Research Grants in the Arts support research studies that investigate the value and/or impact of the arts, either as individual components of the U. S. arts ecology or as they interact with each other and/or with other domains of American life.

The NEA welcomes research proposals that address

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priority topics and possible questions as outlined in the agency’s FY 2022-2026 research agenda.

The priority topics are briefly listed below, but a link to the full research agenda, including a detailed description of the four topic areas and several related sample questions that may be used or adapted by applicants to the Research Grants in the Arts program are available through the “Guidelines and Application Instruction” link below.

Applicants are strongly urged to consult this more detailed list while preparing their application.

The four research areas are:
• The art’s impact on health, education, and the economy • The art’s role in community transformation and healing • Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the arts • The evolving ecosystem of the arts in the U. S. Proposals to the Research Grants in the Arts program should align with at least one of the aforementioned topics, and, if possible, address research questions identical or similar to the related sample questions in the NEA’s research agenda for FY 2022-202 6.