Your Guide to Funding Digital Arts and Humanities Projects in 2026

In a world increasingly driven by technology, the arts and humanities are finding powerful new ways to create, research, and connect with audiences.

From interactive museum exhibits and digital archives to AI-powered artistic works, the need for funding to support these innovative projects has never been greater.

But navigating the grant landscape for digital-focused work can be a significant challenge.

Many researchers, nonprofit leaders, and digital artists struggle to identify funders who truly understand and value technology's role in the humanities.

That's why we've done the heavy lifting.

This guide provides a curated list of verified, high-value grants specifically for digital projects in the arts and humanities, complete with official deadlines in 2026, direct application links, and the insights you need to build a winning proposal.

Verified Grants for Digital Projects with 2026 Deadlines

Below are top-tier funding opportunities from federal agencies and major foundations.

Each grant has been verified for its active status, official source, and future deadline.

Act quickly, as these respected programs are highly competitive.

1. National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) — Digital Humanities Advancement Grants

The NEH's Digital Humanities Advancement Grants (DHAG) program is a cornerstone for funding innovative digital projects.

It supports the implementation of digital humanities projects that have successfully completed a start-up phase, as well as research that explores the use of emerging technologies in the humanities.

  • Official Grant Name: Digital Humanities Advancement Grants
  • Funding Amount: Up to $350,000
  • Key Eligibility: U.S. nonprofit organizations, accredited institutions of higher education, state and local governmental agencies, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments.

The program encourages collaboration between scholars, librarians, and technology experts.

  • What They Fund: Projects that are experimental, computationally based, or explore new digital methods for humanities research, teaching, and public engagement.

This includes software development, digital publications, and research on the impact of technology on the humanities.

2. National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) — Grants for Arts Projects (Media Arts)

The NEA's flagship program, Grants for Arts Projects, offers specific funding through its Media Arts category for projects that use technology as an artistic medium.

This is an essential source for artists and organizations creating everything from interactive installations to digital films.

  • Official Grant Name: Grants for Arts Projects - Media Arts
  • Funding Amount: $10,000 to $100,000
  • Key Eligibility: U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, units of state or local government, and federally recognized tribal communities. A three-year history of arts programming is required.
  • What They Fund: Development, production, and distribution of artworks that use electronic media, film, video, sound, and other digital technologies.

This includes interactive art, media installations, and projects that engage the public through technology.

3. Knight Arts + Tech Fellowship

The Knight Foundation is a leader in funding projects at the intersection of arts and technology.

This fellowship is designed to support individual artists who are using technology to push creative boundaries and connect people to new ideas and to each other.

  • Official Grant Name: Knight Arts + Tech Fellowship
  • Funding Amount: $50,000 unrestricted award per fellow
  • Key Eligibility: Open to individual artists.

Applicants should demonstrate a track record of creating compelling work with technology and a clear vision for how the fellowship will advance their practice.

  • What They Fund: The fellowship is about supporting the artist, not a single project.

It funds visionary individuals whose work demonstrates artistic excellence and incorporates technology in innovative ways to engage communities.

4. American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) — Digital Justice Grants

The ACLS Digital Justice Grants are designed to support digital humanities projects that advance social and racial justice.

This program is ideal for projects that use digital methods to amplify underrepresented voices, histories, and cultures.

  • Official Grant Name: ACLS Digital Justice Grants
  • Funding Amount: Up to $150,000
  • Key Eligibility: U.S.-based institutions of higher education and nonprofit research organizations.

Projects must be led by a team of two or more scholars, with at least one collaborator holding a PhD in the humanities or humanistic social sciences.

  • What They Fund: Collaborative projects that use digital tools to address inequalities, promote social justice, and recover marginalized histories.

This can include community-based digital archives, data visualization projects, and critical digital tool development.

3 Essential Tips for a Winning Digital Project Grant Proposal

Securing funding for a technology-focused arts or humanities project requires a unique approach.

Reviewers need to understand not just the artistic or scholarly merit but also the technical feasibility and long-term impact.

  1. Clearly Define Your 'Why' and Your 'How'. Don't get lost in technical jargon.

Start by articulating the core humanistic question or artistic vision. Why does this project matter? Who will it serve? Then, explain how technology is the essential tool to achieve that vision.

Your proposal must demonstrate that the technology isn't just a gimmick but an integral part of the project's success.

  1. Showcase a Strong, Collaborative Team. Digital projects are rarely a solo effort.

Your application should highlight the expertise of your team, including scholars, artists, technologists, librarians, and community partners. A proposal that demonstrates a strong collaboration between subject matter experts and technical experts is far more likely to be seen as viable.

  1. Address Sustainability and Accessibility. What happens to your digital project after the grant money runs out? Funders are increasingly focused on long-term sustainability.

Outline a clear plan for maintaining the project, whether it's through institutional support, open-source code, or a plan for data preservation.

Similarly, ensure your project is accessible to a wide audience, including people with disabilities, by adhering to standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).