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NEH - 1099 - National Council on the Humanities - Statutory (Congress Created)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	National Council on the Humanities	Agency Name	National Endowment for the Humanities
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	1099
Original Establishment Date	9/29/1965	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	Yes
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	26
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	General Counsel
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix
Current Charter Date	11/17/2023	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Michael
Date Of Renewal Charter	11/17/2025	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name	P.
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	McDonald
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(202) 606-8322
Establishment Authority*	Statutory (Congress Created)	Designated Federal Officer Fax*
Specific Establishment Authority*	20 U.S.C. 957	Designated Federal Officer Email*	mmcdonald@neh.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	9/29/1965
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	Grant Review Committee

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	No
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	The NCH's objectives and scope of activities include: (1) advising the Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) with respect to policies, programs, and procedures for carrying out the Chair's functions; (2) reviewing and making recommendations to the Chair on applications for financial support submitted to NEH; and (3) advising the Chair on policies, programs, and procedures for support and gifts offered to NEH. Pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 957(f), the NEH Chair 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 Chair, who serves as NCH Chair, 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 Chair. Pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 957(d), the NCH must meet at least twice per calendar year, and at the call of the Chair. The NCH met three times during FY 2024.
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 Chair with respect to policies, programs, and procedures for carrying out the Chair's functions; and (2) reviewing and making recommendations to the Chair 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 Remarks	NA

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	No	Action Reorganize Priorities*	No
Outcome Trust In Government	No	Action Reallocate Resources	No
Outcome Major Policy Changes	No	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	No	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	Yes	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	Yes
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	No	Action Other	No
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	No	Action Comment	NA
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	No	Grants Review*	Yes
Outcome Other	No	Number Of Grants Reviewed	4,898
Outcome Comment	NA	Number Of Grants Recommended	820
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$87,365,836.00
Cost Savings Comment	NA	Grants Review Comment	NA
Number Of Recommendations*	820	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	NA	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	100.00%	Access Committee Website	No
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	NA	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	0.00%	Access Publications	No
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	NA	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	NA
Agency Feedback Comment*	Oral and written reports.	Narrative Description*	The National Council on the Humanities (NCH) is comprised of the NEH Chair 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 Chair 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 Chair 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.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*		1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*
2. Payments to Federal Members*		2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*
3. Payments to Federal Staff*		3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*
4. Payments to Consultants*		4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*		5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*		6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*		7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*		8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*
10. Other Costs		10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*
11. Total Costs	$0.00	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$0.00
Date Cost Last Modified	3/12/2025 12:10 PM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*		Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks

Interest Areas

Category Area Arts Arts and Humanities Education Schools and Academic Institutions Social Sciences History

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