Uncategorized – Research Funding Opportunities

Description: The National Academy of Design invites artists, architects, arts and community-based organizations, and other nonprofits to submit applications for the 2021 Abbey Mural Prize, which awards grants to support the commission of public murals in the United States. Building on a tradition of public murals as instruments of social activism, neighborhood revitalization, and community engagement, the Abbey Mural Prize aims to broaden support and recognition of the vital role that murals play in making public space more open and accessible. Grants will be awarded for the creation or restoration of public murals, especially those that promote accessibility, serve local audiences, and inspire community dialogue. The Academy will hold an Abbey Mural Prize Information Session on March 23, 2021.

Award: Grants typically range from $10,000 to $40,000 USD in minimally restricted support for the production and installation of mural(s) on and within public buildings and on buildings owned by charitable institutions.

Eligibility: Applications are open to all artists, architects, designers, as well as arts and community-based organizations and other nonprofits. Project leads must be eighteen years of age or over. Project proposals must be for sites located within the United States, Tribal Nations, and U.S. territories including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Projects must be public and have start dates before June 30, 2022.

Deadline: April 23, 2021

Description: The E-ROBOT Prize is designed to catalyze the development of minimally invasive, low-cost, and holistic building envelope retrofit solutions that make retrofits easier, faster, safer, and more accessible for workers. Competitors participate in two phases that will fast-track efforts to identify, develop, and validate disruptive solutions to meet building industry needs. Phase 1 – Concept and Design: In this phase, teams are expected to present an innovative idea that solves a known industry problem for building envelope retrofits. This phase focuses on proving that the solution solves a critical building envelope need, developing a concept and design, and forming a team capable of achieving success. Up to 10 Phase 1 winners will win $200,000 and will then be eligible to compete in Phase 2. Phase 2 – Build and Validate: Winning competitors from Phase 1 will take their individual components add the other required functionality to create a holistic, and “turnkey,” integrated product offering. In Phase 2, up to four winners will win $500,000.

Award: Phase 1: $200,000 per winning team (up to 10); Phase 2: $500,000 per winning team (up to 4)

Eligibility: Competitors are entrepreneurial individuals or teams legally residing or based in the United States. Competitors can be individuals of one or multiple organizations, students, university faculty members, small business owners, researchers, or anyone with the desire and drive to transform an idea into an impactful solution.

Deadline: 5 pm ET, May 12, 2021