities, literacy groups, cultural organizations and chambers of commerce.
Interested applicants can review AHA’s updated grant guidelines, which apply to both Major and Mini Grants.
Funding history
This is the first time in nearly a year and a half that AHA has offered Major Grant funding for Alabama communities.
AHA experienced a disruption in its federal funding in spring 2025 after cuts directed by the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency revoked money Congress had appropriated for AHA and other state humanities councils nationwide.
“We are grateful to the many, many individual and institutional donors who kept AHA going in the interim,” the organization said. “Your donations also helped us sustain our Mini Grants into 2026 to support America at 250-related projects, a vital effort for this milestone year in our shared history.”
Mini Grants remain available each month. The grants provide up to $2,500 for smaller projects, with applications due on the first day of each month.
More information about AHA grant programs is available at alabamahumanities.org/grants.
