NEA Big Read

Now Accepting Applications: 2025-26 NEA Big Read
Applications are open for the NEA Big Read, a national program that offers matching grants of up to $20,000 to support community-wide reading programs.

This year, NEA is excited to introduce a new theme, “Our Nature: How Our Physical Environment Can Lead Us to Seek Hope, Courage, and Connection.” The 22 books that applicants can choose to program all explore our relationship with the physical environment.

About the NEA Big Read
What is it? The NEA Big Read is a reading program that brings communities together around the theme “Our Nature,” using one of 22 available books as inspiration.

Who can apply? Nonprofit arts organizations, universities, libraries, service organizations, museums, school districts, and tribal governments are all encouraged to apply.

Where? Organizations must be located and operate within the United States, U.S. Territories, or the Native Nations that share this geography.

Requirements

Eligibility information is available here: https://artsmidwest.org/get-support/nea-big-read/

Application Instructions

A mandatory Intent to Apply is due January 23, 2025, with final applications due January 30, 2025. Funded programs will take place between September 2025 and June 2026.