GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

The Decorative Arts Trust supports a robust system of grants, scholarships, lectures, and internships.

Prize for Excellence and Innovation

The Decorative Arts Trust awards the $100,000 Prize for Excellence and Innovation annually to a scholarly endeavor undertaken by a nonprofit organization, such as museum exhibitions, print and digital publications, conservation and preservation projects, and online databases. Projects for consideration must advance the public’s appreciation of decorative arts, fine arts, architecture, or landscape design. Deadline: June 30.

Emerging Scholars Program

The objective of the Emerging Scholars Program is to encourage the next generation of museum curators and decorative arts historians. These initiatives are supported by directed gifts made by Trust members.

For Emerging Scholars: 

• Publishing Grants up to $5,000 are available for book-length academic publications based on completed dissertations or by first-time authors. Deadline: March 31.
• Research Grants are travel grants up to $2,000 for graduate students working on a Masters thesis or PhD dissertation on the decorative arts or a related field. Deadline: April 30.
• Continuing Education Scholarships include funding to attend the Trust’s domestic Symposia and international Study Trips Abroad as well as professional development opportunities through partner organizations. Deadlines vary based on program.
• Emerging Scholar Lectures offer emerging scholars opportunities to speak at prominent symposia, colloquia, and conferences. Deadlines and procedures vary based on program. 

For Cultural Institutions: 

• Publishing Grants up to $50,000 are available for book-length publications tied to collections, exhibitions, and conference papers. Deadline: March 31.
• IDEAL Internship Grants for up to $5,000 are provided for internships that promote inclusivity, diversity, equity, access, and leadership for undergraduate students. Deadline: August 31.
• Curatorial Internship Grants are two-year grants up to $45,000 per year to underwrite a curatorial internship for a recent Masters or PhD graduate. Deadline: September 30.
• Dean F. Failey Exhibition & Conservation Grants up to $15,000 support noteworthy exhibition and object-based conservation projects. Deadline: October 31.

Learn more about the origins of the Emerging Scholars Program, and read about the Providing a Future for Students of the Past campaign for the Emerging Scholars Program.

Grant Recipients Map

This map illustrates the location of a portion of the hundreds of historic sites, museums, and universities that have partnered with the Trust through our Emerging Scholars Program.