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National Humanities Alliance (NHA)

Funding for political science research and education stems from a variety of government funds and initiatives, from the National Science Foundation to the National Endowment for Humanities. To advocate for the protection and increase of funding in the humanities arena, APSA partners with the National Humanities Alliance. The NHA is coalition of organizations that advocates for federal funding for humanities research, teaching, programming, and preservation and access.

NHA monitors and cultivates support for the following agencies and programs:
About the National Humanities Alliance

The National Humanities Alliance (NHA) is a coalition dedicated to the advancement of humanities education, research, preservation, and public programs. NHA is supported by more than 140 national, state, and local member organizations and institutions, including:
  • scholarly and professional associations
  • higher education associations
  • organizations of museums, libraries, historical societies and state humanities councils
  • university-based and independent humanities research centers
  • colleges and universities
NHA brings the United States humanities community together as a whole to champion effectively the importance of the humanities in Washington, DC and in communities around the country. The staff of the National Humanities Alliance works year-round to leverage relationships in the executive and legislative branches of the federal government to promote policies that advance humanities research, programming, preservation, and teaching. Much of their work focuses specifically on Congressional appropriators to ensure adequate funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Department of Education’s foreign language and international education programs, and various other funding streams that support the work of humanities scholars and professionals around the country. A list of policy priorities can be found on the NHA website.

NHA Facilitates Direct Advocacy
It is essential that Members of Congress also hear directly from their constituents. NHA facilitates this process in the following ways:

Annual Meeting and Humanities Advocacy Day
On the first day of this two-day event, participants connect with a growing network of humanities leaders from around the country and highlight best practices for communicating the value of humanities research, education, programming, and preservation to Members of Congress. On the second day—Humanities Advocacy Day—participants visit members of Congressional delegations from their state to discuss the impact of their work and make the case for federal support for the humanities. NHA provide these advocates with key briefing materials targeted to particular states and districts. These visits, and follow-up correspondences, build essential relationships with congressional offices.

Action Alerts
When a high volume of constituent letters promises to sway Congressional opinions on a pressing legislative issue, NHA issues action alerts to its members, to its large mailing list of advocates, and on social media. Action alerts make it very simple to write emails to, tweet at, or post on the Facebook walls of Members of Congress. NHA ensures that the Members receive a well-reasoned letter that makes the case for humanities programs and funding.

Year-Round Advocacy
NHA facilitates year round advocacy, offering its members tips on how and when to engage district offices. NHA also schedules Hill meetings for its members year round—whenever they visit DC—and provides resources to maximize the efficacy of those meetings.

More information on NHA’s activities and benefits to members can be found on the NHA website.