These grants support community reading programs designed around a single NEA Big Read book. As our nation moves into its 250^th year, the goal of this program is to honor America’s rich artistic and cultural heritage, inspire meaningful conversations, celebrate local creativity, elevate a wide variety of voices and perspectives, and build stronger connections in each community.

Grantees will receive funding for their programming and purchasing books, and tools to support them in working with local partners, developing public relations strategies, and leading meaningful book discussions.

NEA Big Read programs vary and can be as short as a week or as long as several months. Beyond discussions of the book, organizations may choose to include a kick-off event, invite the author for a visit, or have other events inspired by the content and themes of the book. These may include panel discussions, lectures, film screenings, art exhibitions, theatrical and musical performances, poetry slams, writing workshops and contests, and community storytelling events.

Programming for the 2026-2027 grant cycle will center around the theme America250.

The deadline to submit an Intent to Apply is January 15, 2026. Full applications are due January 29, 2026.

Learn more.

The NEA Big Read broadens our understanding of ourselves and our neighbors through the power of a shared reading experience. The goal of this program is to inspire meaningful conversations, celebrate local creativity, elevate a wide variety of voices and perspectives, and build stronger connections in each community.

In addition to funding for purchasing the books themselves, each grant recipient is provided with resources to help them succeed. That includes outreach materials to gather people from all walks of life and training on how to work with local partners, how to develop public relations strategies, and how to lead meaningful book discussions.

NEA Big Read programs vary and can be as short as a week or as long as several months. Beyond discussions of the book, organizations may choose to include a kick-off event, invite the author for a visit, or have other events inspired by the content and themes of the book, including panel discussions, lectures, film screenings, art exhibitions, theatrical and musical performances, poetry slams, writing workshops and contests, and community storytelling events.

Programming for the 2025-2026 grant cycle will center around the theme OUR NATURE: How Our Physical Environment Can Lead Us to Seek Hope, Courage, and Connection.

22 titles are available in the NEA Big Read Library to inspire community programming this cycle. Each title explores in some way our relationship with the physical environment. Applicants will facilitate book discussions, writing workshops, and creative programming activities that explore this theme and celebrate the unique aspects of their communities.

Submit your Intent to Apply by January 23, 2025 and complete and submit the application form by January 30, 2025.

Learn more and apply.

Studies have shown that reading for pleasure has positive impact on one’s health and can provide entertainment and connection to community members in a time of isolation. The NEA Big Read is a community engagement opportunity through which grants of up to $20,000 are awarded in support of community-wide reading programs (virtual and/or in-person) that take place between September 2021 and June 2022. Organizations can choose one of six available books — An American Sunrise, by Joy Harjo; Beloved, by Toni Morrison; The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir, by Thi Bui; The Call of the Wild, White Fang, and Other Stories, by Jack London; The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck; and The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros — and can also tie in thematically-related books of their choice to expand the program’s potential and reach a wider audience.

Eligible organizations include arts organizations, community service organizations, institutions of higher education, libraries, literary centers, museums, school districts, theater companies, tribal governments, and more.

To be eligible for a grant, applicants must have a proven track record of successfully engaging their audiences through the power of literature and catalyzing a passion for reading that endures year after year.  They also must have developed meaningful and lasting partnerships with other organizations in their community.

Arts Midwest will be hosting a webinar for interested applicants on November 12 at 1:00 p.m. ET. (Registration required.)

For additional information, see the Arts Midwest website.

Link to complete RFP.