Deadline: 17-Oct-2025
The Craft Research Fund supports innovative and interdisciplinary research about craft in the United States. It was established to encourage and expand the field of craft research by providing financial support to individuals and institutions engaged in meaningful studies.
Grants range from $5,000 to $15,000, with a funding period of 18 months. The funding is intended for research-related expenses. At least 85% of the funds must be used directly for research activities such as travel, living expenses, accessing archives or conferences, hiring research assistance, commissioning essays, photography, and obtaining documentation or rights to use images or texts.
Museums, galleries, universities, and organizations must limit staffing and overhead costs to no more than 15% of the total budget request. For individuals, a rationale must be provided for any stipend or honorarium. Capital equipment purchases, such as laptops and printers, are not eligible. All grant recipients are expected to fairly compensate working artists for their contributions to the research.
Applications are welcomed from independent and academic researchers, curators, artist-researchers, organizations, and institutions. This grant is strictly for research purposes and not for artwork creation or dissemination of completed work. Applicants must be able to receive and report taxable income in the U.S. and be at least 18 years old.
Ineligible applicants include substantial contributors to the Center for Craft, current employees or board members, and their immediate family. Those with incomplete or ongoing previous grants from the Center are also ineligible. Only one grant or fellowship from the Center may be awarded per year per applicant. Awards cannot be postponed to the following year.
The Center for Craft actively encourages applications from historically underrepresented populations and maintains a strict non-discrimination policy. Receiving a grant is not guaranteed, even after applying.
Applications are reviewed for completeness by Center staff and evaluated by an independent panel of craft scholars and curators. Selection criteria include how well the proposal aligns with the Craft Research Fund’s goals, the potential impact of the research, and the feasibility of the proposed project.
Grantees must submit a final report that includes 3–5 research-related images, audience engagement data from associated events, a narrative on project outcomes, and a budget report.
For more information, visit Center for Craft.
