MFA Thesis Grant Program

These grants of up to $2,000 provide support for MFA thesis research or creative activities. Funds are designed to cover costs related to producing new work, including research, materials, or travel or other activities related to developing the MFA thesis. 

Who Is Eligible?

UMass Amherst students enrolled in an MFA degree program (Theater, English, and Studio Arts) and in good academic standing are eligible to apply. Students may receive this grant only once. Applicants who were not awarded a grant in a previous application cycle are eligible to reapply. Students may accept only one research grant from the Graduate School in an academic year. 

Application

Submit your application for a MFA Thesis Grant via InfoReady. The InfoReady site outlines full application instructions and provides a template to prepare your budget table (look for MFA Thesis Grant in the table of funding opportunities). The application requires a letter of recommendation from your faculty advisor--you must register your letter writer in the application system before they can submit their letter. 

The application deadline is November 15 annually (unless otherwise noted in InfoReady). 

Supplements for Public Engagement or Travel with Children

Applicants for Graduate School Grants are eligible to apply for supplements to cover costs associated with Public Engagement projects or childcare/travel with children during research. Please review the criteria and application information in the Public Engagement and Travel with Children pages.

Questions on the Graduate School MFA Thesis Research Grant should be addressed to researchgrant [at] grad [dot] umass [dot] edu (Heidi Bauer-Clapp).