The NEH provides grants for high-quality humanities projects to cultural institutions such as museums, archives, libraries, colleges, universities, public television, and radio stations, and to individual scholars.
According to its mission statement: "Because democracy demands wisdom, NEH serves and strengthens our republic by promoting excellence in the humanities and conveying the lessons of history to all Americans.
President Obama nominated the former Iowa congressman, a Republican, to chair the NEH on June 3, 2009;[6] the Senate confirmed his appointment in August 2009.
Leach visited each of the 50 states, speaking at venues ranging from university and museum lecture halls to hospitals for veterans, to support the return of non-emotive, civil exchange and rational consideration of other viewpoints.
[15] On February 10, 2020, the NEH was presented by the Trump administration with a FY2021 budget that included an orderly wind-down of the agency.
[16] Plans to close the agency were halted under the Biden administration and the NEH continues to operate and provides funding for various projects.
Advising the chair is the National Council on the Humanities, a board of 26 distinguished private citizens who are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
The Endowment is directed by a chair, who has legal authority to approve all recommendations and award grants and cooperative agreements.
The twenty-six appointed by the President are selected from among private citizens of the United States who are recognized for their broad knowledge of, expertise in, or commitment to the humanities, and have established records of distinguished service and scholarship or creativity and in a manner which will provide a comprehensive representation of the views of scholars and professional practitioners in the humanities and of the public throughout the United States.
In making these appointments, the President shall give due regard to equitable representation of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities who are involved in the humanities, and may give consideration to such recommendations as may from time to time be submitted to him by leading national organizations concerned with the humanities.
[20] The current council members as of December 22, 2024[update]:[21] President Biden has nominated the following to fill seats on the commission.
[25] This initiative, launched in 2014, marks a priority to make awards that promote understanding of the military experience and to support returning veterans.
[27] The initiative supports projects and programs that explore significant events and themes in American nation's history, which advance knowledge of the principles that define America.
[44] From 1990 until her death in 2007, Humanities was edited by Mary Lou Beatty (who had previously been a high-ranking editor at the Washington Post).