The NEA Research Labs program funds projects that support transdisciplinary research teams to build public knowledge about the arts and their contributions to individuals, communities, and society at large. Recipients will develop a multiyear research agenda, conduct multiple research studies, and develop a suite of products or services (e.g., a website, research papers, workshops, or evidence-based tools) of value not only to arts researchers, but also to practitioners in the arts and other sectors such as healthcare, education, and business or management. As part of the multi-year research agenda, applicants must propose a plan for sustaining the research after the conclusion of the NEA-supported activities. The NEA welcomes proposals that align with the following priority research area and one or more detailed questions within it, as suggested by the agency’s FY 2022-2026 research agenda. The priority research area is: 

• What are measurable impacts of the arts on the following outcome areas: health and wellness for individuals; cognition and learning; and U.S. economic growth and/or civic or business innovation? Under what conditions do such impacts occur, through what mechanisms, and for which populations and/or sectors?

NEA aims to make arts-relevant research a shared endeavor (with shared benefits) for academic researchers, arts practitioners, stakeholders, and the greater public. Accordingly, the Research Labs program requires a confirmed partnership at the time of application between the lead applicant organization and at least one “arts partner,” defined as either (a) an arts organization or (b) an individual artist or culture bearer. The arts partner is expected to contribute substantially to the NEA Research Lab. Applications that do not include an arts partner are ineligible for Research Labs awards.

Deadlines:

• Part 1: Grants.gov Submission Deadline: 03/24/2025, 11:59 PM ET
• Part 2: NEA Applicant Portal Submission Deadline: 04/03/2025, 11:59 PM ET
  
  

Link to FOA Here

PI Eligibility: Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as a Principal Investigator (PI) are invited to work with their organizations to develop an application. Individuals from underrepresented groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply.  

Institutional Limit: UD may submit only one application to the FY 2026 Research Labs funding opportunity.  

Application Information: Interested applicants must submit a summary of their proposed Research Lab project (< 3 pages). Applications not adhering to this requirement will be returned without review.

Review Criteria: White papers will be evaluated using the artistic excellence and artistic merit criteria in the Research Labs solicitation (criteria start on page 21 of the Research Labs FY26 Program Guidelines).