Creative Inquiry Grant Program

The Curb Center awards grants to support Vanderbilt undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and staff as they engage in arts-based inquiry and action on Vanderbilt’s campus and in the broader community. The Creative Inquiry Grant Program awards grants for projects that center the arts in campus and community life by:

fostering arts-based community engagement programs, projects, and events;
building the capacity of the Vanderbilt community to formulate and implement creative approaches to campus and/or community challenges;
piloting innovative ideas in curricula, media, design, creative practice, and expression;
facilitating creative connections across disciplinary, social, and institutional boundaries.

We have awarded more than 100 grants for projects ranging from exploring doctor-patient narratives to creating a quilt of shared experiences; from reimagining prison art to exploring the blurred lines between research and art; and from hosting a virtual soul food festival to producing an immigrant cookbook featuring recipes and stories from home. See past and current awards to learn more about the projects we have funded.

Applying for an Inquiry Grant

Creative Inquiry Grant awards are based on the applicant’s role at Vanderbilt:

Faculty and staff can apply for up to $2,500;
Graduate students can apply for up to $1500;
Undergraduate students can apply for up to $500.

On occasion, we will consider applications from interdisciplinary teams of applicants requesting larger award amounts. If you would like to be considered for an amount larger than what is outlined above, please contact Rachel Thompson. Teams must still submit the application form upon approval to apply for a larger award amount.

In addition to funding, award recipients may use the Curb Center’s workspaces, event spaces, and studios, as well as material resources to support successful project outcomes.

How to Apply

Applications for Creative Inquiry Grants are currently closed until August 12, 2024. Please read this page for up-to-date information about the 2024–2025 grant cycle, including rolling deadlines. Click here for a preview of the 2024–2025 Creative Inquiry Grant application form. .

To apply for a Creative Inquiry Grant, please fill out the application form in its entirety. Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you have any questions about the application, please contact Rachel Thompson to schedule a virtual or in-person meeting.

Stipulations and Allowable Expenses

The Curb Center’s Creative Inquiry Grant Program does not fund the following types of award requests:

Travel
Class assignments or projects
Professional development funds, including faculty research and conference registration fees

Allowable expenses may include:

Material purchases (e.g. art supplies, office supplies, and other consumable materials related to the project)
Event catering and snacks related to the completion of the project
Professional services, honoraria, and subject participation for non-Vanderbilt individuals within the United States (with prior approval from the Curb Center)
Space and equipment rental fees related to the completion of project

Unallowable expenses include:

Travel and lodging fees
Conference registration fees
Software licenses and/or subscriptions for multiple users
Direct payments to Vanderbilt students, faculty, and/or staff
Payments or honoraria to individuals or businesses outside the United States

Award Timelines

Applications are accepted monthly throughout the academic year with the following deadlines:

September 6, 2024 (award notifications sent on September 13, 2024)
October 4, 2024 (award notifications sent on October 11, 2024)
November 1, 2024 (award notifications sent on November 8, 2024)
January 10, 2025 (award notifications sent on January 17, 2025)
February 7, 2025 (award notifications sent on February 15, 2025) Last deadline for undergraduate/graduate student submissions
March 7, 2025 (award notifications sent on March 14, 2025) Please note that the March application deadline is only open to faculty and staff applicants.

Projects must be completed, expenses reconciled, and reports submitted by Friday, May 2, 2025.

Award Process

The Curb Center’s leadership team will review proposals and notify applicants of their status on the dates listed above. Award recipients will receive a formal letter containing the details of their award, purchasing and reimbursement procedures, and instructions for writing the grant report. All award recipients are required to attend an orientation with David Wilson, program coordinator, and Rachel Thompson, program manager, to learn further information about grant procedures. Orientations will be scheduled according to recipients’ availability each month.

Grant Reports

The Curb Center requires an expense log and grant report upon the completion of your project, no later than May 2, 2025. Details and further instructions on grant reports will be covered during orientation meetings each month.