On February 1, President Obama asked Congress for $161.3 million to fund the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for FY 2011, a $6.2 million cut from the FY 10 appropriated level of $167.5 million.
The President’s request includes $80,250,000 to
enable the Endowment to fund grants in the study, preservation, public programming, and teaching of the humanities, including $2.5 million for a special initiative—Bridging Cultures—to enhance Americans’ understanding of their own cultural heritage as well as the cultural complexity of an increasingly interdependent world. An additional $14,050,000 is requested for matching grants, which leverage non-federal support for the humanities.
The budget would direct $38,515,000 to
the 56 state and territorial humanities councils to continue activities that range from reading and discussion programs to educational institutes for teachers.
FY 11 Proposed NEH Funding by Program (FY 11 proposed vs. FY 10 enacted)
(Amounts in thousands)
- $2,500 – Bridging Cultures (new initiative)
- $40,370 – Federal/State partnership ($40,370) -$1,855
- $16,250 – Preservation and access ($17,116) -$866
- $14,750 – Public programs ($15,616) +$866
- $16,000 – Research programs ($16,866) -$866
- $14,750 – Education programs ($15,616) -$866
- $500 – Program development ($750) -$250
- $11,500 – We The People Initiative grants ($14,500) -$3,000
- $4,000 – Digital Humanities Initiatives ($4,866) -$866
$118,765—Subtotal Grants————-($125,700) -$6,935
$4,550 – Treasury funds ($4,800) -$250
$9,500 – Challenge grants ($9,500) no change
$14,050– Subtotal Matching Grants—-($14,300) -$250
$28,500 – Administration ($27,500) +$1,000
$161,315 – TOTAL HUMANITIES ($167,500) -$6,185