This document offers information related to the lawsuit filed by American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), American Historical Association (AHA), and Modern Language Association (MLA), opposing the illegal dismantling of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). This document was prepared by ACLS, AHA, MLA, National Humanities Alliance (NHA), and Phi Beta Kappa Society. For other inquiries, please email alevy@historians.org.
Does the court’s 7 May 2026 ruling in favor of the plaintiffs mean the lawsuit is over?
The judgment by the US district court was centered on the termination of grants and affirmed that the mass termination was “in violation of the First Amendment, in violation of the equal protection component of the Fifth Amendment, and without statutory authority.” We continue to pursue an appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on claims regarding closing NEH offices and eliminating programs. The oral arguments for that appeal will be held on 29 May.
What does the court’s order mean for my award?
The court enjoined defendants from enforcing or giving effect to the mass termination of NEH grants and ordered defendants to rescind the termination notices sent to grantees and to treat those notices as without legal effect. The court also ordered the government to provide written notice of its order to all affected grant recipients.
How can I find out if my grant was flagged as “DEI”?
The discovery materials released by the court on 6 March 2026 include a spreadsheet that shows whether a grant was flagged as high/medium/low or N/A for “DEI Involvement” and a spreadsheet showing DOGE’s review of grants for “DEI.” Both spreadsheets are available to review as part of the newly released discovery materials.
Should I contact my Congressional representatives and urge them to support the NEH?
! We need Congress to reaffirm its support for the NEH and underscore its intent by appropriating funding for it. Use this form to look up your elected officials and share any actions you’d like your representatives to take related to the future to the NEH. Visit the NEH For All website to learn more about the impact of the NEH across the United States.
The NEH terminated a grant that my organization or I had been awarded. Can my organization join the lawsuit, or can I join it as an individual?
The suit has been filed, and we are not taking additional plaintiffs in the interest of expediency. After an extensive evaluation of potential pathways, we determined this suit is the most expeditious and effective course for reversing the administration’s actions, including the elimination of grant programs, staff, and entire divisions and programs.
If successful, will this suit restore my grant funding?
The suit aims to restore the NEH’s grant programs, divisions, and staff capacity. It is possible that some or even most grants could be restored as part of the suit.
Why didn’t you bring a class action lawsuit to restore cancelled grants?
We determined that bringing this suit in the manner that we have is the most efficient and straightforward way to obtain swift relief on behalf of all of those who benefit from NEH and its programs.
Why are ACLS, AHA, and MLA the plaintiffs in the lawsuit?
ACLS, AHA, and MLA are organizations represented on the NHA executive committee. All three organizations helped to found NHA in 1981 to allow humanities organizations to speak with one voice in support of the National Endowment for the Humanities. As organizations with cancelled grants, ACLS, AHA, and MLA have standing to bring this suit.
Which other organizations are involved in the lawsuit?
The Phi Beta Kappa Society and the NHA have played advisory and coordinating roles in developing the suit.
Why was the suit filed in New York?
Two of the plaintiffs are located in New York City, and that is why we filed there.
My NEH grant was terminated. Where can I learn about what other NEH grants were terminated?
Drawing on multiple sources, the Association for Computers and the Humanities has created what we believe is the most comprehensive database of cancelled grants. Access the database.
Why are some individuals and their grants mentioned in the lawsuit?
As membership organizations, ACLS, AHA, and MLA can demonstrate standing in the suit by documenting how at least one of their members has been harmed by the NEH’s actions.
Are there additional resources for those with cancelled grants?
NEH General Terms and Conditions for Awards to Organizations (for grants and cooperative agreements issued between January 1, 2022, and September 30, 2024)
Resources from the Information Exchange about the NEH Appeal Process
MLA Appeal Strategies for NEH Terminated Grants
What other actions can I take now to support the NEH?
The AHA needs your support for this and other advocacy efforts, in Washington and in the states on behalf of social studies education. Please join our community of members and donors. Join or donate today.
On April 4, 2025, the AHA released a statement condemning the evisceration of the National Endowment for the Humanities, as the current administration’s Department of Government Efficiency has terminated hundreds of grants and put 75 percent of staff on leave. “The NEH and the grants it administers nourish our democracy through research, education, preservation, institutional capacity building, and public programming in the humanities for the benefit of the American people,” the statement reads. “This frontal attack on the nation’s public culture is unpatriotic, anti-American, and unjustified.”
We encourage AHA members to contact your congressional representatives today through the NHA’s action alert and urge them to save the NEH. If you or your organization has been affected by NEH grant terminations, please complete this form.