The Student Innovation Fund, generously funded by Ellen Rudnick ’72, is a strategic initiative designed to foster and further student-led innovations, with a preference for creative, socially minded, or academically focused projects. This funding seeks to encourage experimentation, research, and innovation across disciplines, with flexible funding to help transform bold ideas into real-world impact.
$10,000
Awarded Each Year
$5,000
Maximum award for discover grants
$500
Maximum award for Develop grants
Fund Overview
The Student Innovation Fund, administered by the Vassar Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VIE) Program, provides funding to support a diverse range of creative, socially minded, and academic projects throughout the academic year.
We aim to support a balanced mix of project types, including socially driven initiatives, artistic and cultural work, and startup ventures, to reflect the full scope of innovation at Vassar. Through these awards, we seek to contribute to Vassar’s well-founded culture of undergraduate opportunity and support the creative and innovative efforts of students in their research, coursework, and personal endeavors. In doing so, we aim to recognize and support the work of students across disciplines and lived experiences, ensuring that innovation at Vassar reflects and amplifies the richness, breadth, and ingenuity of our full community.
We expect and encourage applications of varying complexity and are positioning this fund to support a variety of innovations. Project proposals that are more complex, and requesting higher funding amounts, will require a faculty advisor, where applications under $500 will be considered micro-grants and are designed to off-set the costs of one-time purchases (such as professional development, equipment, fees, etc.).
Each year, two grant types are given across five categories, ensuring support for a wide range of student interests and approaches.
Categories
Applicants may apply in more than one category, but will only be awarded in one.
Art, Performance, Film and Creative Writing
Support for creative expression in all form, from gallery installations and film projects to music, theater, and writing.
Social Enterprises and Nonprofits
Ideas that address social challenges, improve community life, or build mission-driven organizations.
Academic Research and Projects
Scholarly investigations or independent projects that push knowledge forward in any discipline.
Technology and Start-Ups
Experiments, prototypes, or ventures that explore technology, entrepreneurship, or innovative products and services.
Freestyle / Open
Projects that don’t fit neatly into a single category — unconventional ideas welcome!
Grant Types
Discover Grants
A Discover Grant is a Fund type intended to support exploratory, process-based student ventures. It is exploratory in nature — the emphasis is not on a final outcome, rather on testing, iterating, learning, and possibly redefining what the venture is or could become. This funding is for students who are deeply innovative, whether they are ready to pursue a vision, challenge a problem, or test a hunch, even if they are unsure where it may end up.
The core philosophy of our Discover Grants is that we fund people, not just ideas; this funding supports students in the act of exploring, designing, and discovering, even if that means revising or abandoning their original path.
Some examples of strong Discover Grant proposals include:
- Researching barriers to voting access for college students in Dutchess County.
- Testing how QR codes and augmented reality could activate student art exhibits.
- Designing and running usability tests on a wellness check-in chatbot for students.
- Investigating how climate narratives shape climate anxiety in youth populations.
- Exploring the role of digital avatars in identity exploration.
Up to $5,000* per Award
While applicants can apply for up to $5,000 in funding, the amount you request should be appropriate, realistic, and directly reflective of your project’s scope and needs. Strong proposals include a thoughtful budget and a clear rationale for each expense.
Develop Grants
A Develop Grant is a funding opportunity intended to cover a specific, one-time cost that directly advances a student’s venture. It is not exploratory in nature — the need is concrete, the cost is defined, and the impact is immediate or near-term. This funding is for students who know what they need, how much it costs, and how and why it will help them move their venture forward.
This funding opportunity’s purpose is to reduce initial or one-off financial costs that would otherwise stall or prevent meaningful progress on a venture, particularly for those that may not require full project funding or advising.
Some examples of strong Develop Grant proposals include:
- Buying specialty inks and paper to complete a limited-run artist zine.
- Purchasing translation services to make an outreach resource multilingual.
- Buying fieldwork equipment (e.g., analog recorder, field journal, camera) for an independent study.
- Purchasing testing credits or storage to run simulations or backend trials.
- Covering registration fees for an entrepreneurial conference.
Up to $500 per Award
Eligibility
- Open to all current Vassar students (any class year or major) in good academic standing.
- Students may apply individually or as part of a team.
- Projects can be academic, co-curricular, or independent.
- Previous recipients may not apply in the succeeding year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Student Innovation Fund?
Any current Vassar student from any class year and any major in good academic standing (ie. not an academic probation) can apply. You may apply as an individual or as part of a team.
Do I need to have a fully developed idea?
No. Discover Grants are specifically designed for early-stage, exploratory ideas.
How do I know whether to apply for a Discover Grant or a Develop Grant?
Apply for a Discover Grant if your project is still exploratory and you’re testing or iterating.
Apply for a Develop Grant if you have a clear, one-time cost that will directly advance your project.
What kind of projects are eligible?
Projects can fall into one of five categories:
- Art, Performance, Film, and Creative Writing
- Social Enterprises and Nonprofits
- Academic Research and Projects
- Technology and Start-Ups
- Freestyle / Open
At least one award is given in each category.
Can I apply for both a Discover and a Develop Grant?
Yes, but not for the same project at the same time. For example, you might start with a Discover Grant to explore an idea, and later apply for a Develop Grant once your needs are more defined.
How much funding can I request?
Funding amounts vary depending on the grant type, but proposals should clearly outline what you need and why. While applicants can apply for up to either $500 or $5,000 in funding depending on the proposal type, the amount you request should be appropriate, realistic, and directly reflective of your project’s scope and needs. Strong proposals include a thoughtful budget and a clear rationale for each expense.
Will my faculty advisor receive compensation?
Yes! Faculty advisors to any Discover Grant project will be provided a $500 stipend per semester, up to two semesters; however, there is no need to include your faculty advisor’s stipend cost in your proposal amount. These stipends are not taken from the awarded amount, rather they are paid separately.
What's the application process like?
Applications open September 15th each year, and are due November 15th. You’ll complete a short online form that asks about your idea, your goals, and how the grant will support your project.
Will you help me with my application?
Absolutely! In fact, we highly encourage you to meet with us before you submit your application Reach out to Julian Aguilar, the Student Innovation Fund administrator, at jaguilar@vassar.edu to find a time to meet and review your application.
What if my project changes after I get the grant?
That’s expected, especially for Discover Grants. Just let us know! The Fund is designed to support iteration, rethinking, and even failure as part of the learning process.
When will I hear back about my application?
Applications will be evaluated by the Student Innovation Fund selection committee between November 17–21, 2025, and recipients will be notified on November 25, 2025.
Who do I contact if I have more questions?
Reach out to Julian Aguilar, the Student Innovation Fund administrator, at jaguilar@vassar.edu. We’re happy to talk through your idea and help you decide which grant is right for you.