National Dance Project's 30 for 30 for 30

After 30 years, NEFA’s National Dance Project (NDP) announces that the 2026 NDP Production Grant cycle will be its last. 

Founded in response to the culture wars of the early '90s, NDP was designed to link the creation and U.S. touring of new dance projects by building upon artist/presenter partnerships. The program’s ability to prioritize the needs of dance makers, increase opportunities for presenters to share dance, and support live dance experiences in communities nationwide has contributed to its indelible growth and impact. It is also why NDP is widely recognized as one of the country’s major sources of funding and field-building for dance.  

The NDP Production Grant has been a vital resource for creation and connection for the last three decades. Through a comprehensive framework of funding, this grant opportunity has supported artists/companies realize their creative visions from ideation to implementation, on stages, and in communities. To date, with generous support from the Doris Duke Foundation and the Mellon Foundation, NDP has invested more than $51.5 million in funding that has supported over 820 dance projects that have toured to all 50 states, Washington, DC, Guam, and Puerto Rico, reaching more than 3.7 million audience and community members. 

While this news is difficult to share, we remain committed to supporting dance artists, presenters, and communities with the level of care and integrity in which we approach all of NEFA’s work. In addition to stewarding this final grant cycle, the NDP Team will continue to support 60-70 previous NDP grantees who are actively touring or preparing to tour/share their NDP projects, as well as remain responsive and engaged in the development of regionally focused programming and grant opportunities. 

What’s New? 

2026 NDP Production Grant Funding 

In recognition of our 30 years of steadfast service to the field of dance, this year’s grant cycle will award 30 NDP Production Grantees and 30 NDP Finalists, an increase from the 20 Production grants and 20 Finalist awards provided in prior years. 

NDP Production Grantees will receive a framework of support totaling $75,000 as follows:  

• $45,000 to create a new dance project;
• $10,000 in unrestricted general operating support;
• $20,000 in tour subsidy that goes to U.S.* nonprofit organizations that bring the new dance project and related engagement activities to their communities. 

NDP Finalists will be awarded $10,000 in unrestricted funds to support the continued creation/development of their proposed new dance project.  

*NEFA defines U.S. as all 50 of the United States, as well as Washington D.C., American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Criteria, Eligibility, and Grantmaking Process 

As we prepare to close out this grant opportunity, we have had to make some shifts that impact our grant criteria, eligibility, and process. We encourage you to visit the updated National Dance Project Production Grant page for more details and stay tuned for our recorded informational webinar in January 2026. The recorded informational webinar will include closed captions, ASL interpretation, and a written transcript.  

In the interim, key updates for the 2026 NDP Production Grant cycle include: 

• NDP Production Grant Application: There will only be one (1) application for the 2026 NDP Production Grant cycle.
• NDP Production Grant Application Deadline: Monday, March 16, 2026 at 11:59pm EST.
• NDP Project Premiere Date and NDP Touring Period: NDP-supported projects must premiere after September 30, 2026. All project activity and use of NDP tour subsidy must be complete by December 31, 2028.
• NDP Organizational Partners & NDP Touring Partners: Applicants will be required to have a minimum of two (2) U.S. organizational partners and a minimum of two (2) U.S. touring partners to be eligible to apply. Learn more about Organizational and Touring Partners.
• NDP Panel Review Meeting: NDP Advisors will convene in July 2026 to determine the 30 NDP Production Grantees and the 30 NDP Finalists. All applicants will be notified of their application status in August 2026.
• NDP Panel Feedback: We remain dedicated to providing feedback to all applicants and finalists who do not receive the full NDP Production Grant. We believe that offering feedback is essential for strengthening future grant applications and/or securing other resources for one’s project. Feedback will be provided between October 2026 and February 2027.

What’s Next? 

Recently, NEFA was honored to receive a transformative gift from philanthropist MacKenize Scott. The gift represents an investment in our long-term vision and sustainability, strengthening NEFA’s capacity as a social impact organization committed to the vitality of the arts through grantmaking, partnerships, and advocacy.   

As we prepare to celebrate NEFA’s 50th Anniversary, and implement our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, A Mission Forged in Collaboration, "we've begun conversations about a multimillion-dollar investment in regional needs and opportunities and leveraging this gift to seed the next iteration of our national work, while remaining engaged in emerging international conversations and partnerships,” said NEFA’s executive director Harold Steward. “This historic gift affirms NEFA’s position to stay committed to our mission and values during these turbulent times, together with other collaborative partners.”   

We look forward to what’s to come!