July 29, 2010 - The National Council on the Humanities convened in Washington, DC on July 22-23. Brief public committee meetings were held at 9am on Thursday, July 22 followed by closed sessions to review grant applications. Committees included: Federal/State Partnership and Challenge Grants, Digital Humanities, Education Programs, and Public Programs. The following programs and grant competitions were considered during the private portions of the meetings: 

FEDERAL/STATE PARTNERSHIP

• General Support Grants
• We the People Project Grants
• Council Members: Rolena Adorno (chair), Jamsheed Choksy, Herman Belz
• Division Director: Edie Manza

CHALLENGE GRANTS

• Challenge Grants in United States History and Culture
• Council Members: Rolena Adorno (chair), Jamsheed Choksy, Herman Belz
• Division Director: Steve Ross

DIGITAL HUMANITIES

• Digital Humanities Start-Up Grants           
• Council Members: Dawn Ho Delbanco (chair), Allen Guelzo, David Hertz, Marvin Scott
• Division Director: Brett Bobley

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

• Summer Seminars and Institutes
• Landmarks of American History
• Council Members: Robert Martin (chair), Gary Glenn
• Division Director: William Craig Rice

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

• America’s Media Makers: Development and Production Grants
• America’s Historical and Cultural Organizations: Planning and Implementation Grants
• Interpreting America’s Historic Places: Planning and Implementation Grants
• NEH on the Road           
• America’s Historical and Cultural Organizations Implementation Grant Supplement for Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War
• Bridging Cultures: Planning and Implementation Grants for Academic Forums and Program Development Workshops
• Council Members: James Davison Hunter (chair), Adele Alexander, Jean Bethke Elshtain, Craig Haffner, Harvey Klehr, Marvin Krislov
• Division Director: Tom Phelps

During the plenary session of the full Council meeting on Friday, July 23, members of the public, Council members, and NEH staff heard reports from Chairman Leach, NEH senior staff, and Council members. Esther Mackintosh, President of the Federation of State Humanities Councils, gave a tribute to Bruce Fraser, Executive Director of the Connecticut Humanities Council. Mr. Fraser passed away earlier this summer.

The National Council on the Humanities is a board of 26 private citizens charged, by statute, with (1) advising the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities with respect to Endowment policies, programs, and procedures, and with (2) reviewing grant applications and making recommendations to the Chairman. National Council members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They serve staggered, six-year terms.

A current list of council members is available on the NEH website. The next Council meeting is scheduled for November 18-19.

Related content: Grants, NEH, NEH Council