PUBLISHING GRANTS

• 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 and the Caribbean.
• Proposals from authors located outside of the United States will be accepted.
• 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.
• Preference will be given to early career professionals. 
• We will accept applications from first-time authors seeking to publish a dissertation or other significant scholarly work. We will also accept applications from academic presses on behalf of authors currently under contract.
• 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.
• Proposals can request funding up to $5,000. Publication costs 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.
• 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.

The online application form will ask for:

• University, department, and date degree conferred
• Title of the publication
• Amount requested
• Description of the digital access points to the publication or whether the publication will be fully digital
• Description of the book specs (if applicable) including size, cover type, word, image, and page count
• Publication timetable with estimated publication date; Estimated print run (if applicable)
• Publisher (if known)
• Name, email, phone number, and mailing address of the primary contact at the publisher
• Description of any allied programming planned in conjunction with the publication (e.g. lectures, conferences)
• List other sources of funding either committed or applied for
• Name, email, and phone number for the two academic advisors or colleagues who will each provide a separate confidential letter of reference for the publication’s importance by the March 31 application deadline

After completing the online application form, we request that you email the following items as a combined PDF attachment to grants@decorativeartstrust.org: 

• Description of the publication and its significance to decorative arts and material culture studies (1,000 words)
• Brief CV highlighting professional and academic achievements (e.g. publications, awards, conference papers)
• Table of contents, Introduction, and one or two sample chapters
• Detailed budget for the publication
• Proposed list of illustrations as well as images of 3-4 key objects to be included in the publication

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 approved by the author.

• 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 and the Caribbean.
• Proposals from authors located outside of the United States will be accepted.
• Publications are expected to contain original research which yields information of high scholarly value.
• The Trust encourages projects that advance diversity in the study of American decorative arts and material culture.
  We support in-print as well as digital publications, with an expectation that in-print books will have some level of digital accessibility.
• Publication teams that include early career professionals will receive preference.
• We will provide up to $50,000 per year in funding, and proposals can request funding from $5,000 up to $50,000, depending on the level of need.
• Independent scholars and nonprofit organizations are welcome to apply.
• All funding will be directed to the publisher upon receipt of invoices for incurred expenses.
• Acceptable costs for printed publications are: printing, binding, design, layout, editing, indexing, and production. Funding cannot be used for authors fees, overhead, photography, or licensing, reproduction, copyright, and marketing costs.
• Publications do not need to be under contract at the time of application.

The online application form will ask for:

• Title of the publication
• Amount requested
• Description of the digital access points to the publication or whether the publication will be fully digital
• Description of the book specs (if applicable) including size, cover type, word, image, and page count
• Publication timetable with estimated publication date
• Estimated print run (if applicable)
• Publisher (if known)
• Name, title, and institutional affiliation of the project leads
• Name, email, phone number, and mailing address of the primary contact
• Name, email, phone number, and mailing address for a colleague unaffiliated with the publication or the organization submitting the proposal who will provide a confidential letter of reference for the publication’s importance by the March 31 application deadline
• A description of the anticipated audience and how the publication will be distributed
• Description of allied programming planned in conjunction with the publication (e.g. lectures, conferences)
• List other sources of funding either committed or applied for

After completing the online application form, we request that you email the following items as a combined PDF attachment to grants@decorativeartstrust.org:

• Description of the publication subject matter and significance of the outcomes (1,000 words)
• Brief CVs of project leads highlighting professional and academic achievements (e.g. publications, awards, conference papers)
• Table of contents
• Detailed budget for the publication
• If the publication is part of a larger project (e.g. exhibition, conference), include costs for the full scope
• Images of 10 key objects to be discussed and illustrated in the publication
• If the applicant is a nonprofit institution, please provide the most recent IRS Form 990.

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 reports at the conclusion of the publication project as well as additional deliverables.