The NEA Research Labs program is a funding
opportunity under the NEA’s Research Awards portfolio. The program funds projects
(referred to herein as NEA Research Labs, or Labs) that support transdisciplinary
research teams to build public knowledge about the arts and their contributions
to individuals, communities, and society at large. Recipients will develop a
multi-year research agenda, conduct multiple research studies, and develop a suite
of products or services (e.g., a website, research papers, workshops, or evidence-based
tools) of value not only to arts researchers, but also to practitioners in the
arts and other sectors such as healthcare, education, and business or
management. NEA Research Lab awards may have a period of performance of between
24 and 30 months, with the possibility of one subsequent renewal award, subject
to agency priorities, the availability of funds, recipient performance, and the
agency’s regular review process. As part of the multi-year research agenda, applicants
must propose a plan for sustaining the research after the conclusion of the NEA
supported activities.

The NEA welcomes proposals that align with the following
priority research area and one or more detailed questions within it, as suggested
by the agency’s FY 2022-2026 research
agenda.

The priority research area is:

·        
What are
measurable impacts of the arts on the following outcome areas: health and
wellness for individuals; cognition and learning; and U.S. economic growth and/or
civic or business innovation? Under what conditions do such impacts occur,
through what mechanisms, and for which populations and/or sectors?

We aim to make arts-relevant research a shared endeavor
(with shared benefits) for academic researchers, arts practitioners,
stakeholders, and the greater public. Accordingly, the
NEA Research Labs program requires a confirmed partnership at the time of
application between the lead applicant organization and at least one “arts
partner,” defined as either (a) an arts organization or (b) an individual
artist or culture bearer.
The arts partner is expected to contribute substantially to the NEA Research
Lab. Applications that do not include an arts partner are ineligible for
Research Labs awards.