Deadline: 25-Feb-2026
The Graham Foundation Grant Program provides competitive funding to individuals advancing critical ideas in architecture and the designed environment. Offering Production and Presentation Grants (up to $20,000) and Research and Development Grants (up to $10,000), the program supports both early-stage research and fully realized public projects, with 2026 funding decisions announced on May 30, 2026.
Overview
The Graham Foundation Grant Program supports innovative projects that advance critical thinking, discourse, and experimentation in architecture and the designed environment.
The program funds individuals working across disciplines, media, and formats who are developing projects that contribute meaningfully to architectural culture, theory, and public engagement.
Grants are awarded through a competitive, two-stage open submission process and support both early-stage research and fully realized public-facing work.
Core Focus and Funding Philosophy
The Graham Foundation prioritizes projects that:
- Advance critical ideas in architecture and design
- Contribute to public knowledge and discourse
- Demonstrate intellectual rigor and clarity
- Result in meaningful dissemination through public platforms
While the program primarily supports individuals and organizations in the United States, international applicants are eligible provided that final project outputs are disseminated in English.
Types of Grants Available to Individuals
The Graham Foundation offers two distinct grant types, each aligned with a different stage of project development.
Production and Presentation Grants
Purpose and Scope
Production and Presentation Grants support projects that are ready to move from concept to realization and public presentation.
These grants fund production-related expenses necessary to complete and disseminate a project to the public.
Supported Project Formats
Eligible project formats include:
- Exhibitions and installations
- Publications and books
- Film, video, and new media
- Web-based initiatives
- Public programs and events
Funding Amount and Duration
- Maximum grant amount: $20,000
- Typical grant range: $5,000 to $15,000
- Project completion timeframe: Within two years of the project start date
Key Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Clearly defined project goals
- A detailed work plan and timeline
- A realistic project budget
- A production and dissemination plan
- A confirmed agreement with a committed producer, such as a museum, publisher, or comparable entity
Research and Development Grants
Purpose and Scope
Research and Development Grants support early-stage projects focused on investigation, experimentation, and idea development.
These grants are intended to help applicants refine concepts before full production.
Eligible Research Expenses
Funded costs may include:
- Travel related to research
- Documentation and archival work
- Materials and supplies
- Other development-related expenses
Funding Amount and Duration
- Maximum grant amount: $10,000
- Grants are typically awarded at lower amounts
- Project completion timeframe: Within one year of the project start date
Progression to Production Funding
Recipients of a Research and Development Grant may later apply for a Production and Presentation Grant for the same project.
Future funding is not guaranteed and is subject to a new competitive review process.
Ineligible Costs and Restrictions
The Graham Foundation does not fund the following:
- Endowments
- General operating or indirect costs
- Capital projects
- Scholarship aid or work toward an academic degree
- Projects focused exclusively on K–12 audiences
- Debt or expenses incurred before the grant period
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Individual Applicant Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- Individuals working in architecture, design, or related fields
- Collaborative teams where collaborators are coauthors, not contracted service providers
- Applicants based in the United States or internationally
Applicants may apply for both grant types but may submit only one application per year.
Prior Funding Requirements
- All reporting and contractual obligations from previous Graham Foundation grants must be fully satisfied before reapplying
Fiscal Agent Policy
A fiscal agent is not required for individual applicants.
However, individuals who are required by their organization to apply under an institutional aegis may use a fiscal agent.
Applicants intending to use a fiscal agent must:
- Follow all eligibility rules and deadlines for Grants to Individuals
- Declare the use of a fiscal agent if invited to submit a Proposal Form
Why This Grant Matters
The Graham Foundation Grant Program plays a key role in shaping architectural discourse.
The program matters because it:
- Supports independent and experimental architectural work
- Funds both research and public dissemination
- Encourages critical engagement with the built environment
- Provides credibility and visibility to funded projects
- Strengthens global architectural culture through shared knowledge
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process
Two-Stage Application Model
The application process follows a structured two-stage review system.
Stage 1: Inquiry Form
- Submit an online Inquiry Form during the annual open call period
- Provide a concise overview of the project concept, goals, and relevance
- Await review by the Graham Foundation
Stage 2: Proposal Form (By Invitation Only)
- Selected applicants are invited to submit a Proposal Form
- Submit detailed project descriptions, budgets, and supplementary materials
- Indicate any intention to use a fiscal agent
- Note that an invitation does not guarantee funding
Final Review and Award
- Final funding recommendations are reviewed by the Graham Foundation Board of Trustees
- Successful applicants must sign a grant agreement outlining reporting and acknowledgment requirements
Key Dates and Timeline for 2026
- Invitations to submit Proposal Forms: December 2025 to January 2026
- Proposal Form submission deadline: February 2026
- Grant decision notifications: May 30, 2026
- Earliest project start date: June 15, 2026
- Application deadline for Grants to Organizations: February 25, 2026
Reporting and Acknowledgement Requirements
Grant recipients must:
- Complete the project within the approved timeframe
- Submit a final grant report
- Acknowledge Graham Foundation support in all publications, exhibitions, and media outputs
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting more than one application in a single year
- Applying without a committed producer for production-stage projects
- Including ineligible costs in the budget
- Proposing timelines that exceed the allowed completion period
- Failing to complete prior grant reporting obligations
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the maximum funding available from the Graham Foundation?
Production and Presentation Grants offer up to $20,000, while Research and Development Grants offer up to $10,000.
2. Can international applicants apply?
Yes. International applicants are eligible, provided final project outputs are disseminated in English.
3. Can I apply for both grant types?
Yes, but only one application may be submitted per year.
4. Do I need a producer for a Research and Development Grant?
No. A committed producer is required only for Production and Presentation Grants.
5. Are collaborative projects eligible?
Yes. Collaborative projects are eligible if collaborators are coauthors rather than contracted service providers.
6. Is a fiscal agent required?
No. Fiscal agents are optional unless required by the applicant’s organization.
7. When can funded projects begin?
The earliest possible project start date is June 15, 2026.
Conclusion
The Graham Foundation Grant Program offers critical financial and institutional support for individuals advancing architectural thought and practice.
By funding both research and public-facing projects, the program enables rigorous exploration, production, and dissemination of ideas that shape the future of architecture and the designed environment.
For more information, visit Graham Foundation.
