NEA Big Read Grants 2027–2028
The NEA Big Read supports U.S. organizations that create community reading programs around a selected book from the 2027–2028 Big Read library and the theme “Read Like a Champion.”
NEA Big Read Grants 2027–2028
The NEA Big Read supports organizations that bring people together around literature through community reading programs. For the 2027–2028 cycle, applicants design a public program around one of the 18 books in the selected Big Read library and the theme “Read Like a Champion.” The program is a matching grant: the applicant must provide at least one dollar in nonfederal cost share for every grant dollar requested. Applications are submitted in two phases through Arts Midwest’s SmartSimple portal. Arts Midwest program overview and the NEA announcement provide the published program details.
A prospective applicant should be able to build a public program around a library book, reach a local audience, and provide the required match. The program supports community reading, book purchases, partnerships, public relations, and book discussions. Confirm allowable costs and the current award minimum in the full guidelines before budgeting.
At a glance: award details
| Item | Published information |
|---|---|
| Grantmaker and administrator | National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with Arts Midwest |
| Grant type | Matching community arts grant |
| Award range | $5,000–$30,000 in the NEA announcement and Arts Midwest at-a-glance summary; $15,000–$30,000 in Arts Midwest’s detailed eligibility text. Confirm the applicable minimum in the full guidelines. |
| Application portal | Arts Midwest SmartSimple; Phase 1 precedes an invitation to submit Phase 2 |
| Phase 1 deadline | January 12, 2027, at 12:00 p.m. Central Time |
| Phase 2 deadline | January 26, 2027, at 12:00 p.m. Central Time |
| Expected award notice | May 2027 |
| Project period | September 1, 2027–June 30, 2028 |
| Geography | United States, U.S. territories, and Native Nations and communities sharing this geography |
| Required match | At least a one-to-one nonfederal cost share against the grant amount requested |
The sources conflict on the minimum: the NEA release and Arts Midwest overview say $5,000, while Arts Midwest’s detailed eligibility section says $15,000. Confirm the current minimum in the full guidelines or with Arts Midwest before budgeting. Both sources list a $30,000 maximum. Arts Midwest · NEA
What the grant supports
The Big Read supports community-wide reading programs based on a selected book from the 2027–2028 library and the theme “Read Like a Champion.” Arts Midwest identifies book purchases, local partnerships, public relations, and book discussions as program supports; activities may include workshops, performances, lectures, and community events. Check the guidelines for cost or activity limits. Arts Midwest program page
Libraries, universities, museums, cultural organizations, and other eligible groups may fit if they can convene a community around reading. The full proposal asks for partner and event counts and expected audience size, but the supplied information sets no minimum for these figures. Plan estimates from actual capacity.
A project must use one of the 18 books in the 2027–2028 library. Choose a title suited to the community the organization can reach, then use it and the theme to shape the program. The supplied brief does not say every activity must be a book discussion; confirm the expected connection in the full guidelines. Arts Midwest program page
Who should apply and eligibility
Eligible applicants include U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits and other federally tax-exempt organizations. The examples in the program information include universities, school districts, public libraries, tribal organizations, museums, and community-service organizations. Applicants must be located in the United States, a U.S. territory, or a Native Nation or community sharing this geography. Arts Midwest eligibility information
To receive funds, the organization needs a SAM.gov Unique Entity ID (UEI), must be in good standing with Arts Midwest, and must comply with federal requirements. If status eligibility or fiscal-sponsor eligibility is unclear, check the guidelines or ask Arts Midwest; the brief does not confirm fiscal-sponsor eligibility. Arts Midwest eligibility information
A project must engage the community through a library book and provide at least a one-to-one nonfederal cost share. In practical terms, plan eligible nonfederal match equal to the grant amount requested. Confirm allowable sources, documentation, and treatment of donated goods or services in the guidelines. Arts Midwest eligibility information
What the application asks for
Applicants begin by registering their organization in Arts Midwest’s SmartSimple portal. Phase 1 collects organization identifiers, mission, location, budget, primary contact, and a short project summary. The program then reviews Phase 1 applications; approved applicants proceed to Phase 2. The NEA announcement sets the Phase 1 deadline at January 12, 2027, while Arts Midwest gives the same deadline and noon Central Time cutoff. Arts Midwest application information · NEA timeline
The full proposal asks for partner and event counts, expected adults and youth served, organizational history, project narratives, and a budget. Arts Midwest provides detailed prompts and sample applications in the guidelines package. Exact questions, budget categories, attachments, and formats are not specified in the brief; use the package as the submission checklist. Arts Midwest application information
How to Apply
- Read the current program guidelines and confirm the award range. Resolve the $5,000 versus $15,000 minimum discrepancy before setting the amount to request. Confirm any request increments, eligible project costs, and match rules from the current guidelines or directly with Arts Midwest.
- Check organizational readiness. Verify that the applicant’s tax-exempt or public status is eligible, its location fits the stated geography, its SAM.gov UEI is available for funding, and it is in good standing with Arts Midwest. Review applicable federal requirements before committing to a project budget.
- Choose one of the 18 library books and develop the community program. Identify the audiences the organization can realistically serve and the community reading activities it can deliver during the project period. The project should make the selected book and “Read Like a Champion” meaningful in the proposed public program.
- Register in SmartSimple and complete Phase 1. Enter the requested organizational information, mission, location, budget, primary contact, and short project summary. Submit before January 12, 2027, at noon Central Time. Keep a copy of what was submitted and any portal confirmation for the organization’s records.
- If approved for Phase 2, use the detailed prompts and sample application. Prepare the partner and event counts, estimates of adults and youth served, organization history, project narratives, and budget that the full proposal requests. The Phase 2 deadline is January 26, 2027, at noon Central Time. Confirm the portal’s submission status after completing the proposal.
- Plan for the published project period. Proposed grant activity belongs within September 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028. Build a schedule and budget that match those dates, and verify in the guidelines when costs may be incurred and what reporting obligations apply.
The portal sequence, requested information, and dates are published details. Keeping copies and confirming portal status are practical advice, not additional stated requirements. Arts Midwest application and timeline information · NEA announcement
Timeline and deadlines
Applications opened October 20, 2026, according to the NEA announcement. Phase 1 is due January 12, 2027, at noon Central Time. Approved applicants submit a full proposal by January 26, 2027, at noon Central Time. Panel review is scheduled for February through April 2027, and awards are expected in May 2027. The project period runs from September 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028. NEA announcement · Arts Midwest timeline
Phase 2 is only for applicants approved to continue; a Phase 1 submission does not itself guarantee advancement. The brief gives no Phase 1 decision date. Monitor the application email and portal, and verify dates and time zones in the current materials.
Preparation and common mistakes
Preparation advice: Build a realistic program and budget showing the request and nonfederal match. Connect activities to the selected book, identify likely partners, and estimate audience reach from actual capacity. These estimates help prepare the full proposal; they do not establish a minimum partner, event, or audience count.
Preparation advice: Check SAM.gov UEI status and assign someone to manage SmartSimple. Have Phase 1’s stated information ready: organization identifiers, mission, location, budget, contact, and short summary. Use the guidelines to identify Phase 2 materials rather than guessing at attachments.
Common mistake: Assuming either published minimum is conclusive. Resolve the discrepancy before finalizing the request.
Common mistake: Counting federal funds toward the match or assuming in-kind contributions qualify. Verify eligible sources in the guidelines.
Common mistake: Leaving the selected library book and theme disconnected from the proposed activities, or scheduling work outside the published project period.
Frequently asked questions
Is the minimum award $5,000 or $15,000?
The NEA announcement and Arts Midwest overview list $5,000–$30,000; detailed eligibility text lists $15,000–$30,000. Check the full guidelines or ask Arts Midwest. The brief does not resolve the discrepancy. Arts Midwest · NEA
Does every applicant submit a full proposal?
The process is staged. All applicants start with Phase 1, and applicants approved to proceed submit Phase 2. The supplied program description does not give the selection threshold or the date Phase 1 decisions will be communicated. Arts Midwest application information
What does the match require?
At least a one-to-one nonfederal cost share. Verify eligible sources and documentation in the guidelines. Arts Midwest eligibility information
What books may a project use?
A project must be based on one of the 18 books in the 2027–2028 NEA Big Read library. Review the library through the current program materials and select one title for the project. Arts Midwest program page
When would grant activity take place?
The published project period is September 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028. Award decisions are expected in May 2027, ahead of that period. The brief does not specify the earliest allowable date for project expenses, so confirm cost timing in the full guidelines. Arts Midwest timeline
Official sources and items to verify
- NEA: Big Read introduces new books and theme “Read Like a Champion” — announcement, application opening and deadlines, expected awards, and project period.
- Arts Midwest: NEA Big Read — program overview, eligibility, application phases, match, timeline, and guidelines package.
Before submitting, verify the applicable minimum award, match rules, allowable costs, Phase 2 prompts and attachments, and reporting obligations in the current guidelines. The supplied information does not confirm the minimum, selection criteria, Phase 1 decision date, eligible in-kind match, required documents, or fiscal-sponsor eligibility. Consult the guidelines and ask Arts Midwest about unresolved points.