Pro Funds

- Applications must include participants from at least three (3) different undergraduate Tisch departments. Pro Funds are intended to support projects that embody a genuine collaboration between Tisch departments and bring the Tisch community together. Therefore, all participants must contribute to the project in a meaningful way.

- All project participants must be enrolled full-time in a Tisch School of the Arts undergraduate major.

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

- 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.

- 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.

- 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 that involve a film component in any capacity will receive additional scrutiny and require production supervision from the Department of Film & Television. These projects will also require a detailed production plan. Please review the Kanbar Institute’s Film Production guidelines for more information.

- Projects must be completed and showcased no later than Friday, May 8th 2026. 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 $2,500, 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 $150 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, deans, and student leaders 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 benefit more than just one person or department; in other words, projects that impact other artists inter-departmentally, Tisch-wide, socially, and in other important ways.

- Tisch clubs and All-University clubs are no longer eligible for Pro Funds and can follow up with TUSC for additional funding needs

Pro Funds projects must be community-based projects composed of Tisch students from at least three different Tisch departments. The purpose of these grants is to foster collaboration and community engagement within Tisch. The following examples are types of projects that the committee is looking for:

Theatrical Performance: a live performance consisting of acting, stage reading, dance, music, etc. Could include a play, musical, dance performance, sketch comedy, staged reading and more. May also interpolate recorded elements, if needed.

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.