Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the Humanities?  
The humanities are the stories, the ideas, and the words that help us understand our lives and our world. They offer us the opportunity to learn from the past, explore the present, and shape the future. They are about culture, community, and connections. The humanities emphasize the exchange of ideas, critical and imaginative thinking, and the pursuit of wisdom.

The humanities are sometimes defined as academic disciplines that study the human experience, past and present. They include the study of history; literature, philosophy, and ethics; foreign languages and cultures. They may explore legal, religious, and folk traditions. They also include critical approaches to the arts, science, technology, or politics.

What are Humanities Scholars?
Those seeking funds must centrally involve humanities scholars as part of their project. This includes academic humanists such as university faculty, researchers, and graduate students with advanced degrees in one or more of the humanities disciplines. This may also include persons not affiliated with an academic institution but actively engaged in humanities study with a public record of humanities scholarship, including individuals who are considered community scholars or culture bearers (tribal or neighborhood elders, storytellers, or practitioners of traditional cultural forms). If you have questions, please contact a member of the grants staff.    

How can Humanities Scholars get involved in public projects?  
Humanities scholars strengthen a project by providing a broad humanistic perspective as well as in-depth knowledge in a particular field of study.  They can play many roles including, but not limited to:
• Consultant on humanities content with organizations to develop and help shape ideas into a humanities project.
• Evaluator or advisor during project development by reviewing text or copy for brochures or catalogues.
• Researcher or writer- of critical and interpretive materials, essays, and text for exhibitions, script treatments, catalogues, etc., to accompany a project or program.
• Lecturer, presenter, panel discussant, or moderator appearing in a film or public program.

Do I need 501(c)3 status to apply for funding?
No, the Council accepts mini grant proposals from individual applicants who are planning to do research in the humanities. Non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for both mini and major grants.

Can I apply for a RICH grant if I am not a Rhode Island resident or Rhode Island based organization?
Yes, non-Rhode Island based organizations and residents are encouraged to apply. However, applicants should be able to articulate the impact their project will have in Rhode Island.

Can I apply for more than one grant?
No, applicants can have only one open grant with the Council at a time. You may apply for a new grant once a current grant has been satisfactorily closed.

What is the average award?
The Council offers major grants of greater than $2000 in the Fall and mini grants of $2000 or less on a monthly basis for humanities projects that serve the public.  Major grants range usually between $5000 – $10,000, with a maximum of $5000 for humanities research and content development projects. Mini grants range usually between $1000 – $2000.

Does RICH fund films?
Yes, the Council has a long track record of funding documentary films with a clear connection to Rhode Island history or culture, or both.

By what time does the application have to be submitted online?
All deadlines require receipt of materials via the RICH website by 5pm.

What if a deadline falls on a holiday or weekend?
Deadlines that fall on a holiday or weekend will be postponed to the next business day.

What if I miss the deadline?
Late or incomplete applications will be disqualified.  An application for a project that will incur any costs prior to an award decision will also be disqualified; RICH does not fund retroactively.  Review of applications may take up to eight weeks.  Select deadlines accordingly and plan in advance to ensure project eligibility.

When will I hear if I my grant application has been approved?
Expect written notification of the Council's decision approximately eight weeks after the application deadline for major grants and four weeks after the application deadline for mini grants.  Notification may be delayed pending availability of funds.

What happens next, if my grant is approved?
If the Council decides on an award, you will receive a regrant agreement detailing award terms and conditions.  You will have one month upon receipt to sign and return this agreement indicating acceptance of the award.  The Council may withdraw your award if you fail to return required award acceptance documents in a timely fashion.

What if I have more questions?
Our website is a fantastic resource: www.rihumanities.org.  Also, our staff is available to guide applicants through the application process and provide feedback on draft applications received at least a month before the final application deadline.  Staff will review drafts in the order received.  Staff review is in no way a guarantee of funding.