Lilly Endowment is pleased to invite selected museums and cultural organizations in the United States to participate in the fifth round of the Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative (RCII). Through this endeavor, the Endowment seeks to assist major museums and cultural organizations located in the United States in mounting exhibitions and conducting educational programs, as well as engaging in other activities, to strengthen their capacities to provide fair, accurate and balanced portrayals of the role religion has played and continues to play in the United States and around the globe.

The primary aim of RCII is to improve public understanding of religion and thus foster greater knowledge of and respect for people from a broad range of religious traditions. The Endowment anticipates awarding grants totaling up to $48 million to museums and cultural organizations

Invited museums and cultural organizations may submit proposals through a two-phase process.

  1. Planning Grant Proposals: In the first phase, invited organizations may submit proposals for planning grants of up to $100,000 each that may be used for up to a one-year period. Planning grant proposals are due to the Endowment by Monday, November 9, 2026. The Endowment anticipates announcing planning grant awards in December 2026.
  2. Implementation Grant Proposals: In the second phase, organizations may submit proposals for implementation grants of up to $2.5 million each that may be used for up to a five-year period to execute the plans. Implementation proposals are due to the Endowment by Monday, August 2, 2027. The Endowment anticipates announcing implementation grant awards in December 2027.

How to Submit a Proposal

Invited organizations must submit proposal materials as described in the Request for Proposals as a single PDF through the RCII Round 5 Planning Grant Proposal Submission Form below. Please note that a confirmation email will be sent after submission. If you do not receive a confirmation, please email religionandmuseums@lei.org to confirm receipt of your proposal submission.

Proposal Submission Form

NOTE: The Endowment is only accepting proposal submissions from invited organizations. Planning grant proposals are due by November 9, 2026.

Initiative Resources
Request for Proposals Information Form Guide to Budget Preparation Exempt Status and Charity/Foundation Status Information Form IRS Tax Determination Letter Sample
All Open Initiatives