How to Apply for Arts Grants

The core of your student grant application is your original project proposal. A good proposal does two things: it establishes an interesting objective and it lays out a plan for achieving that objective. You will supplement this proposal with an array of other information (described below) to form your grant application.

The following checklist is intended to help you ensure that your application is complete. YOU are responsible for each and every item. If you find yourself answering “no” to any of these questions, your application may be rejected or delayed.

• Have you carefully examined our eligibility criteria?
  • Arts Grants Eligibility
• Have you worked with a qualifying Stanford faculty mentor over time to develop your ideas and refine your proposal?
  • Mentor Eligibility
• Have you taken courses that thoroughly prepare you for the techniques that your project will use, including relevant pre-field courses?
  • Pre-Field Preparation
• Have you given your mentor(s) a MINIMUM of three week’s notice that you will need a letter of recommendation?
  • Guidelines for Faculty Mentor letters
• Have you completed the online application form? Missing information will, at best, significantly delay your application. UAR does not accept hard copies of proposals.
  • Online Application Form
• Does your proposal include a specific statement of your project’s objective, a description of your conceptual approach and techniques? Does it provide a critical analysis of the current dialogue in your chosen medium and subject matter, as well as a detailed logistical plan?
  • Guidelines for Arts Proposals (PDF). Note that a separate set of guidelines exists for conference travel proposals.
• Have you used the online form to submit a concise line-item budget?
  • Grant Budget Guidelines and Policies
• Has a letter of recommendation written on your behalf by your qualifying faculty mentor arrived at the UAR office? Letters can be emailed directly to vpue-research@stanford.edu. We will not automatically reject your application if your mentor’s letter is late. However, an especially late letter suggests a lack of coordination between you and your mentor and this can impact our decision.
  • Guidelines for Faculty Mentor Letters

The following items must be completed before UAR can distribute any funds. Failure to complete these items may result in the cancellation of your grant.

• If your proposal was placed on hold, have you submitted all requested revisions to the UAR office? Has the UAR staff accepted them as satisfactory?
• Have you completed all preparatory coursework, including technique courses and other specific courses required by UAR reviewers?
• Have you read and signed the UAR student grant contract (available after your proposal is approved) and saved a copy for future reference?

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