2021 Craft Research Fund Graduate Grant - Eligibility

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Applications are welcome from students enrolled in a humanities-based graduate program (MA) at an accredited college or university for grants up to $5,000 to support research for a thesis project relating to craft in the United States.

- No capital equipment purchases, tuition or living expenses are eligible for support.

- For the purpose of this grant, the Center for Craft requires that all grant recipients provide financial renumeration to working artists for their time, labor, and services rendered towards the awarded project scope and goals. For renumeration estimates, we recommend consulting the floor wages listed on the Working Artists and the Greater Economy (W.A.G.E.) fee calculator website for comparison: https://wageforwork.com/fee-calculator#top

- Applicants must be able to receive taxable income for the duration of the grant and report this grant as income. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

-Applicants cannot be disqualified persons, such as substantial contributors to the Center for Craft as well as current employees, consultants, or board members of the Center for Craft, or immediate family members of such a person

This grant is specifically for students pursuing an master’s degree in a humanities field. Students pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA), or are applying to support the creation of their own artwork are not eligible to apply.  Students interested in support for PhD research should apply for a Craft Research Fund - Project grant.

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Examples of scholarly craft research might include:

• Research addressing work by historically important or contemporary craft artist/s
• Presenting a new understanding of the relationship between hand-made production and digital technologies
• Contributions to the history of the studio craft movement
• Or other topics that offer fresh perspectives within the field

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The Center for Craft prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based on sex, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability or perceived disability, age, marital status, gender identity, veteran status, or any other protected category. The Center encourages applications from historically under-represented populations. Submitting an application does not constitute a promise or guarantee of being awarded a grant or fellowship

2021 Craft Research Fund Graduate Grant – Requirements

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- Seventy percent of the grant will be awarded upon execution of the grant agreement and receipt of the awardee’s W9.

- The final thirty percent will be awarded upon receipt of a final report, to include a project narrative, a budget report, and two copies of the final thesis for inclusion in the Craft Research Fund Study Collection at the Center for Craft.

- The Center for Craft reserves the right to limit support of a project to a particular portion(s) or cost(s).

- Project and final report must be completed in six months grant period.

- Recipients will acknowledge support from “Center for Craft - Craft Research Fund” in any publications or presentations resulting from the grant.

2021 Craft Research Fund Graduate Grant - Review Process

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A panel composed of craft curators, faculty, and/or scholars will review proposals and evaluate them based on the following criteria:

 - The thesis or dissertation topic relates to one or more of the goals of the Craft Research Fund program.

 - The student demonstrates familiarity with existing research on the topic

 - The proposed research is feasible based on the timeline, expertise and budget reflected in the application.

- The research will advance scholarship and knowledge about craft in the United States.

- Representation and/or visibility - priority will be given to those who are underrepresented in the field.

-The research is consistent with and furthers the mission of the Center for Craft.

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Considerations in final selection:

• The Center for Craft respects, values, and celebrates the unique attributes, characteristics and perspectives that make each person who they are. We foster open communication of diverse perspectives and bring a broad range of individuals together to enrich and support programming. Ultimately we will ask the Selection Panel to compose a set of recipients deserving of further recognition while prioritizing diversity, both in and outside of academia, and representing a range of geographies, materials, and communities served.

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The Center for Craft reserves the right to limit support of a project to a particular portion(s) or cost(s).

2021 Craft Research Fund Graduate Grant - How to Apply

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DEADLINE: The application for 2021 Graduate Research Grants must be submitted via SlideRoom no later than 11:59 pm EST on October 1, 2020.

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NOTIFICATION: Notification of the results will be sent via e-mail no later than mid-November for a start date of December 1, 2020. The e-mail address listed on the application form will be used to send out notifications. Please be sure that it is a valid account that you check regularly.

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HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must apply using the online application program SlideRoom at http://www.centerforcraft.slideroom.com. Please review the sample application below before beginning your application.

All applicants should create a login to be able to partially complete the form and return to finish it at a later date. Before submitting your application, you will be directed to a confirmation page where you will be able to review your form and return to edit or delete your uploaded files as needed. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to access your form again. Applicants will receive a confirmation email once the application form has been successfully submitted.

2021 Craft Research Fund – Graduate Grant SAMPLE APPLICATION

This is only a sample application, all applications much be completed in SlideRoom.

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Cover sheet

 1. Name (applicant/s and or organization) 

 2. Your title (including degree sought, university and expected date of graduation) 

 3. Provide either your personal website or project website

 4. Grant amount requested (up to $5,000) 

 5. Are you over 18? (yes or no) 

6. Are you able to receive taxable income for the duration of the project period? (yes or no) 

7. Please provide a project title (up to 15 words/ 85 character limit) 

8. Please provide a summary of your research proposal (no more than 50 words/ 300 character limit) 

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Application

 1. Please provide a one page summary of your proposal addressing the following (500 words/ 3,000 character limit) : 

• Research question and relevance to advancement of craft in the United States
• Research methodology

 2. Timeline for completing research. Projects must be completed by May 31, 2021 (7 months from start date) 10,000 character limit

 3.  Identify three other scholars who have written significant works on/around your topic, and describe how your work parallels and pushes the topic forward (500 words or less/ 3,000 character limit).

 4. Completed budget Expense Form provided in SlideRoom. (Examples for Expenses: Support Stipends/Honoraria (List artists with names); itemized by location- Travel/Expenses (include lodging and meals); Contracted Services (such as photography); Materials/Equipment. Please list no more than 50 items.)

5. Completed budget Income Form provided in SlideRoom. (Please list the total amount requested from the Craft Research Fund here. If you have additional sources of secured or anticipated (prospected) income, please list them here. Examples for Income: other grants secured/prospected; support from institutions (school or university support); in-kind support (for example: percentages of salaries or hourly rates for time commitments). Please list no more than 50 items.)

 6. Provide a budget narrative to explain any line items if necessary (300 words max/ 2,000 character limit

 7. Attachment: CV of relevant education and experience (no more than 2 pages)

 8. Attachment: Description of research, how it relates to your thesis, and how the research relates to the goals of the Craft Research Fund (no more than 5 pages in no less than 12 point type).

 9. Bibliography with at least 10 sources. (6,000 character limit) 

 10. Requested through SlideRoom application: One supporting letter from your primary advisor. Reference letter request is sent via SlideRoom and is due at the same time as the application, October 1 (11:59pm EST) 2020.

 11. Attachment: Optional single page PDF of image/s, if this will compliment or add clarity to the proposal.

2021 Craft Research Fund Graduate Grant - FAQ

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‍Can my graduate advisor write a supporting letter of reference for me?

Yes, and we recommend that graduate advisors write letters of support for applicants.‍

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Where can I find information about previous recipients of the Craft Research Fund Graduate Grant?

Check out our online Grant Recipient Archive here. You can sort by grant opportunity by clicking on “Grant” or search “Graduate” in the search Filter.

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What is the final deadline for submitting my online application form?

The application for 2021 Graduate Research Grants must be submitted via SlideRoom no later than 11:59 pm EST on October 1, 2020.

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What if my  proposed timeline is affected by COVID-19?

If your proposed timeline is affected by COVID-19, requests for extensions up to 6 additional  months may be made after the grant is awarded.

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May I mail a hard copy of my application materials to the Center for Craft’s office?

No, hard copy submissions will not be accepted. The application must be completed and submitted through SlideRoom.

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Can I work on my application and return to complete it at a later date?

Yes, creating a login account will enable you to complete the form in several online sessions.

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I just submitted my application but I want to return to it and make an edit. Is this possible?

No, once your application is submitted, you will not be able to return to the form or change any submitted information. The application fee must also be paid at the time of submitting your application as you will not be able to log-in again to access the payment page again.

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I have a question that wasn’t answered. How can I reach the Center for Craft?

If you have any further questions, please contact grants@centerforcraft.org.