Delaware Humanities closes grant applications due to recent DOGE cuts

Delaware Humanities has suspended all grant applications following deep federal budget cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), ordered by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Last week, we reported on the open grant opportunities from Delaware Humanities — a vital source of funding for cultural, historical, and educational initiatives across the state. 

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Unfortunately, Delaware Humanities has announced the closure of its grant application process. The change comes in direct response to federal budget cuts ordered by DOGE, which were implemented last week.

Humanities councils across the country, including Delaware Humanities, received notice of these cuts through emails and letters sent on the early morning of April 3rd notifying them of the termination of funding, effective April 1st.

As Delaware’s state affiliate of the NEH, Delaware Humanities relies on federal funding to support its programming. The recent DOGE-led reductions to the NEH budget have been substantial, forcing the organization to suspend all current and future grant cycles.

DOGE, a federal agency created to streamline government operations, has  slashed budgets across numerous agencies, including an estimated 80% staffing cut at the NEH and the cancellation of more than 1,200 grants nationwide. 

“We want to be clear: this situation is unusual and unprecedented,” Delaware Humanities wrote in a statement.

Despite the cuts, Delaware Humanities affirmed its ongoing commitment to its mission:

“As we navigate these abrupt changes, we are evaluating the next steps on how to best support our partners. However, we will remain steadfast in our mission to strengthen our communities by connecting Delawareans through the diversity of human experiences.”