RISD Careers offers these grants to students and alumni.
These are awards in which the RISD Career Center manages the process, provides support to applicants and awardees, and/or funds. Reach out to us for more information or assistance!
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Funding for Internships
RISD Maharam Fellowship
Image Credit: Carmen Belmonte Sandoval 23 ID & Mei Zheng 23 ID - 2022 Maharam Fellows
Deadline?
Mid-February
Who can apply?
Currently enrolled Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors, Fifth Years, and Graduate Students.
How much?
$5,000
For what?
The Fellowship focuses on two of the most urgent issues of our time - social justice and sustainability. The Fellowship will support internship work that aspires to advance social progress or safeguard the environment or even combine both of these important issues. The nature of the internship should explore the role of innovative, critical, creative thinkers to solve problems and demonstrate the various ways artists and designers can have a positive impact.
When?
Summer. The internship may take place the summer after graduation.
Where?
You name it!
Application Details
RISD Maharam Fellowship - Guidelines
RISD Maharam Fellowship - Website
RISD Maharam Fellowship - Application
RISD Internship Support Funds
Image Credit: RISD Alumni Sophia-Yemisi Adeyemo-Ross ’21 PT
Deadline?
Early May
Who can apply?
Currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students returning to RISD in the Fall – current sophomores, juniors, 4th year architecture undergraduates, 4th year BRDD undergraduates, and graduate students who are not in their final semester.
How much?
$1,000
For what?
Undergraduate and graduate students can apply for grants of $1,000 if they've secured a summer internship that is unpaid, low-paid, or presents financial challenges. Financial need and hardship are critical factors in the selection process and awarding of these grants. Please note that funding is limited.
When?
Summer
Where?
You name it but you must follow RISD’s Protocols for Travel.
Application Details
RISD Internship Support Funds - Guidelines
RISD Internship Support Funds - Application
RISD Undergraduate Internship Grants
Image credit: Yuqing Liu, BFA 23 Sculpture
Deadline?
Early April
Who can apply?
Currently enrolled students in First Year, Sophomore, or Junior standing are eligible. Brown/RISD Dual Degree and Architecture students in their 4th year are eligible.
How much?
$3,000
For what?
Internships must employ creative thinking to solve problems, drive economic development, or address social issues.
When?
Summer. Applicants must be an enrolled RISD student the semester before the summer of the internship and returning to RISD the fall after the internship.
Where?
You name it!
Application Details
RISD Undergraduate Internship Grant - Guidelines
RISD Undergraduate Internship Grant- Application
The RISD Undergraduate Internship Grant Is Generously Supported By TEXTRON.
Turner Fund Internship Grants
Image Credit: RISD The Musical, Directors & Writers: Greg Kozatek 10 IL and Jean Kim 10 IL
Deadline?
End of April
Who can apply?
Currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students returning to RISD in the Fall – current sophomores, juniors, 4th year architecture undergraduates, 4th year BRDD undergraduates, and graduate students who are not in their final semester.
How much?
$5,000
For what?
Undergraduate and graduate students can apply for grants of $5,000 if they've secured a summer internship in the performing arts. These grants support students in internships that engage theatrical and performance design, performance studies, and/or expose students to theatrical performance.
When?
Summer.
Where?
You name it!
Application Details
Turner Fund Internship Grants - Guidelines
Turner Fund Internship Grants - Application
Funding for Residencies
Anderson Ranch Artists-In-Residence Program
Image Credit: Anderson Ranch
Deadline?
Mid-February
Who can apply?
Undergraduate and graduate students graduating the December or June who will be alumni during the residency.
How much?
Funded by Anderson Ranch and RISD; coverage includes residency cost, housing, studio space, and meals.
For what?
Supports an intensive 5 or 10 week residency of uninterrupted studio time.
When?
Fall or Spring
Where?
Snowmass, Colorado
Application Details
Anderson Ranch Artists-In-Residence Program - Guidelines
Anderson Ranch Artists-In-Residence Program - Website
Anderson Ranch Artists-In-Residence Program - Application
Monson Arts Design Residencies
Image Credit: Monson Arts
Deadline?
Mid-March
Who can apply?
Undergraduate and graduate students graduating June who will be alumni during the residency program. It is also available to all alumni.
How much?
A two-week or four-week, design focused residency funded by Monson Arts. Includes room and board, a private studio, access to wood and metal working shops plus digital fabrication equipment, and a $500 stipend if two weeks/$1,000 if four weeks
For what?
Supports an intensive residency focused on developing prototypes and designs, and experimenting with materials.
When?
Between August and December – two or four weeks
Where?
Monson, Maine
Application Details
Monson Arts Design Residencies - Guidelines
Monson Arts Design Residencies – Website
Monson Arts Design Residencies – Application
Ox-Bow Summer Fellowship & Workshop Awards
Image Credit: Deecy Smith
Deadline?
Mid-March
Who can apply?
Current Juniors, Seniors, Fifth Years, and Graduate students. You must be at least 21 years of age at the start of the program.
How much?
The Summer Fellowship is funded by Ox-Bow and includes fees, housing, meals, studio space, meals, and a stipend. The Summer Workshop is funded by the Career Center and includes tuition and shared room and board.
For what?
Two opportunities are supported. A RISD student is guaranteed a spot in a 13-week artist-run community residency Fellowship, in which participants are both artists and staff members. And, a RISD student is guaranteed a spot in a 2-week Summer Workshop.
When?
Summer
Where?
Saugatuck, Michigan
Application Details
Ox-Bow Summer Fellowship Award - Guidelines
Ox-Bow Summer Fellowship Award - Website
Ox-Bow Summer Fellowship Award - Application
Ox-Bow Residency Info Session Recording
Skowhegan Summer Residency Fellowship
Deadline?
First week of January.
Who can apply?
Undergraduates and graduate students. You must be at least 21 years of age at the start of the program. You can be enrolled when you apply and returning to RISD after the summer residency, or graduated from RISD when you undertake the residency. (Alumni are also welcome to apply, however students enrolled at the time of application take priority for this scholarship.)
How much?
$6,000 from the RISD Career Center and Skowhegan covering the tuition, studio space, housing, and meals.
For what?
Supports an intensive 9 week residency of uninterrupted studio time.
When?
Summer
Where?
Madison, Maine
Application Details
Skowhegan Summer Residency - Guidelines
Skowhegan Summer Residency – Application
Fine Arts Work Center (FAWC) Summer Workshop Scholarships
Image Credit: Fine Arts Work Center
Deadline?
Early March
Who can apply?
Undergraduate and graduate students graduating the December or June who will be new alumni during the Summer Workshop. (It is also available to all alumni.)
How much?
This scholarship pays for the tuition and housing of a one-week, Summer Workshop, in addition to a travel stipend of up to $500.
For what?
Supports participation in a one-week, Summer Workshop in the visual arts or creative writing.
When?
Between June and August – one week
Where?
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Application Details
FAWC Summer Workshop Scholarships - Guidelines
FAWC Summer Workshops - Course Catalog
FAWC Summer Workshop Scholarships – Application
Funding to Support Your Project/Work
Fulbright U.S. Student Program Grant
Image Credit: RISD Alumni & 2014 Award Recipient Lindsay Carone ’13 MFA SC
Deadline?
The RISD deadline is mid to late August
Who can apply?
Enrolled Seniors, Fifth Years, and Graduate Students, and recent alumni up to three years after graduation may apply through RISD. Students may begin the application process in their Junior year but can not submit an application until the fall of their Senior year. Applicants must have a bachelor degree before the start of the grant and must be a U.S. citizen.
How much?
Airfare, health insurance, and monthly stipend which varies depending on country.
For what?
Supports a 9-12 month creative, independent project.
When?
Country dependent. Most begin late summer/early fall.
Where?
In 140+ countries
Application Details
St. Botolph - Emerging Artist Award
Image Credit: 2021 Award Recipient Mark (Bhen) Alan MFA ’22 PT, 2021
Deadline?
Mid February
Who can apply?
Seniors, Fifth Years, and Graduate Students. Must be from New England and/or live and practice in New England during the grant period.
How much?
$3,500
For what?
Unrestricted support for emerging New England artists.
When?
Between June and the following May.
Where?
New England
Application Details
St. Botolph Club Foundation - Guidelines
St. Botolph Club Foundation - Website
St. Botolph Club Foundation - Internal RISD Application
Windgate-Lamar Fellowship
Image Credit: RISD Alumni & 2022 Windgate-Lamar Recipient Sean Eren ’22 JM
Deadline?
The RISD internal preliminary application deadline is late October/early November; The Windgate-Larmar nominee application deadline for the national competition is early February.
Who can apply?
Graduating seniors and 5th year students who work in craft. Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident, OR in the process of applying for Citizenship as per the Windgate-Lamar Fellowship guidelines.
How much?
$15,000
For what?
Unrestricted support for emerging artists whose work is informed by craft processes, materials, traditions, or sensibilities.
When?
Between May and the following April (12 months).
Where?
You name it!
Application Details
Windgate-Lamar Fellowship Award - Guidelines
Windgate- Lamar Fellowship Award - Website
Windgate-Lamar Fellowship Award - Application
Other RISD Grants
The grants below are available to RISD students and offered by various departments. The Career Center does not manage these programs, and so we encourage you to follow up with the sponsoring department to learn more details.
RISD SPUR Fund
The SPUR Fund, offered through the RISD Research office, provides grants for engaging in activities and projects that explore non-traditional and experimental frameworks. SPUR funds may be used for various purposes, including planning; conducting pilots and projects; participating in workshops and residencies; participating in research-related internships and activities that are unpaid or low-paid, presenting at or organizing conferences, exhibitions, and events; and expenses for supplies and travel, etc.
For questions about the fund, contact RISD Research at research@risd.edu
RISD Somerson Sustainability Innovation Fund
The Somerson Sustainability Innovation Fund (SSIF) offers RISD Faculty and Students grants
for transdisciplinary research and creative practices that address sustainability issues with the
aims of broad impact. Proposed projects should be bold and imaginative. Engagements with
community partners in Rhode Island or neighboring states are encouraged. Faculty Sustainability
Fellows will receive grants up to $25,000. Student Sustainability Fellows will receive grants up
to $10,000.
RISD Graduate Commons Grant
The Graduate Commons Grant is a competitive annual grant program that supports graduate students pursuing creative open-ended explorations and goal-oriented projects. An internal committee chaired by the Director, Office of Graduate Studies will review proposals and determine recipients and final award amounts. Proposals should describe either a specific outcome to be achieved, or how this component of the project/research will concretely contribute to the achievement of a long-term project/research.
RISD Materials Fund
The Materials Fund, managed by Student Affairs, was created to assist RISD students with demonstrated financial need in purchasing the basic equipment and supplies needed to advance their art and design education. Applications are welcome from full-time undergraduate and graduate students in any major with demonstrated financial need.
The Dorner Prize
The Dorner Prize, offered by the RISD Museum, is awarded annually to RISD undergraduate and graduate students for temporary, site-specific projects at the museum. These artistic interventions may take the form of physical, digital, or programmatic encounters, that examine or critique the Museum’s historical and contemporary contexts, collections, architectural idiosyncrasies, habits of visitation, and/or web presence.
Spalter Teaching Fellowship
The Spalter Teaching Fellowship, offered by the RISD Museum, is open to RISD and Brown graduate and undergraduate students from all disciplinary backgrounds. Spalter Teaching Fellows are trained as RISD Museum educators and are responsible for teaching and working with children and youth. Teaching Fellows receive $5000 per academic year and commit to a two-year fellowship, serving up to eight hours per week.