National Endowment for the Arts Supporting Statement 2025 Final

National Endowment for the Arts Supporting Statement
Blanket Justification for NEA Funding Application Guidelines and Requirements
JUSTIFICATION
1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection.
Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or
authorizing the collection of information.
The Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts (“NEA”) is authorized to carry out a
program of grants-in-aid by the agency’s enabling legislation (20 U.S.C. §954). With the
recommendations of advisory panelists and members of the National Council on the Arts,
the NEA Chair establishes eligibility requirements and criteria for the review of
applications. Applications for funding are accepted at different deadlines throughout the
year for a variety of arts projects from nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.
The NEA also accepts nominations from the public to honor achievement in the arts
(honorifics).
The NEA has limited federal funds and cannot fund all of the eligible requests that it
receives. Competitive review of applications for financial assistance is performed by
advisory panelists and the National Council on the Arts (currently composed of 18
Presidentially-appointed members and three members of Congress who serve ex officio).
The Council sends forward to the NEA Chair those applications that it recommends for
funding. The NEA Chair reviews the Council’s recommendations and makes the final
decision on all awards. The information that is collected on the application form and
accompanying supplemental materials is used in the review process. This information is
necessary for the accurate, fair, and thorough consideration of competing funding
proposals.
2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except
for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information
received from the current collection.
NEA staff post to an online application review system the completed application forms and
other information submitted by grant applicants so that advisory panelists may review
these materials. Each advisory panel comprises a group of arts experts and other
individuals including at least one knowledgeable layperson. Panel membership rotates
regularly.
The application guidelines ensure that all applicants submit comparable information.
Without the specific instructions provided by the guidelines, applications would vary in
length, format, and consistency and the job of reviewing them would be untenable. If this

National Endowment for the Arts Supporting Statement
information was not collected (or not collected in a standardized manner), advisory
panelists, the National Council on the Arts, and the NEA’s Chair would not have the basis
on which to make sound evaluations and recommendations. Arbitrary or random methods
would be required to select applications for funding.
Information that is collected on the application forms also is used for breakdowns of our
applications—for example, by arts discipline, by project type, by type of organization, etc.—
and for assessing the agency’s performance in carrying out its strategic goals and
objectives.
3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the
use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of
collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce
burden.
The NEA makes all of its application guidelines available on its website and places
application packages for all of its grant funding categories on Grants.gov. The guidelines
provide direct links to the application packages on Grants.gov for easy maneuverability.
Nonprofit organization applicants are required to submit their applications electronically
through Grants.gov and the NEA’s online Applicant Portal. Government agencies utilize
Grants.gov. Nominations for honorifics are accepted through a webform on the NEA’s
website, and submission of materials through the NEA’s Applicant Portal.
The NEA has greatly refined its electronic application systems in response to governmentwide initiatives and to the agency’s desire to improve efficiency and the reliability and
usefulness of the information collected. Most nonprofit organization applicants submit a
majority of their applications via consolidated webforms located on the agency’s Applicant
Portal whenever possible. This has created efficiencies for staff by electronically validating
what is submitted, as well as providing easy access to information in data fields for
dissemination, decision-making, and research purposes. Applicants have benefited from
these efficiencies as well. Instead of submitting multiple application forms as PDF
attachments, they enter information into one webform. We continually explore ways to
refine our information technology systems for the benefit of applicants, panelists, and
staff.
4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar
information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes
described in Item 2 above.
The NEA uses Grants.gov’s standard Application for Federal Domestic Assistance forms for
all of its electronic grant funding applications: SF-424 Mandatory for government agencies,
and the SF-424-Short for nonprofit organizations.
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National Endowment for the Arts Supporting Statement
We have three basic sets of forms, one for each of our major constituency types:
government agencies (notably the state arts agencies), nonprofit organizations, and
individuals (honorifics). The NEA has carefully analyzed its own additional forms to make
certain that there is no duplication with the information requested by the Grants.gov forms.
We also have examined our own family of forms to see where consolidation and uniformity
was possible.
The Grants.gov and NEA forms, together with other required supplementary material,
request information that the agency needs to consistently assess applications for financial
assistance. Each year, most nonprofit organization applicants apply for a single, specific
project. This project changes from year to year, as do the personnel involved, timelines,
and the project budget. Much of the information collected one year is not relevant to the
next year’s request since it is not current.
In the case of government agencies, the NEA has a continuing relationship with the state
arts agencies and their regional arts organizations and reviews plans from these agencies
that cover aspects of their programming in alignment with the NEA’s legislative
requirements.
Each set of application guidelines is reviewed regularly by a wide variety of representatives
from the field. Many of the individuals involved have been responsible for completing
applications in the past. Others, as panel members, have taken part in the application
review process. These individuals are well qualified to help assure that only essential
information is requested and that it is as non-duplicative as possible.
5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities,
describe any methods used to minimize burden.
Some of the NEA’s funding opportunities are aimed specifically at sections of the country,
areas of cities, and rural areas that are not fully participating in the arts experiences that
are available in our nation. Particularly with these initiatives, special attention has been
given to minimizing the burden on applicants. In addition, all of our application materials
are developed with sensitivity to the constraints faced by small, independently-run, nonprofit organizations.
6. Describe the consequence to federal program or policy activities if the collection is
not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal
obstacles to reducing burden.
The collection of information correlates directly with specific application deadlines that are
listed in the guidelines. Most applicants are limited to submitting a single application, for a
specific project, each year. The project for which they apply changes from year to year.

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National Endowment for the Arts Supporting Statement
Panelists review applications on their merits and in competition with other applications in
the same category. A grant awarded one year does not imply NEA support in subsequent
years. If the requested information was collected less frequently, panelists would not have
timely or accurate information on which to base their evaluations. The NEA would be
unable to ensure the fair and accountable use of federal funds and would not be able to
carry out its legislative mandate.
7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to
be conducted in a manner:
• requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than
quarterly;
• requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of
information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;
• requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any
document;
• requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical,
government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records, for more than three years;
• in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and
reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;
• requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed
and approved by OMB;
• that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority
established in statue or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data
security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily
impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or
• requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential
information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted
procedures to protect the information’s confidentiality to the extent permitted
by law.
The agency intends to collect the vast majority of its information from applicants in a
manner that does not necessitate any of the special requirements noted above. However,
there are limited instances where the NEA Chair, as provided for in our legislation, may
want to respond quickly to a specific need or opportunity in the field, particularly when this
can help the NEA fulfill its goal of providing grants in areas that are underserved. In such
cases, an applicant may be asked to respond to a collection of information in fewer than 30
days. A short turn-around time at the application stage would be part of an expedited
review and processing cycle designed to benefit the respondent.
8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication
in the Federal Register of the agency’s notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8 (d), soliciting
comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize
public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by

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National Endowment for the Arts Supporting Statement
the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received
on cost and hour burden.
Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on
the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and
recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be
recorded, disclosed, or reported.
Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained
or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years--even if
the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be
circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These
circumstances should be explained.
A notice was published in the Federal Register, Vol. 90, No. 113 (document 2025-10833) on
June 9, 2026, to solicit comments on the “Blanket Justification for National Endowment for
the Arts Funding Application Guidelines and Requirements” prior to submission of this
OMB clearance request. One public comment was received at the NEA in response to this
notice.
Advisory panelists (approximately 700 individuals per year) who review applications are
regularly consulted as to the clarity of the application guidelines and the value of the
information that is requested. In addition, the National Council on the Arts devotes a
portion of its meeting time to a discussion of the application guidelines.
In addition, NEA staff members consult regularly with individuals in their fields nationwide.
Service organizations and state arts agencies often provide suggestions on the application
guidelines from their constituents. The staff also receive and consider suggestions for
revising the application guidelines from applicants through an anonymous survey
administered to a random sampling of applicants after each of the agency’s principal grant
deadlines.
9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
Not applicable. The NEA does not provide any payments or gifts to respondents.
10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis
for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
Assurance of confidentiality is provided for under the terms of the Privacy Act of 1974.
The NEA is authorized to solicit applicant information by the agency’s enabling legislation
[20 U.S.C. §954].
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National Endowment for the Arts Supporting Statement
11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as
sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly
considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency
considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information,
the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and
any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.
No questions of a sensitive nature are included in the information collection.
12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The
statement should:
• Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour
burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed
to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on
which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than
10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is
expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity,
show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the
variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary
and usual business practices.
• If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour
burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens.
• Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for
collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate
categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information
collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be
included in Item 14.
ESTIMATED RESPONDENT BURDEN FOR APPLICATIONS
The chart below is broken out by the three basic types of recipients, which correspond to
the three basic sets of forms/supplementary material that the NEA requests of its
applicants. Figures are based on a frequency of one response per year for applications and
requirements.

Type of Recipient

Number of
Applicants

Avg Time per
Application
11-35 hrs
(avg: 24 hrs)

Nonprofit Orgs

4,190

Gov Agencies

62

Honorifics

450

28 hrs
1-8 hrs
(avg: 4 hrs)

4,702

22

Total

Estimated
Reporting
Burden (Hours)

Average
Hourly
Wage

Estimated Total
Cost Burden
Applicants

100,560

$29

$2,916,240

1,736

$29

$50,344

1,800

$29

$52,200

104,096

$29

$3,018,784

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National Endowment for the Arts Supporting Statement
ESTIMATED RESPONDENT BURDEN (IN HOURS) FOR APPLICATIONS
The total annual burden (in hours) of the application guidelines is estimated at 104,096
hours. This burden is calculated by multiplying the estimated number of applications for
each type of applicant x the estimated average hourly response burden for that type x 1
response per year. The category totals are added together for an agency-wide estimate of
104,096 hours. With an agency-wide estimate of 4,702 applications, this works out to an
agency average of 22 hours per response.
This average hours-per-response differs significantly by applicant type: from 24 hours for
nonprofit organizations to 4 hours for honorifics. The average for government agencies is
28 hours.
There is also some variation within the nonprofit organizations group. The estimated
application burden for most of these applicants is 24 hours. However, certain opportunities
of funding are designed specifically to increase access in rural areas and have simplified
application requirements; the time burden for these categories is estimated at 11 hours.
Our opportunities focused on research activities have a higher estimated burden of 35
hours. However, these applicants represent a small percentage (2%) of the nonprofit
organization applicants.
ESTIMATED RESPONDENT BURDEN (COST) FOR APPLICATIONS
The total annual cost burden to applicants (in dollars) is $3,018,784. The figures above
were estimated as follows. NEA staff were consulted as to the division of respondent time
between professional staff and support staff for each type of recipient. The average hourly
wage was computed factoring in professional and support staff wages proportionate to the
amount of time each typically spends preparing applications. Salaries were estimated
based on 1) salaries provided in this submission three years ago adjusted for Cost of Living
Adjustments for the past three years; 2) a sampling of salaries presented in current
applications; and 3) consultation with NEA staff.
13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or
recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of
any hour burden already reflected on the burden worksheet.)
• The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and
start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (b) a
total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The
estimates should take into account costs associated with generating,
maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information. Include descriptions
of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and
technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount
rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and startup costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information

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National Endowment for the Arts Supporting Statement

•

•

such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and
testing equipment; and record storage facilities.
If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of
cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing
or contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost
burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult
with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB
submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory
impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information
collection, as appropriate.
Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or
portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory
compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection,
(3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the
government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

Not applicable. There are no annual costs to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from
this collection of information.
14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the federal government. Also, provide a
description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification
of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, printing, and support staff), and
any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of
information. Agencies may also aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in
a single table.
ESTIMATED FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BURDEN FOR APPLICATIONS
Type of
Review

Number of
Applicants

Average staff hours
per application

Gov Hrs
total

Average
Hourly Wage

Total

Applications

4,702

6

28,212

$79

$2,228,748

The total estimated annual cost to the Federal Government is $2,228,748. In the chart
above, the estimated number of hours for staff review of applications is based on staff
experience with these tasks over a number of years. The Average Hourly Wage was
developed in consultation with agency staff, based on the following. The review of
applications averages 6 hours each. Each 6 hour review involves: 4 hours for the Program
Specialist (average wage at the GS 12/5 level); 1 hour for Support Staff (average wage GS
9/1); and 1 hour for the Program Director (average wage GS 15/6). We computed the pay of
these 3 positions (using the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s 2025 Salary Tables for
the D.C. area) proportionately to the time spent by each, to come up with an average hourly
rate of $79. This figure includes an estimated 35.7% fringe benefits rate.

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National Endowment for the Arts Supporting Statement
15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported on the
burden worksheet.
With respect to the application guidelines and requirements, the federal government’s
burden for these costs has decreased since 2022 from $2,698,626 to $2,228,748 due to the
streamlining and consolidation of some funding programs, resulting in fewer incoming
applications. Similarly, the cost to respondents for the same period of time has decreased
from $3,659,705 to $3,018,784 due the same factors.
We have carefully examined all of our grant funding opportunities to see where streamlining
and consolidation might be desirable. Our efforts led us to simplify the application
instructions and requirements, improve the presentation of application materials on our
website, and refine our application webforms. NOFO word counts have been reduced
between 27%-52%, making our application materials significantly easier for applicants to
review. Application requirements have also been reduced: nonprofit applicants now have a
20% reduction in required application content.
The estimated overall burden to government applicants has been adjusted to reflect a shift
from collecting a full application from 1/3 of the applicant pool every three years, to a full
application from all applicants annually. However, this has been offset by a reduction in the
application requirements. Previously, we estimated that a full application would take
approximately 32 hours to complete and submit, we now estimate that a full application
will take 28 hours to complete and submit. Government applicants have a reduction of
between 50-75% in required application content. Applicants in this program have an option
to direct reviewers to information in their state or regional arts plan, which further reduces
the need to provide narrative content.
Previous NEA ICR submissions did not include a dollar estimate for cost to applicants –
these figures were found in our previous Supporting Statements. This year, we have also
included the dollar estimate in the ICR, which makes it appear that the cost has risen,
when in fact, it has fallen from $3,659,705 in 2022 to $3,018,094 in 2025.
A summary of changes to the NEA’s application guidelines and requirements is included at
the bottom of this document (see “2025 PRA Summary of Changes” below).
16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for
tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be
used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending
dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and
other actions.
Not applicable.

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National Endowment for the Arts Supporting Statement
17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the
information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.
Displaying the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection is
appropriate. The expiration date will be displayed on all application guidelines (including
each form).
18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in “Certification for
Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions.”
Not applicable. There are no exceptions to the certification statement.
B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
Not applicable. This collection of information does not employ statistical methods.

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National Endowment for the Arts Supporting Statement
Addendum: 2025 PRA Summary of Changes to Application Guidelines and
Requirements
Grant Program

Research Grants in
the Arts, Research
Labs, Grants for
Arts Projects
Research Grants in
the Arts (RGA)
Research Grants in
the Arts (RGA)
Research Grants in
the Arts (RGA)
Research Grants in
the Arts (RGA)
Research Grants in
the Arts (RGA)
Research Grants in
the Arts (RGA)
Research Grants in
the Arts (RGA)
Research Grants in
the Arts (RGA)
Research Grants in
the Arts (RGA)
Research Grants in
the Arts (RGA)
Research Grants in
the Arts (RGA)
Research Grants in
the Arts (RGA)
Research Grants in
the Arts (RGA)
Research Grants in
the Arts (RGA)

Area of NOFO

Detail
We have removed the following
questions: APPLICANT ORGANIZATION
DISCIPLINE, ADDITIONAL APPLICANT
ORGANIZATION DISCIPLINE,
ADDITIONAL ORGANIZATION
Organization and Project DESCRIPTION, ADDITIONAL PROJECT
Profile Tab Data
ACTIVITY TYPE, RACE/ETHNICITY.
Research Agenda Topic Areas have been
updated to align with new program
Program Description
priorities
Application limits: applicants can apply
to both Labs and RGA, but will only be
Eligibility
awarded in one program.
Post-Award
Administration
Reduction of product requirements
Application:
Organization Info
ADD: Year Founded
Application:
Removed MISSION OF YOUR
Organization Info
ORGANIZATION question.
Application:
YEAR drop down added to Operating
Organization Info
History
Application: Project
Brought back the PROJECT SUMMARY
Activity
field.
Application: Project
ADD: RESEARCH STUDY
Activity
CHARACTERISTICS drop down
Application: Project
Activity
ADD: ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE drop down
DATA ACCESS and DATA MANAGEMENT
Application: Project
fields have been combined, reducing the
Activity
overall character count by 5,000.
Application: Key
BIOs increased by 500 characters;
Individuals
number of allowable bios reduced to 3
Application: Additional
PROMOTION & PUBLICITY increased by
Project Details
500 characters
Application: Additional
Project Details
ADD: PRODUCTS drop down
Application: Additional
ENGAGEMENT question reduced by 500
Project Details
characters

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National Endowment for the Arts Supporting Statement
Grant Program
Research Grants in
the Arts (RGA)
Research Labs

Area of NOFO
Application: Items to
Upload
Program Description

Research Labs

Program Description

Research Labs

Eligibility
Post-Award
Administration
Application:
Organization Info
Application:
Organization Info
Application:
Organization Info
Application: Project
Activity
Application: Project
Activity
Application: Project
Activity

Research Labs
Research Labs
Research Labs
Research Labs
Research Labs
Research Labs
Research Labs

Research Labs

Application: Project
Activity
Application: Key
Individuals
Application: Additional
Project Details
Application: Additional
Project Details
Application: Additional
Project Details
Application: Items to
Upload

Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)
Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)
Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)

Program Description
Program Description:
Artistic Disciplines
Program Description:
Artistic Disciplines

Research Labs
Research Labs
Research Labs
Research Labs
Research Labs

Detail
Reduction of optional items.
Updated research agenda topics
Period of performance may be up to 3
years (previously was 24-30 months)
Application limits: applicants can apply
to both Labs and RGA, but will only be
awarded in one program.
Reduction of product requirements
ADD: Year Founded
Removed MISSION OF YOUR
ORGANIZATION question.
YEAR drop down added to Operating
History
Brought back the PROJECT SUMMARY
field.
ADD: RESEARCH STUDY
CHARACTERISTICS drop down
ADD: ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE drop down
DATA ACCESS and DATA MANAGEMENT
fields have been combined, reducing the
overall character count by 5,000.
BIOs increased by 500 characters
PROMOTION & PUBLICITY increased by
500 characters
ADD: PRODUCTS drop down
ENGAGEMENT question reduced by 500
characters
Reduction of optional items.
Removed "We Encourage" section and
replaced with a link to Agency Priorities
webpage
Media Arts and Visual Arts have been
combined
Addition of Challenge America as a
discipline
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National Endowment for the Arts Supporting Statement
Grant Program
Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)
Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)
Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)
Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)

Area of NOFO
Program Description:
Artistic Disciplines
Program Description:
Artistic Disciplines
Program Description:
Artistic Disciplines
Program Description:
Artistic Disciplines

Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)

Eligibility

Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)

Application Review:
Review Criteria

Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)

Application Review:
Review Criteria

Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)

Application Review:
Review Criteria

Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)
Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)

Application: Discipline
descriptions (all
disciplines)
Application: Discipline
descriptions, Arts
Education
Application:
Organization Info
Application: Arts
Programmatic History
Tab
Application: Project
Activity

Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)
Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)

Application: Project
Activity
Application: Project
Activity

Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)
Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)
Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)

Detail
Removal of Artist Communities as a
discipline
Visual & Media Arts have been combined
Design & Our Town have been combined
Theater & Musical Theater have been
combined
Organizations must have had previous
year operating expenses of $20k or more
to be eligible.
Addition to Artistic Merit: bullet
addressing the potential of the project to
have regional, national, or field-wide
significance.
Addition to Artistic Merit, under as
applicable: Alignment with one or more
agency funding priorities.
Addition to Artistic Merit: adherence to
state/national arts standards for Arts
Education projects
Descriptions and project types have been
streamlined across the board.
Characteristics of competitive proposals
has been removed.
Collective Impact projects will no longer
be accepted.
Removed MISSION OF YOUR
ORGANIZATION question.
Addition of MONTH and YEAR drop down
lists. Years will be 2018-2025.
Some disciplines now have a subcategory option
Brought back the PROJECT SUMMARY
field - previously removed during the last
PRA. Staff requested this be returned to
assist with write-ups.
Removed OTHER PROJECT
INFORMATION

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National Endowment for the Arts Supporting Statement
Grant Program
Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)
Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)

Area of NOFO

Detail
Brought back the SELECTION OF
PROJECT PARTNERS & KEY INDIVIDUALS
question per MAC.
Available character count reduced by
3,000 characters per field
Removed Leadership Statements,
Primary Artist Statements, and Letters of
Commitment

Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)

Application: Project
Activity
Application: Additional
Items, General
Application: Additional
Items Theater & Musical
Theater
Application: Additional
Items Presenting &
Multidisciplinary Works

Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)
Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)

Application: Additional
Item: Media Arts
Application: Items to
Upload

Removed statements of support
Significant efforts were made this year to
drastically reduce the number of
additional items and items to upload
requested for Media projects
Created general work sample
instructions across all disciplines.

Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)
Government
Agencies: State
Arts Agencies
Government
Agencies: State
Arts Agencies
Government
Agencies: State
Arts Agencies
Government
Agencies: State
Arts Agencies
Government
Agencies: State
Arts Agencies
Government
Agencies: State
Arts Agencies
Government
Agencies: Regional
Arts Organizations

Application: Items to
Upload

All disciplines will move to accepting
work samples through PDF uploads.

General

Applications are no longer for multi-year
approval

Review Criteria

Updated to align with application
narrative requirements

Grants for Arts
Projects (GAP)

Application attachments No longer require Staff and Board lists
Application Narrative

Application Narrative

Page limit reduced from 12 to 3-6 pages
Applicants may identify information
found in State Arts Plan in lieu of writing
narrative responses
Program Budget allocation asks for
overview, rather than program specific
funding

General

Applications are no longer for multi-year
approval

Application Narrative

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National Endowment for the Arts Supporting Statement
Grant Program
Government
Agencies: Regional
Arts Organizations
Government
Agencies: Regional
Arts Organizations
Government
Agencies: Regional
Arts Organizations
Government
Agencies: Regional
Arts Organizations
Government
Agencies: Regional
Arts Organizations
Government
Agencies: Regional
Arts Organizations
Honorifics:
Heritage Fellows
Nomination

Area of NOFO
Review Criteria

Detail
Updated to align with application
narrative requirements

Application attachments No longer require Staff and Board lists
Application Narrative
Application Narrative
Application Narrative
Revenue Sources

AP Instructions

Page limit reduced from 12 to 3-6 pages
Applicants may identify information
found in Regional Arts Plan in lieu of
writing narrative responses
Program Budget allocation asks for
overview, rather than program specific
funding
RAO Revenue Sources Information will
now be collected as part of the RAO
narrative instead of as a separate form.
Applicants will now submit support
letters, bio, and nomination statement
through the AP instead of the nomination
form.

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