PUBLISHING GRANTS FOR FIRST-TIME AUTHORS OF BOOK-LENGTH PUBLICATIONS

This program is focused specifically to support an author’s first book-length publication (based on a completed dissertation, thesis, or other scholarly research) that increases the awareness and appreciation of important areas of material culture.

Deadline

Grant applications must be submitted no later than March 31 each year. Successful applicants will be notified prior to June 30. If selected, we will require written reports at the conclusion of the publication project as well as additional deliverables as stipulated in the grant agreement.

Amount and Allocation

Proposals can request funding up to $5,000. Subventions tied to the quantity and size of images to be included, the number of color versus black-and-white illustrations, as well as obtaining permission and reproduction rights are permitted. Monies also can be used toward the digitization of an in-print publication. All funding will be directed to the publisher or the author upon receipt of invoices for incurred expenses.

Guidelines

Please review these specifications before applying:  

• We use the terms decorative arts and material culture in relation to three-dimensional objects but will also consider proposals that focus on decorative painting, prints, maps, and wallpaper as well as those that analyze the interiors for which objects were designed or in which they were placed.
• Proposed topics should focus on objects made or used in an American context, defined as North, Central, and South America as well as the Caribbean.
• The Trust encourages projects that advance diversity in the study of American decorative arts and material culture.
• Publications are expected to contain original research which yields information of high scholarly value.
• Proposals from authors located outside of the United States will be accepted.
• Preference will be given to early career professionals who have completed a terminal degree.
• We will accept applications from authors seeking to publish their first book-length project based upon a dissertation or other significant scholarly work. We will also accept applications from academic presses on behalf of authors currently under contract.
• Publications do not need to be under contract at the time of application, but preference will be given to authors who have a contract in hand or a manuscript under review.
• We intend to support in-print as well as digital publications, with an expectation that some portion of the content of in-print books will have some level of digital accessibility.
• As part of our funding guidelines, grant recipients are expected to maintain a membership with the Trust during the year(s) in which funding is provided. Our website outlines the various membership levels and benefits we offer. The Student & Young Professional tier is designed to be an accessible option for grant recipients who are graduate students and early career professionals within five years of obtaining a degree. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about this requirement.

Please follow the application procedures below.

Step 1. Complete the online application form, which will ask for:

• Your name and contact information
• University, department, and date degree conferred
• Title of the publication
• Amount requested
• Estimated publication date
• Estimated print run, if applicable
• Description of the book specs, if applicable, including size, cover type, word, image, and page count
• Publisher (if known) or publishers you plan to contact
• Name, email, phone number, and mailing address of the primary contact at the publisher, if applicable
• Names, emails, and phone numbers for the two academic advisors or colleagues who will each email grants@decorativeartstrust.org a separate confidential letter of reference for the publication’s importance by the March 31 application deadline

If you encounter issues submitting this form, please contact us at grants@decorativeartstrust.org. 

Step 2. Email the following items as a combined PDF attachment to grants@decorativeartstrust.org:

• Section I (no more than 2 pages)
  • Your name
  • Title of the publication
  • Description of the publication and its significance to decorative arts and material culture studies
  • Publication timetable
  • Description of the digital access points to the publication or whether the publication will be fully digital
  • Description of any allied programming planned in conjunction with the publication (e.g. lectures, conferences)
  • Other sources of funding either committed or applied for
• Section II (no more than 2 pages)
  • Detailed budget for the full publication as well as an indication of how the grant will be applied
• Section III (no more than 20 pages)
  • Table of contents, Introduction, and and up to 10 pages of a sample chapter
• Section IV (no more than 4 pages)
  • Proposed list of illustrations
  • Images of 5 or 6 key objects to be included in the publication with captions (maker, title, date, location of creation, etc.). Please include at least one image for which you have existing permission or that is in the public domain or creative commons, and please indicate this image in the caption.
• Section V (no more than 2 pages)
  • Brief CV highlighting professional and academic achievements (e.g. publications, awards, conference papers)

Download PDF template document.

Step 3. Ask two academic advisors or colleagues to email separate confidential letters of reference for the publication’s importance to grants@decorativeartstrust.org by the March 31 application deadline.

Recipients

2025 

• 2025 Recipients Overview
• Mariah Kupfner, Penn State Harrisburg

Questions? Contact us at grants@decorativeartstrust.org.