Independent Creative Production Grants
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply?
Only University of Pennsylvania faculty (standing and non-standing) and staff are eligible to apply for Sachs Program Independent Creative Production Grants. Full-time Penn students who also work as staff or teach courses should apply in the Student Grants category.
What do the grants support?
- Independent Creative Production Grants offer Penn faculty and staff members resources to support (partially or fully) the production of their artistic work.
- Examples of previously supported projects can be reviewed on our website.
How much can I apply for?
Applicants may request up to $7,500.
How and when do I receive the grant funds?
- Individuals now have two options for receiving and spending against their grant funds.
- Applicants may identify a University of Pennsylvania department, program, or center to manage the grant funds as a designated Fiscal Conduit.
- Applicants may alternatively receive the full grant as an award. This option allows grantees to manage grant funds directly, which can sometimes be more efficient.
- Please refer to our general information page about grants disbursement for complete guidelines about receiving grant funds. Understanding these guidelines is important as we cannot provide support outside of university-approved options for receiving and managing grant funds.
- The earliest date funds may be available in the 2025 grants cycle is May 2025, though in most cases, they will be available in June or July. This timeline depends on several factors, including the responsiveness of grantees and their designated Fiscal Conduit (when applicable).
- Any questions? Please email Sachs Program Associate Director Chloe Reison at reison@upenn.edu.
Apply
Independent Creative Production Grants are now closed for the 2025 grants cycle.
We are not accepting applications for Sachs Program Independent Creative Production Grants at this time. The deadline to submit a completed Independent Creative Production Grant application in the 2025 grants cycle was January 10, 2025. Up to date information about Independent Creative Production Grants will be shared in advance of the 2026 grants cycle.
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Evaluation Process
Independent Creative Production Grant applications are evaluated by a group of committee members, which may include former grantees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members. All deliberations will be guided by Sachs Program grantmaking priorities and criteria.
Award decisions for the 2025 grants cycle will be made in March 2025.