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Note: An Annual Comprehensive Review, as required by §7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, is conducted each year on committee data entered for the previous fiscal year (referred to as the reporting year). The data for the reporting year is not considered verified until this review is complete and the data is moved to history for an agency/department. See the Data From Previous Years section at the bottom of this page for the committee’s historical, verified data.

Details on agency responses to committee recommendations can be found under the Performance Measures section for each committee in the fields “Agency Feedback” and “Agency Feedback Comment.”


NEH - 1099 - National Council on the Humanities - Statutory (Congress Created)
Hide Section - GENERAL INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee NameNational Council on the HumanitiesAgency NameNational Endowment for the Humanities
Fiscal Year2021Committee Number1099
Original Establishment Date9/29/1965Committee StatusChartered
Actual Termination Date Committee URL 
New Committee This FYNoPresidential Appointments*Yes
Terminated This FYNoMax Number of Members*26
Current Charter Date11/22/2019Designated Fed Officer Position Title*General Counsel
Date Of Renewal Charter11/22/2021Designated Federal Officer Prefix
Projected Termination Date Designated Federal Officer First Name*Michael
Exempt From Renewal*NoDesignated Federal Officer Middle NameP.
Specific Termination AuthorityDesignated Federal Officer Last Name*McDonald
Establishment Authority*Statutory (Congress Created)Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Establishment Authority*20 U.S.C. 957Designated Federal Officer Phone*(202) 606-8322
Effective Date Of Authority*9/29/1965Designated Federal Officer Fax*
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary CmteNot ApplicableDesignated Federal Officer Email*mmcdonald@neh.gov
Committee Type*Continuing
Presidential*No
Committee Function*Grant Review Committee
Hide Section - RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*Continue
Legislation to Terminate RequiredNo
Legislation StatusNot Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*The NCH's objectives and scope of activities include: (1) advising the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) with respect to policies, programs, and procedures for carrying out the Chairman's functions; (2) reviewing and making recommendations to the Chairman on applications for financial support submitted to NEH; and (3) advising the Chairman on policies, programs, and procedures for support and gifts offered to NEH. Pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 957(f), the NEH Chairman cannot make any grant in excess of $30,000 until he/she has received a recommendation thereon from the National Council on the Humanities (NCH). Therefore, NEH would be unable to carry out its main activity, grant-making, without recommendations from the NCH.
How is membership balanced?*Pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 957(b), the NCH is composed of the NEH Chairman, who serves as NCH Chairman, and twenty-six other President-appointed, Senate-confirmed members. These other members are private U.S. citizens who (1) are recognized for their broad knowledge of, expertise in, or commitment to the humanities; and (2) have established records of distinguished service and scholarship or creativity in a manner which will provide a comprehensive representation of the views of scholars and professional practitioners in the humanities and of the public throughout the U.S. In making appointments, the President may consider recommendations from national organizations concerned with the humanities. Additionally, the President must give due regard to equitable representation of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities who are involved in the humanities.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*The NCH generally meets three times per calendar year, to formally convey its recommendations and advice to the NEH Chairman. Pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 957(d), the NCH must meet at least twice per calendar year, and at the call of the Chairman. The NCH met five times during FY 2020.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*Because of the structure established under 20 U.S.C. 957, no other source may fulfill the NCH's function, nor provide the advice or information the NCH provides.
Why close or partially close meetings?Pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 957(f), the NCH is responsible for (1) advising the NEH Chairman with respect to policies, programs, and procedures for carrying out the Chairman's functions; and (2) reviewing and making recommendations to the Chairman on applications for financial support submitted to NEH. The portion of NCH meetings involving the first of these responsibilities are open to the public. The portion of NCH meetings involving the review of grant applications are closed to the public because they include discussion of personal, commercial, and/or financial information given in confidence by grant applicants to the NEH.
Recommendation RemarksNA
Hide Section - PERFORMANCE MEASURES

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*NoAction Reorganize Priorities*No
Outcome Trust In GovernmentNoAction Reallocate ResourcesNo
Outcome Major Policy ChangesNoAction Issued New RegulationsNo
Outcome Advance In Scientific ResearchNoAction Proposed LegislationNo
Outcome Effective Grant MakingYesAction Approved Grants Or Other PaymentsYes
Outcome Improved Service DeliveryNoAction OtherNo
Outcome Increased Customer SatisfactionNoAction CommentNA
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg RequirementsNoGrants Review*Yes
Outcome OtherNoNumber Of Grants Reviewed6,825
Outcome CommentNANumber Of Grants Recommended1,058
Cost Savings*Unable to DetermineDollar Value Of Grants Recommended$98,987,194.00
Cost Savings CommentNAGrants Review CommentNA
Number Of Recommendations*6,825Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*Yes
Number Of Recommendations CommentNAAccess Agency WebsiteYes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*99.00%Access Committee WebsiteNo
% of Recs Fully Implemented CommentNAAccess GSA FACA WebsiteYes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*1.00%Access PublicationsNo
% of Recs Partially Implemented CommentNAAccess OtherNo
Agency Feedback*YesAccess CommentNA
Agency Feedback Comment*Oral and written reports.Narrative Description*The National Council on the Humanities (NCH) is comprised of the NEH Chairman and twenty-six distinguished private citizens who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The NCH supports NEH's mission by advising the NEH Chairman with respect to the grants NEH awards to cultural institutions (such as museums, archives, libraries, colleges, universities, public television, and radio stations) and to individual scholars. The NCH supports NEH's strategic plan by providing the Chairman with continuing advice on how best to: strengthen teaching and learning about the humanities in schools and colleges across the nation; facilitate research and original scholarship; provide opportunities for lifelong learning; preserve and provide access to cultural and educational resources; and strengthen the institutional base of the humanities.
Hide Section - COSTS

COSTS

Payments to Non-Federal Members* Est Payments to Non-Fed Members Next FY* 
Payments to Federal Members* Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY* 
Payments to Federal Staff* Estimated Payments to Federal Staff* 
Payments to Consultants* Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY* 
Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Members* Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Members nextFY* 
Travel Reimb. For Federal Members* Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members* 
Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff* Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staff Next FY* 
Travel Reimb. For Consultants* Est Travel Reimb to Consultants Next FY* 
Other Costs Est. Other Costs Next FY* 
Total Costs$0.00Est. Total Next FY*$0.00
Date Cost Last Modified Federal Staff Support (FTE)* 
Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY* Cost Remarks
Est Cost Remarks  
Hide Section - Interest Areas

Interest Areas

Category
Area
Arts
Arts and Humanities
Education
Schools and Academic Institutions
Social Sciences
History
Hide Section - MEMBERS,MEETINGS AND ADVISORY REPORTS

MEMBERS,MEETINGS AND ADVISORY REPORTS

To View all the members, meetings and advisory reports for this committee please click here
Hide Section - CHARTERS AND RELATED DOCS

CHARTERS AND RELATED DOCS

No Documents Found
Hide Section - DATA FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

DATA FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

Committee

Data from Previous Years

 
ActionCommittee System IDCommittee NameFiscal Year
 COM-037332National Council on the Humanities2020
 COM-035116National Council on the Humanities2019
 COM-033658National Council on the Humanities2018
 COM-002050National Council on the Humanities2017
 COM-002216National Council on the Humanities2016
 COM-003896National Council on the Humanities2015
 COM-004653National Council on the Humanities2014
 COM-006185National Council on the Humanities2013
 COM-006662National Council on the Humanities2012
 COM-008421National Council on the Humanities2011
 COM-008640National Council on the Humanities2010
 COM-010455National Council on the Humanities2009
 COM-010657National Council on the Humanities2008
 COM-012281National Council on the Humanities2007
 COM-012447National Council on the Humanities2006
 COM-013884National Council on the Humanities2005
 COM-014632National Council on the Humanities2004
 COM-016088National Council on the Humanities2003
 COM-016282National Council on the Humanities2002
 COM-018133National Council on the Humanities2001
 COM-018229National Council on the Humanities2000
 COM-020004National Council on the Humanities1999
 COM-020208National Council on the Humanities1998
 COM-021955National Council on the Humanities1997