Pro Funds

- Projects must be collaborative in creation and execution. That could mean that the project team is composed of students from two or more departments, or two or more multihyphenate artists, or that the project itself genuinely incorporates more than two artistic mediums or approaches. 

- All project participants must be enrolled full-time in a Tisch School of the Arts undergraduate major. Graduate students are not permitted to participate in Pro Funds projects.

- Each team member can only participate in one (1) project submitted for a Pro Funds grant.

- Student clubs are not eligible to apply for Pro Funds. 

- Projects must be an experience open to the Tisch community either virtually or in person in an NYU-owned space on the Manhattan (Washington Square) or Brooklyn (MetroTech) campuses. Projects can encompass a variety of artistic forms and genres including live performances, dance pieces, plays, art exhibitions, printed media, digital media experiences and more.

-Feature films and short films are not eligible to receive Pro Funds. Projects may have a filming component so long as it is not the main medium of the project. Projects that include a filmed component, no matter the scope, must adhere to guidelines set by the Kanbar Institute’s Production Department. Please review the Kanbar Institute’s Film Production guidelines for more information.

- All applications must be for extracurricular projects and not for projects assigned in classes, seminars or lectures. Projects awarded Pro Funds cannot be used for class credit.

- Grant recipients are required to meet with Pro Funds advisors throughout the year for assistance and support. Pro Funds recipients will be required to meet with Student Affairs before Winter Break to go over the rules and expectations of the grant.

- If you receive Pro Funds, any changes or alterations you make to your project must be approved by your Pro Funds advisor in advance.

- NYU faculty, staff, and students may participate in Pro Funds projects, but cannot be paid using Pro Funds.

- In most cases, Pro Funds cannot be used to pay individuals for a service including payments to actors, musicians, photographers, sound mixers, models, dancers, etc. Students are encouraged to recruit artists from within the Tisch community to participate in their project. Exceptions include guest speakers, who can be paid a small sum via an honorarium.

- Projects must be completed and showcased no later than Friday, May 7th 2027. No extensions will be permitted. Should you not be able to complete your project by the deadline you will be asked to showcase a preview or segment of your work.

- Pro Funds applications must include a budget proposal that adheres to the Pro Funds budget template.

- Budgets must include all anticipated project expenses including props, catering, costumes, publicity, rentals, and speaker fees.

- Students cannot sign any contracts related to their Pro Funds project. Contracts signed by students cannot be honored and may result in funding being revoked.

- If the project is partially funded by sources outside of Pro Funds, the submitted budget must reflect which expenses will be covered by alternate funding. 

- The maximum grant awarded is $2,000, however applicants should request only the amount needed to fulfill the needs of their project. Projects are not guaranteed to be awarded the full amount requested.

- Projects that include a ticket charge or admissions fee must contact Student Affairs prior to submission. Student Affairs reserves the right to monitor the disbursement of collected funds.

- Grant recipients must attend a budget training session prior to incurring expenses.

- Pro Funds projects are not permitted to purchase electronic equipment that exceeds $100 per unit. This includes computers, phones, speakers, microphones, musical instruments, video-game consoles, cameras, sound equipment, monitors, VR headsets, lighting equipment, etc. In the event that you are permitted to purchase electronic equipment, it may need to be returned to NYU upon completion of your project.

- No lump sums of money are transferred directly to students. Pro Funds grants are distributed in the form of credit against which project expenses are incurred.

- Grant recipients will be trained on expense processes and best practices in the first advising meeting.

- The Pro Funds Selection Committee is composed of administrators, faculty, and deans from Tisch School of the Arts. The committee will determine grant recipients and allocations after all applications are reviewed.

- The committee is looking for projects that engage our community and build bridges between different artistic media and disciplines, showcasing how collaboration can create new art. 

The following examples are types of projects that the committee is looking for:

Interactive Experience/Exhibition: a public installation that audiences can interact with including virtual reality, augmented reality, computer programs, video games, music, video displays, 3D models, robotics, and more. Could also be a showcase that includes video/film, fashion, live music, live performances, guest speakers, and more.

Community Engagement Experience: an installation or event that engages the audience in an activity that encourages making connections or collaborating, including speed networking, themed receptions, cultural exchange, team-based games or challenges, and more.

Interactive Performance: A live performance-based experience incorporating acting, stage reading, dance, music, comedy, etc., including prompted improv, open mics, collaborative writing, workshop/critique, silent rave, themed karaoke, and more.