Mayors' Institute on City Design (MICD), FY 2026 | NEAPS2502

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the Mayors' Institute on City Design (MICD), FY 2026 funding opportunity?

The Mayors' Institute on City Design (MICD), FY 2026 is a discretionary federal funding opportunity from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). It supports work in the arts with a strong emphasis on city design.

2) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

3) What is the official title and funding opportunity number?

The formal title is "Mayors' Institute on City Design (MICD), FY 2026." The funding opportunity number is NEAPS2502.

4) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 45.024.

5) What type of funding instrument is being used?

The program is offered through a cooperative agreement.

6) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement (instead of a standard grant)?

Because it is a cooperative agreement, the NEA typically expects to be actively involved during the project period rather than issuing an award and stepping back. In practical terms, the selected awardee should expect close collaboration with the NEA while organizing and delivering MICD activities.

7) What is the funding activity/category for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under the Arts funding activity category.

8) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes public-sector entities, education-related public entities, eligible tribal entities, nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status that are not institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education.

9) Are state governments eligible to apply?

Yes. State governments are listed as eligible applicants.

10) Are county governments eligible to apply?

Yes. County governments are listed as eligible applicants.

11) Are city or township governments eligible to apply?

Yes. City or township governments are listed as eligible applicants.

12) Are special district governments eligible to apply?

Yes. Special district governments are listed as eligible applicants.

13) Are independent school districts eligible to apply?

Yes. Independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.

14) Are public or state-controlled institutions of higher education eligible to apply?

Yes. Public or state-controlled institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.

15) Are private institutions of higher education eligible to apply?

Yes. Private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.

16) Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status that are not institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.

17) Are federally recognized tribal governments eligible to apply?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are included in the eligible applicant types.

18) Are Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments eligible?

Yes. Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments are included in the eligible applicant types.

19) How many awards does the NEA expect to make under this opportunity?

The opportunity forecasts one award total.

20) What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The maximum award amount is $540,000.

21) Is this opportunity intended to fund multiple local projects, or a single national operator?

Based on the forecast of a single anticipated award and the cooperative agreement structure, the NEA appears to expect one organization to carry out the work at a national level rather than distributing multiple smaller awards to many recipients.

22) What kind of role is the selected awardee likely to play?

The selected applicant will likely serve as the primary operator or managing partner responsible for organizing, coordinating, and delivering MICD activities in close collaboration with the NEA.

23) When was this funding opportunity created?

The listing indicates the opportunity was created on December 4, 2025.

24) What is the application deadline?

The original application closing date is January 22, 2026.

25) Should applicants rely on the posted deadline as final?

Applicants should treat January 22, 2026 as the main cutoff for submission unless an official amendment or extension is issued by the agency.

26) Where do applicants find the detailed requirements and instructions?

The posted description references "Program Guidelines and Application Instructions." The core requirements, selection criteria, deliverables, compliance expectations, and submission steps are expected to be contained in the official guideline document associated with the opportunity.

27) What kinds of details are likely covered in the Program Guidelines and Application Instructions?

Based on the description, the guidelines are expected to spell out the intended purpose of MICD for FY 2026, the scope of work the NEA expects under the cooperative agreement, how applications will be evaluated, what attachments or forms must be included, and any conditions tied to federal funding.

28) What is the overall focus of the MICD program?

The program supports work in the arts with a strong emphasis on city design, and is framed as a design leadership-focused effort for mayors and city decision-makers.