1. Office of the Dean
  2. Student Resources
  3. Student Funding Opportunities

Student Funding Opportunities

School of Fine Arts Opportunities

Students are encouraged to reach out to their Department Heads for department and discipline specific funding that may be available. The School administers the Zachs Endowment Fund in Fine Arts and the Marks Family Endowment in the Arts, and hosts the Krenicki Arts and Engineering Institute scholarships. Criteria, submission requirements, due dates and links are below.

Please note that there is a single form to apply for both the Marks and Zachs awards, and you may submit one application to be considered for either or both. Both awards require the recipient to meet with the SFA Financial Services Office staff within 30 days, to ensure a properly developed budget and policy compliance. Both awards require a project completion report, and all work including financial processes must be completed by April 15, 2027 or before the student graduates, whichever comes FIRST.

 

Zachs Endowment Fund in Fine Arts

Deadline: Monday, March 30, 2026

The Zachs Endowment Fund in Fine Arts is an award given to a School of Fine Arts undergraduate or graduate student for an artistic or educational project. In past years, award amounts have ranged from $500 to $3000. The recipient must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 of higher. Candidates who have previously received an award from the Zachs Endowment Fund are not eligible for a subsequent award from the Zachs Endowment Fund.

As a condition of this award, you will be required to acknowledge the support of the Zachs Endowment Fund in Fine Arts in any promotional or written materials produced. Additionally, you will be invited to a luncheon with Ms. Judith M. Zachs in Spring of 2027 to share the outcomes of your project.

The application for this award requires the following materials, which will need to be prepared in advance of submitting your application form:

  1. Project proposal with the following information included:
    1. A narrative description of your project. What is the activity/event? Where and when will it take place? Who is the target audience? How will this experience enhance your creative practice and professionalism? (500 word maximum)
    2. A projected timeline for your project, including any performance or exhibition dates, if applicable (tentative dates are okay if specific dates are not yet confirmed), with all work to be completed by April 15, 2027 or before the student graduates, whichever comes FIRST.
  2. Projected budget: please be as specific, accurate, and cost-effective as possible in detailing your proposed expenses associated with your project. This award may be used to fund travel (including mileage or vehicle rentals) in support of the project’s goals, and materials and items to be used and consumed for this project. This may include costs associated with producing a performance in a professional venue, including but not limited to rental fees, marketing materials, and publicity costs. This award may not be used for durable goods that outlast the project (e.g. equipment) or for payments to individuals (including yourself).
  3. Faculty or staff letter of recommendation and support: Please obtain a letter of recommendation and support for your project from a faculty or staff member who is well acquainted with your artistic abilities. This letter must be included with your application form and cannot be submitted separately.

If you are ready to apply, please follow this link to the application form: Application for Student Project Funding (Marks / Zachs)

 

Marks Family Endowment in Fine Arts 

Deadline: Monday, March 30, 2026

The Marks Family Endowment in Fine Arts enables School of Fine Arts undergraduate or graduate students as part of their academic program, to perform or exhibit in professional venues throughout the State of Connecticut. Only students who will be enrolled full-time for the Fall 2026 term are eligible. Projects and financial processes must be complete before the student graduates. In past years award amounts have ranged from $500 to $5,000.

This award will be given to an undergraduate or graduate student who designs a unique program, exhibition, or performance plan to present their work at a professional venue in the State of Connecticut. Individual faculty and/or Departments may work with students to develop these projects, or students may develop them independently. For example, a proposal could include involvement with a professional theatre, orchestra, opera company, art museum, or gallery. The proposals should be creative, imaginative, and broad reaching. Because career development is at the heart of the Marks Family gift, projects must represent a professionally modeled experience.

As a condition of this award, you will be required to acknowledge the support of the Marks Family Endowment in Fine Arts in any promotional or written materials produced.

The application for this award requires the following materials, which will need to be prepared in advance of submitting your application form:

  1. Project proposal with the following information included:
    1. A narrative description of your project. What is the activity/event? Where and when will it take place? Who is the target audience? How will this experience enhance your creative practice and professionalism? (500 word maximum)
    2. A projected timeline for your project, including any performance or exhibition dates, if applicable (tentative dates are okay if specific dates are not yet confirmed), with all work to be completed by April 15, 2027 or before the student graduates, whichever comes FIRST.
  2. Projected budget: Please be as specific, accurate, and cost-effective as possible in detailing your proposed expenses associated with your project. This may include costs associated with producing a performance in a professional venue, including but not limited to rental fees, marketing materials, and publicity costs. This award may also be used to fund travel (including mileage or vehicle rentals) in support of the project’s goals, and materials and items to be used and consumed for this project. This award may not be used for durable goods that outlast the project (e.g. equipment) or for payments to individuals (including yourself).
  3. Faculty or staff letter of recommendation and support: Please obtain a letter of recommendation and support for your project from a faculty or staff member who is well acquainted with your artistic abilities. This letter must be included with your application form and cannot be submitted separately.
  4. Evidence of agreement in progress with venue(s): Please obtain evidence of an agreement in progress with a professional venue external to UConn. This may be an email exchange with or a formal letter from a staff member at the proposed venue(s) expressing positive interest and willingness to work with you. If your application is successful, funds will not be dispersed until a university compliant agreement is executed with an approved professional venue. This evidence must be included with your application form and cannot be submitted separately.

If you are ready to apply, please follow this link to the application form: Application for Student Project Funding (Marks / Zachs)

 
Krenicki Arts & Engineering Scholarships
The School of Engineering and the School of Fine Arts are pleased to announce the Krenicki Arts & Engineering Institute scholarships. This program is made possible by the generosity of alumni John Krenicki (Mechanical Engineering) and Donna Krenicki (Graphic Design), and is an initiative of the Krenicki Arts & Engineering Institute, founded in 2019, which seeks to promote innovative collaborations between the two fields in research, teaching, and external partnerships.

Successful applicants will be able to show examples of creative projects, collaborations, ingenuity in design or engineering, and a genuine interest in combining the arts and engineering disciplines.

Through the online application portal (see below), please upload samples of past work, a letter of recommendation from a professor, and a personal statement which details your past intersections between the arts and engineering. Work samples could include drawings, sketches, pictures, models, designs, etc.

Each recipient of the Krenicki Scholarship will receive $5,000 for the academic year. There will be a total of four recipients, two from the School of Fine Arts and two from the School of Engineering.

Please submit your application at https://uconnscholars.communityforce.com/Login.aspx

If you have questions, please contact Paul Spirito, paul.spirito@uconn.edu.

 

 

University Wide Opportunities

UConn IDEA Grants: Imagine / Develop / Engage / Apply
UConn IDEA Grants of up to $6,000 are available to support self-designed projects, including artistic products, community service initiatives, entrepreneurial ventures, creative endeavors and research projects. The Program is open to UConn undergraduates in all majors at all campuses, and applications are accepted from individuals and small groups. UConn IDEA Grant projects begin with an application, are developed during a period of planning, require a period of focused engagement, and end with public presentations.

 

OUR Supply Awards
OUR Supply Awards fund undergraduate researchers for up to $500 for research expenses. Students may use award funds to cover costs associated with their research projects, such as supplies and/or consumables in the laboratory or studio, printing and copying, or software. Students may not receive funds for living expenses during the academic year or for charges incurred for the UConn courses in which they are enrolled. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and awards are made until funds are exhausted. (In other words, apply early!)

 

SHARE Virtual Summer Apprenticeship Program:

The SHARE program provides undergraduates majoring in the social sciences, humanities, and arts with an opportunity to work remotely on a faculty mentor’s project over the summer. Students develop foundational research, creative, and technical skills that they can build on as they progress through their academic career, in addition to establishing a mentorship relationship with a faculty member. This program prioritizes early career students with little to no prior experience. SHARE apprentices earn up to $1,485 (via hourly wage) and faculty mentors receive a $500 professional development award.

 

SURF Awards (Summer Undergraduate Research Fund)SURF awards support full-time undergraduate students who are engaged in summer research or creative projects under the supervision of a University of Connecticut faculty member. SURF awards are available to students in all majors at all UConn campuses. The deadline is early in the spring semester; awards are made for the summer. The maximum total amount awarded for SURF awards is $5, 500($5,000 stipend for the student researcher and up to $500 for consumables associated with the project).