National Art Education Foundation (NAEF) Funding Opportunities
The National Art Education Association is the leading professional organization for visual arts educators in the United States. NAEA advances art education through professional development, research, advocacy, publications, and grantmaking, serving educators, researchers, museum professionals, and community organizations working across K–12, higher education, and informal learning environments.
The NAEF Research Grant Program is the most directly relevant funding opportunity for NeuroArts-related work. The program supports research that advances knowledge in art education and investigates how arts engagement influences learning, cognition, social-emotional development, well-being, and human experience. Projects exploring arts and mental health, creativity and cognition, arts-based interventions, creative aging, social connection, trauma-informed arts programming, or arts-health outcomes are particularly aligned with NeuroArts principles.
Who Can Apply?
- NAEA members
- Individual researchers
- University faculty
- Graduate students
- Museum educators
- Arts education professionals
- Collaborative research teams
Funding Amount
- Awards generally range from $1,000–$10,000
- Funding supports research expenses, data collection, project implementation, and dissemination.
Previous Funded Projects Relevant to NeuroArts
Past NAEF-funded projects have explored:
- Arts and social-emotional learning
- Creativity and cognitive development
- Arts participation and student well-being
- Museum-based learning and engagement
- Trauma-informed art education
- Community arts and identity development
- Arts access and inclusion
- Arts learning across the lifespan
Eligibility Criteria
Projects should:
- Contribute new knowledge to the field
- Demonstrate clear research methodology
- Have relevance to art education and learning
- Include plans for dissemination of findings
- Align with NAEA and NAEF priorities
Upcoming Cycle
- Applications are typically released annually.
- The next cycle is expected to open in late 2026 for 2027 funding.
- Applicants should monitor the NAEF Grants page for updated deadlines and guidelines.
How to Apply
Applicants submit a research proposal, project narrative, budget, timeline, and supporting materials through the NAEF grants portal.
Additional NeuroArts-Relevant NAEF Opportunities
Marylou Kuhn Memorial Grant
Supports projects that promote innovative approaches to art education and student engagement. While not specifically focused on health, the grant can support arts-based programs that foster emotional expression, resilience, social connection, and creative development.
School for Art Leaders Grant
Provides support for professional development and leadership training for art educators. NeuroArts researchers and practitioners working within educational settings may find opportunities to strengthen arts-health and arts-learning initiatives through this program.
NAEA Mini-Grants and Special Project Grants
Periodic special funding opportunities support:
- Community engagement projects
- Innovative teaching practices
- Equity and access initiatives
- Arts integration programs
- Research and evaluation activities