Through its Montana Public Affairs Initiative grants, Humanities Montana will provide grant funds to support public programs that bring the humanities to bear on domestic and foreign issues of concern to Montanans. Humanities Montana will give preference to proposals addressing these issues.

Purpose. Humanities Montana believes that the humanities enrich and sharpen the understanding of contemporary events. The humanities provide the history and the values that underlie every public issue, as well as expressive and comparative perspectives that illuminate these considerations. The humanities also provide contexts and values encouraging civic and deliberative discourse, which are essential to the effective resolution of present-day problems. The Montana Public Affairs Initiative is intended to encourage Montana non-profit groups to address matters of importance to the state and nation that essentially involve humanities disciplines and scholars, both in their planning and execution. Humanities Montana believes also that the involvement of such scholars and professionals will enrich and strengthen their own work in the pursuit of their disciplines, teaching, and research.

Montana public affairs. Obvious issues of interest to Montanans and the country are the environment, preservation of wildlife and sporting opportunities, renewable energy, development, education, the federal and state economy, taxation, cultural and ethnic identities and relations, democratic values, civic skills, and much more; and they may include international issues, religion, and broader themes also of interest and importance to concerned Montanans.

The humanities. The humanities include the study of history, literature, philosophy, jurisprudence, ethics, languages, linguistics, archaeology, and of religion; the theory, history, and criticism of art and music; and the philosophical, historical, and cultural dimensions of the social and natural sciences. Scholars in all of these fields can contribute to our grasp of contemporary issues. However, Humanities Montana also strongly encourages applicants for grants to contact members of the Montana business and agricultural communities to contribute their expertise and participate in these public affairs programs.

Eligible applicants. Humanities Montana grants are open to non-profit, educational, and governmental entities and organizations, as well as ad hoc groups.

Project format. Projects may include conferences, workshops, lectures, media programs, publications, and a variety of other formats. Projects emphasizing humanities content, encouraging multiple voices and perspectives, and opportunities for civic discourse, will be favored.

Balance, advocacy. Public funds support all Humanities Montana programs, and, accordingly, these funds may not be used to support particular political, ideological, or religious views. Balanced presentations on issues, which lead to reflection and understanding rather than action, will be favored.

Requirements. Successful proposals and projects will conform to the guidelines and deadlines set forth for Humanities Montana grant programs generally.

Grant award process and deadlines. The board will consider Montana Public Affairs Initiative grant proposals in accordance with its regular grant consideration schedule: proposals for $5,000 or less, quarterly in March, June, September and December, and for more than $5,000, twice annually in May and February. (See Humanities Montana grant proposal deadlines.) Grant periods may vary but generally will be no more than two years in length. Among criteria used to select successful proposals are humanities content, Montana focus, public interest, nature and extent of humanities content, cost share, and demonstrated need for grant support.

Application process. Humanities Montana strongly recommends an initial query for proposed projects. Complete proposals must adhere to published deadlines and include the standard cover sheet, budget form and narrative, project narrative, and project personnel forms, and generally conform to the proposal requirements given in the Humanities Montana grant guidelines.