Reading & Discussion Grants fund (up to $2,000) programs across New York State and provide an opportunity for communities to deeply consider a topic or issue of interest to them. In each program, participants read a series of thematically linked texts over the course of four to six sessions. These sessions are facilitated by a trained local scholar and allow for an in-depth discussion of the material.
Organizations may choose to use one of the themes Humanities New York has developed or propose their own. For organizations that use HNY themes, up to 15 copies of each suggested text may be borrowed upon request. Host sites must identify a facilitator from their own communities. HNY will train facilitators via webinar and occasional in-person workshops. If you have additional questions, contact Programs Assistant Rachel Pitkin.
Webinars for Reading & Discussion Program Directors and Program Facilitators are scheduled for Tuesday, February 13th. Participants should use the links below to register.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Be a New York State organization, municipality, or tribal government
- Provide documentation of tax-exempt status
- Submit application via the HNY grant portal, Fluxx
DEADLINES
- Applications for Spring 2024 programs will open on October 16th, with a deadline of December 11th.
UPDATES
Organizations that have hosted Reading & Discussion programs in the past may notice some exciting updates. The key differences are as follows:
- Organizations may now apply for up to $2,000 to cover expenses related to conducting the program. These may include facilitator honoraria, supplies, refreshments, marketing costs, and more. Requested funds should be matched, either in cash or in-kind, on a 1:1 basis.
- All grant funds will be paid directly to the awarded organization.
- This new Reading & Discussion Grant combines the previously separate "R&D Grant" and "Community Developed R&D Grant." All organizations that want to apply to host one of HNY’s pre-existing themes, or develop a theme of their own, will apply using the same form.
- In addition to filling out the application, organizations will need to submit the facilitator’s resume or CV, a budget outlining expenses and matching funds, and a syllabus or reading list if proposing their own theme.