NEA Research Labs

Overview

<p>The NEA Research Labs program offers grant funding for longer-term research agendas. These agendas will include multiple research studies and activities that build and inform the field throughout the life of an NEA Research Lab. Each NEA Research Lab will design a transdisciplinary research agenda, conduct project activities to execute that agenda, and prepare and disseminate reports and other products or services that will contribute substantively to a wider understanding of one of three areas of special interest to the NEA:</p> <ul> <li><strong>The Arts, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation</strong></li> <li><strong>The Arts, Creativity, Cognition, and Learning</strong></li> <li><strong>The Arts, Health, and Social/Emotional Well-Being</strong></li> </ul> <p>NEA Research Labs serve as “hubs” or centers of excellence in the domain of interest. Each NEA Research Lab will develop a pipeline of projects or products, including a website, while conducting at least one major study.</p> <p>Each NEA Research Lab will design and execute the following:</p> <ul> <li>Research Agenda</li> <li>Keystone Study, and</li> <li>Related Activities</li> </ul> <p>Create an interdisciplinary core team of researchers of at least two different research disciplines to engage in all aspects of the NEA Research Lab. We encourage teams that include research personnel at various stages in their career (e.g., tenured professors, mid-career professionals, early-career professionals, graduate students, and postdocs).</p> <p>As part of the multiyear Research Lab agenda and within the initial award’s period of performance, conduct a keystone study or series of studies that addresses at least two key research questions under the topic area selected above.</p> <p>Across all these potential research topic areas, the NEA is especially interested in understanding the following dynamics: the arts’ role in the healing and revitalization of communities; diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the arts; and the evolving arts ecology in the U.S. (arts organizations, venues, and places of arts learning; artists and other cultural workers; and arts consumers and learners).</p> <p>As part of the multiyear research agenda, applicants must propose a plan for sustainability of the NEA Research Lab beyond the initial award’s period of performance, including any potential plans to continue studies beyond the initial award’s period of performance, and/or a pipeline of studies that the NEA Research Lab would start after the initial award’s period of performance.</p>