Guidelines and Application

Funding Program Contact: Stephanie Troisi, Student Services Coordinator.

2025-26 Application Deadlines

Fall 2025 events:  Monday, September 22 (end of day, by 12 Midnight)
Note: If you miss this deadline, or have a Wintersession 2026 proposal, please consider applying for an Express Grant (deadline Monday, October 27)
 

Spring 2026 events: Monday, January 12 (end of day, by 11:59 pm)
Note: If you miss this deadline, consider applying for an Express Grant (deadline Monday, March 2).

You may also contact  Stephanie Troisi, to discuss your funding needs for projects taking place between available grant deadlines.  

Guidelines

Eligibility: 

  • projects that involve a primary focus on Harvard College undergraduate collaborative artmaking taking place on the Harvard Campus.
  • Who can apply:
    • Groups who are registered student organizations and in good standing with the Dean of Student Office and comply with any and all guidelines set by that Office.
    • In special instances: individuals seeking funding for non-academic solo art projects
  • All projects seeking funding are expected to be open to all students to participate/engage in.
  • Student organizations that receive funding from the Office for the Arts must be open to all students in good standing currently enrolled in Harvard College, regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law. Marketing and outreach should clearly state that events and activities are open to all.
  • Independent student organization leaders are expected to abide by the guidelines set by the Harvard College Student Handbook and the Student Organization Resource Guide. Harvard University and Harvard College are not responsible for the operations of student organizations.
  • The Office for the Arts is available to provide advising and support to student organizations but is not responsible for decisions made by ISO student leaders. 

What we ordinarily fund

In considering applications, the OFA values projects that

  • are collaborative
  • have potential to involve many students in making or observing the finished work
  • are either original or demonstrate a creative approach to existing work (a play, musical work, ballet, etc.)

Grants typically fall into traditional categories such as drama, literature, music, dance and visual art. The OFA welcomes these, and also welcomes forms that are hybrids of various types and/or are less easily defined.

What can be considered in special circumstances

  • individuals seeking funding for non-academic solo studio art projects
  • groups seeking funding to support instruction/mentoring by professionals

NOTE: Applicants must present evidence of compelling/exceptional reasons why funding should be approved.

NOTE: Explore Learning from Performers  for more information on guest artists or contact the OFA.

What we do not ordinarily fund

  • senior theses
  • fundraisers, charity benefits or tours away from campus
  • fees for Student Services
  • fees for professional technicians (such as a lighting or sound operator) or performer fees
  • presentation of performing groups from outside the University
  • projects that offer minimal exposure to undergraduates
  • political magazines or events that are not primarily artistic
  • film projects; summer projects; ongoing classes
  • equipment purchases (grants can cover expenses incurred from equipment rentals)
    Note: As students find themselves creating art in new technologies, the OFA acknowledges some new types of funding requests may be presented for consideration, including but not limited to equipment purchases. Such requests will be considered in the context of the entire budget proposal and on a case by case basis.
  • receptions (including flowers, gifts, food, drinks)
  • video or audio documentation recording of concerts/performances

Funding award amounts

Most funding awards typically fall in the $200-$800 range. NOTE: For budgeting purposes, funding for digital programs and publicity budget line items will be capped at $100.

Method of payment

Awards will be processed to recipients via Harvard's online payment system, buy2pay. Information regarding profile set up or confirmation of having an active profile will be included in Grant award email notifications. 

NOTE: Expectation is that funds awarded will be deposited by the group or individual recipient no later than the end of the  current Academic Year's fiscal closing (June 30th). Requests for reissuance of checks beyond six months of receipt cannot be guaranteed. 

Other requirements 

All grant recipients are required to complete a project evaluation form by the following deadlines. Failure to submit a completed form will result in grant recipient being ineligible for applying for a Project Grant during the next Academic year.  

Fall ’25 projects: Tuesday, December 9
Spring '26 projects: Wednesday, May 6
 

Other Funding Resources

We encourage producers to research other available funding resources made available to Harvard Events. The Harvard Undergraduate Association provides a listing of resources on their website. 

 

Application and supplemental material:

Review application writing tips

Application Link

Required supplemental material:

Budget

  • worksheet listing specific budget lines (revenue and expenses) 
    Applicants may complete this provided budget sheet or submit their own form.

Note: If your budget includes a request for any equipment purchase (not generally supported) vs. rental, please provide a short paragraph explaining why purchase of requested equipment is necessary.

List of students involved

  • document listing production/creative team including name(s), role(s), class year and contact information (email).
    • Note: We understand that in some instances, this list may be incomplete. We ask that updates be forwarded as available.
  • For applicants with an organization/group website, please provide a link. 


    Other supplemental material

Publication projects : provide a publication sample via web URL ( hard copy submission ONLY if web URL not available)

Dance and Theater projects:

  • Director's statement ( a brief one paragraph statement about the text/theme and any specific set goals for the production.)
  • Projects that have multiple performance dates should provide a document that includes projected production dates, deadlines and rehearsal schedule.

Promotional Images (only if available): forward directly to Stephanie Troisi using these guidelines:

  • Formal subject line with "Promotional Image submission for" project name, student group name (if applicable). Example: Promotional Image submission for RockOnOpenMicNight, HarvardRocks.
  • Image file name should include project name and student group (if applicable).

Applicants will be prompted to provide supplemental material via the project grant application (link goes live the week of August 18),

We expect you to consult with staff and/or faculty on your project. Recognized student organizations are expected to have their faculty advisor review their application before submission.  Please refer to the OFA staff list for additional mentoring.

NOTE: For the 2025-2026 Academic year, OFA funding will be determined by a committee of OFA staff members in consultation with the Council on the Arts, a FAS Standing Committee.

Council on the Arts: 2025-26 Academic Year

Sean Kelly (Chair), Teresa G. and Ferdinand F. Martignetti Professor of Philosophy; Dean of Arts and Humanities 
Remo Airaldi, American Repertory Theater; Lecturer on Theater, Theater, Dance & Media
Alicia Anstead, Producer, Arts First Festival; Associate Director for Programming and Communications, OFA
Daniel Chong, Professor of the Practice in Music, Parker Quartet
Fiona Coffey, Director, OFA
Angelica Durrell, Director of Programs, OFA
Elizabeth Epsen, Manager of College Dance, OFA Dance Program
Phillip Howze, Associate Senior Lecturer on Theater, Dance & Media
Ruth Stella Lingford, Senior Lecturer on Art, Film and Visual Studies
Laura Quinton, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies, Lecturer on Theater, Dance & Media
Matt Saunders, Professor of Arts, Film and Visual Studies, Director of Undergraduate Studies 
Yosvany Terry, Senior Lecturer on Music, Director of Jazz Bands
Laura van den Berg, Senior Lecturer, Director of Creative Writing, Department of English