Application Process

Tales From The Chihuahuan Desert: Borderlands Narratives About Identity And Binationalism


2025 NEH Summer Institute Application Information and Instructions for 6–12 Teachers

NEH Summer Institutes allow teachers to enrich and revitalize their teaching through the study of humanities topics that bear upon education. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion of the program, but the programs are not intended to duplicate graduate-level courses.

This institute allows twenty-five participants to pursue an intensive program of study under a team of scholarly experts, who present a range of perspectives on a humanities topic. Participants and scholars mutually explore connections between scholarship and teaching of the topic.

In any given year, an individual may attend only one Institute or Landmarks workshop. Participants may not accept an additional offer or withdraw in order to accept a different offer once they have accepted an offer to attend an NEH Institutes or Landmarks program.

Application Information & Selection Criteria

A selection committee comprising the project director and at least two colleagues (including one K–12 teacher) evaluates complete applications to select NEH-funded Summer Scholars and identify alternates.

Application Instructions

Before applying to a seminar or institute, carefully review the project website and requirements.

Applications are accepted in ONE FORMAT:

  • ONLINE: Complete and submit the online application form here. Submission deadline: March 5, 2025.

Submission of Applications & Notification Procedure

Application deadline: March 5, 2025 (online).

Notifications of acceptance or non-acceptance will be sent via email by April 2, 2025.

Accepted applicants must confirm participation by April 16, 2025.

Important: Applications sent directly to NEH will not be reviewed.

Stipend, Tenure, and Conditions of Award

Each participant will receive a stipend of $2,200 (taxable) for the two-week institute. The stipend helps cover institute-related expenses, including books assigned but not provided by the institute team and other academic costs.

Stipend payment will be made after institute completion in August 2025.

Participants are expected to remain for the entire program period and fully engage in its work. If special circumstances require a participant to leave early, a pro-rated share of the stipend will be adjusted or returned.

At the end of the program, NEH Summer Scholars must submit online evaluations of the seminar or institute.

For comments or concerns, contact NEH at info@neh.gov.

For more information, please review these documents: participant expectations and FAQs.

Participant Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to apply if you are a:

  • United States citizen, including those teaching abroad at U.S. chartered institutions and schools operated by the federal government;
  • Resident of U.S. jurisdictions; or
  • Foreign national who has been residing in the United States or its jurisdictions for at least the three years immediately preceding the application deadline.

You are not eligible to apply if you:

  • Are a foreign national teaching abroad;
  • Are related to the project director(s);
  • Are affiliated with the applicant institution (employees, currently enrolled students, etc.);
  • Have been taught or advised in an academic capacity by the project director(s);
  • Are delinquent in the repayment of federal debt (taxes, student loans, child support payments, and delinquent payroll taxes for household or other employees);
  • Have been debarred or suspended by any federal department or agency;
  • Have attended a previous NEH professional development project (Seminars, Landmarks, or Institutes) led by the project director(s).

NEH does not require participants to have earned an advanced degree.

In any given year, an individual may attend only one Institute or Landmarks workshop.

J1 and F1 visa holders should confer with their sponsoring institution regarding their eligibility to receive a stipend from another institution.

To be considered for selection, applicants must submit a complete application as indicated on the individual project’s website.

Any questions about applications should be directed to borderlandsnarratives@utep.edu

NEH Equal Opportunity Statement

NEH does not condone or tolerate discrimination or harassment based on age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), genetic information, national origin, race, or religion. Nor does NEH condone or tolerate retaliation against those who initiate discrimination complaints (either formally or informally), serve as witnesses, or otherwise participate in the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) process, or oppose discrimination or harassment.

For further information, write to the Equal Opportunity Officer, National Endowment for the Humanities, 400 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024. TDD: 202-606-8282 (this is a special telephone device for the Deaf).