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!

 

Jump to Funding For Internships

Jump to Funding for Residencies

Jump to Funding for Projects/Work

Jump to Other RISD Grants

 

 

Funding for Internships

 

RISD Maharam Fellowship

Image Credit: Graciela Batista 24 IL - 2023 Maharam Fellow
 

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 (2023-2024) 

RISD Maharam Fellowship - Website

RISD Maharam Fellowship - Application

 

 

 

RISD Undergraduate Internship Discovery Grant 

 

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 years 1-4 are eligible.

How much?

$3,000

For what?

Unique summer internships that allow you to explore a specific topic or area of interest. This may be an opportunity to dive deeper into your current studies or have an experience that takes you out of your comfort zone as you expand your skills and knowledge. Your internship may expose you to innovative art and design practices beyond your studio work or lead to future impacts within your discipline. 

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 Discovery Grant - Guidelines  

RISD Undergraduate Internship Discovery Grant - Application

 

 

RISD Internship Support Funds 

Deadline?

Early May

Who can apply?    

Currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students returning to RISD in the Fall – all current sophomores and juniors (includes 4th year architecture and BRDD undergraduates), and all 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! 

Application Details

RISD Internship Support Funds - Guidelines

RISD Internship Support Funds - Application 

 

 

Turner Fund Performing Arts Internship Grants

Image Credit: RISD The Musical, Directors & Writers: Greg Kozatek 10 IL and Jean Kim 10 IL

Deadline?

Mid-Late April

Who can apply?

Currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students returning to RISD in the Fall – current Sophomores, Juniors, Brown/RISD Dual Degree and Architecture students in years 2-4, and graduate students who are not in their final semester. 

How much? 

$5,000

For what?

$5,000 for a summer internship that engages theatrical and performance design, performance studies, and/or expose students to theatrical performance. 

When?

Summer.

Where?

You name it!

Application Details

Turner Fund Performing Arts Internship Grants - Guidelines

Turner Fund Performing Arts 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 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 week residency of uninterrupted studio time.

When?

Spring 

Where?

Snowmass Village, 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?

Late 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, 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

 

 

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 - Website

Skowhegan Summer Residency – Application
 

 

Fine Arts Work Center (FAWC) Summer Workshop Scholarships

Live, Learn, and Create For a Week at FAWC in Provincetown

Image Credit: Fine Arts Work Center

Deadline?

Early March

Who can apply?

Undergraduate and graduate students graduating in 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 $500 travel/food stipend.

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

RISD Fulbright

 

 

Windgate-Lamar Fellowship

Image Credit: RISD Alumni & 2023 Windgate-Lamar Recipient Theju Nimmagadda ’23 FD

Deadline?

The RISD internal preliminary application deadline is mid-October; The Windgate-Lamar 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 supports RISD students in advancing as interdisciplinary, art- and design-based researchers and creative practitioners. A program of RISD Research, the fund provides grants for up to one year of engagement in projects whose methodologies, methods, and creative practices encourage diverse perspectives, address local and global community concerns, provide innovative solutions, and/or promote equity and social change. SPUR Fund grants support various types of research-related activities, e.g., pilot and full-scale research projects, prototyping, presentations and exhibitions, publishing, attendance at conferences, fellowships, etc. Interdisciplinary proposals that involve a cross-section of RISD departments and disciplines or collaborations with local or marginalized community members, institutions of higher education, organizations, arts and cultural groups, among others are encouraged.

For questions about the fund, contact RISD Research at research@risd.edu 

SPUR FUND - Students

 

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.

Learn More

 

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.

Learn More

 

RISD Materials Fund

 

The Materials Fund, managed by Student Financial Services, 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.

For more information, please contact Student Financial Services at sfs@risd.edu

 

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.

Learn More

 

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. 

Learn More