On February 14, President Obama asked Congress for $146.2 million to fund the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for fiscal year (FY) 2012, a $21.3 million cut from the FY 10 appropriated level of $167.5 million.

The President’s request includes:

$102,700,000 for the Endowment’s grant programs in support of research, preservation, public programming, and teaching in the humanities, including:

• $40,100,000 for the operations, projects, and programs of the 56 state and territorial humanities councils;
• $4,000,000 to support NEH’s special initiative—Bridging Cultures—that will enhance Americans’ understanding of the nation’s rich cultural heritage, as well as the cultural complexity of the world in which we live;
• $11,500,000 in funds to help stimulate and match private donations in support of humanities institutions and organizations; and
• $28,055,000 for salaries and expenses needed to operate the agency.

FY 12 Proposed NEH Funding by Program (FY 12 proposed vs. FY 10 enacted)
(Amounts in thousands)

• $4,000 – Bridging Cultures (new initiative) +$4,000
• $40,100 – Federal/State partnership ($40,370) -$270
• $15,600 – Preservation and access ($17,116) -$1,516
• $13,800 – Public programs ($15,616) -$1,816
• $14,900 – Research programs ($16,866) -$1,966
• $13,500 – Education programs ($15,616) -$2,066
• $500 – Program development ($750) -$250
• $0 – We The People Initiative grants ($14,500) -$14,500
• $4,250 – Digital Humanities Initiatives ($4,866) -$616

$106,700—Subtotal Definite Funds————-($125,700) -$19,000

• $2,750 – Treasury funds ($4,800) -$2,050
• $8,750 – Challenge grants ($9,500) -$750

$14,050– Subtotal Indefinite Funds—-($14,300) -$250

$28,055 – Administration ($27,500) +$555

$146,255 – TOTAL HUMANITIES ($167,500) -$21,245