Architecture + Design Independent Projects Grants

Overview

Architecture + Design Independent Projects Grants

The Independent Projects grant program is a partnership between the New York State Council on the Arts and The Architectural League of New York, awarding grants for New York State-based individuals and teams to explore a design topic through creation or research.

For the 2025 cycle, this program will award 25 grants of $10,000 to proposals in design fields including architecture, landscape architecture, historic preservation, biodesign, community-centered design, fashion, graphic, industrial, and interior design.
Continuing a successful collaboration since 2022, the League and NYSCA are pleased to offer the Independent Projects grant program for 2025. The League will directly receive all applications and, together with NYSCA, will convene a panel of experts in design who will evaluate submissions and select projects for funding. Read on for an overview of the program and requirements, and download the complete 2025 Program Guidelines for full information on general requirements, eligibility, and the application process.

Program goals

For many years, both NYSCA and the League have supported diverse and creative explorations in design. Recognizing design as an art form that can enhance our quality of life, Independent Projects seeks proposals that emphasize artistry, that may contribute to a broader understanding of design, and/or that advance a design discipline. Imperatively, design must be at the core of any proposal, and the outcome must be accessible to the public. Projects might create a design prototype, develop new strategies of community-based design, research a topic in design history, or engage in critical or theoretical analysis, to name just some of the many possible approaches.
Where can design go next? Through this partnership, we welcome proposals that seek to answer this question.

Eligibility

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Application Details

Independent
Projects
Independent
Projects
a program of NYSCA and
The Architectural League of New York
Program Guidelines

The 2025 Independent Projects grant program
is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts
with the support of the Office of the Governor
and the New York State Legislature.
Contents
3 Program Introduction
3 Program Goals
3 Key Dates
4 Program Contacts
4 Funding Restrictions and Ineligible Activities
4 Applicant and Project Eligibility
5 Proof of New York State Residency
6 Submission Checklist
6 Evaluation Criteria
7 Application Walkthrough
12 Frequently Asked Questions
Deadline for submissions:
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
11:59 p.m. ET
Updated April 1, 2025 2

Program Introduction 2025
The Independent Projects grant program is a partnership between the New York State Council on the Arts
(NYSCA) and The Architectural League of New York. In 2025, the program will award 25 grants of $10,000 for
New York State-based individuals or teams of individuals to explore a design topic through creation or research.
Relevant design fields may include, but are not limited to, architecture, landscape architecture, historic
preservation, biodesign, community-centered design, fashion, graphic, industrial, and interior design.
Continuing a successful collaboration since 2022, the League and NYSCA are pleased to offer the Independent
Projects program for the 2025–2026 cycle. The League will directly receive all applications and, together with
NYSCA, will convene a panel of experts in design who will evaluate submissions and select projects for funding.
This guide provides an overview of the 2025 program, key dates and program contacts, prerequisites and
eligibility requirements, and a complete walkthrough of the application submission process.
What’s New in 2025
Please take note of the following key changes for the 2025 Independent Projects application cycle:
• For this cycle, the activity period for awarded projects will be October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026 to
accommodate the current application timeline.
Program Goals
For many years, both NYSCA and the League have supported diverse and creative explorations in design.
Recognizing design as an art form that can enhance our quality of life, Independent Projects seeks proposals
that emphasize artistry and design excellence, that may contribute to a broader understanding of design, and/or
that advance a design discipline. Imperatively, design must be at the core of any proposal, and the outcome
must be accessible to the public. Projects might create a design prototype, develop new strategies of
community-based design, research a topic in design history, or engage in critical or theoretical analysis, to name
just some of the many possible approaches.
Where can design go next? Through this partnership, we welcome proposals that seek to answer this question.
Key Dates
April 2, 2025: Independent Projects guidelines are posted and application portal opens.
June 4, 2025: Deadline for submissions. Application portal closes at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Please note: Program staff will not be available to assist you after 6:00 p.m. ET.
July–August 2025: Review panel convenes and award decisions are made.
August–September 2025: Applicants are notified of panel decisions and grants are finalized
October 1, 2025: Award period starts and project activity commences
September 30, 2026: Award period ends and project activity concludes
Project leads prepare reports on work carried out during the award period
Program Deadline
The deadline for all submissions is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. We strongly
encourage you to prepare and submit your application well before this deadline! Late proposals, modifications,
or updates will not be accepted after this deadline has passed. We are not able to consider any request for an
extension of time to submit a proposal. If you are experiencing a technical issue with the Award Force platform
that prevents you from completing your proposal, you must notify us before the deadline to receive assistance.
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Program Contact
We welcome questions about your proposal, your eligibility, or this program generally. Please direct all inquiries
to The Architectural League’s primary program contact:
Architectural League Program Contact
Daniel Cioffi
Development & Operations Manager, The Architectural League
cioffi@archleague.org
Phone calls available on request
Funding Restrictions and Ineligible Activities
Independent Projects awards may be used to compensate the artist’s or team’s time spent on project activities,
as well as related project expenses, consumable materials, and travel expenses within New York State only. This
is a competitive grant program and not all proposals will receive funding. Each successful proposal will be
awarded $10,000.
New York State law and NYSCA policy restrict the types of activities and expenditures that NYSCA funds may
support. For Independent Projects awards, the following types of expenditures are not allowed:
• Debt reductions
• Competitions and contests
• Projects or activities that occur outside of New York State
• Entertainment costs for receptions, openings, and fundraising events
• Expenditures to establish a new organization or alter the status of an existing organization
• Administrative fees or overhead charged by an affiliated institution or university
• Operating expenses of privately-owned facilities (such as homes and studios)
• Out-of-state travel expenses
• Projects led by public school districts, or their components or affiliates
• Projects that are part of a university curriculum or that are required for a degree-granting program
• Projects that are essentially recreational, rehabilitative, or therapeutic
• Projects of New York State agencies or departments
Applicant and Project Eligibility
To be eligible for Independent Projects support, the applying individual or team must meet the following
criteria:
1. Independent Projects is open to individuals and groups of individuals only. Organizations and their
representatives, including schools and universities, 501(c)(3) organizations, neighborhood and business
districts, and parks, are not eligible to apply. However, applicants may propose work that involves
collaboration with these entities in an independent capacity.
2. The applicant(s) must be current residents of New York State and must remain so throughout the award
period. They must be prepared to show proof of residency upon request if selected for an award. For
more information on this requirement see the following section, Proof of New York State residency.
3. The proposed work must be carried out within New York State, and the resulting outcome or product
must be accessible to audiences in New York State. Activities occurring out of state are not eligible for
support, with limited exceptions for specialized services that cannot be procured in state.
4. The applicant(s) must be a professional in their related design field. Design fields include, but are not
limited to, architecture, landscape architecture, historic preservation, biodesign, community-centered
design, graphic design, fashion design, industrial design and interior design. Architectural and design
historians, journalists, and critics qualify. Visual artists proposing work that references the built
environment are not eligible for support through this program.
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5. The project must emphasize design and the ways that the creative process can make an impact on the
topic or problem the applicant seeks to explore.
6. Proposals must represent the truly independent and self-generated work of the applicant(s). Activities
that are initiated by, or credited to, an organization or academic institution are not eligible for support.
This category does not support past work or current commissioned work for a client.
7. Applicants may be associated with only one project request per year. If individuals appear on more than
one request, both requests will be deemed ineligible for support.
8. Faculty in architecture or design schools are welcome to apply. However, their proposed projects
cannot be part of a course curriculum including undergraduate or graduate studios.
9. Student projects are ineligible for support. Currently matriculated students must demonstrate that their
project is not related to the completion of a degree.
10. Individuals who have been employed by NYSCA or The Architectural League within two years of the
grant deadline are not eligible for this program.
11. Individuals who are currently part of an in-progress Independent Projects grant are not eligible to apply
in 2025, alone or as part of a team. Past recipients must have submitted an approved final report to
qualify for support again in 2025.
12. Individuals who applied in a previous cycle and were not selected for funding are welcome to reapply,
either with a new proposal or a revision to an earlier concept (provided the concept was not previously
deemed ineligible for support).
13. Please Note: This Program does not support restoration or preservation of buildings, landscapes, or
objects.
14. Please Note: Applicants seeking support for theater production-related set design, costume design, and
lighting design should refer to NYSCA’s Support for Artists opportunity.
Proof of New York State Residency
Each applicant, and each team member, must have their primary residence within New York State at the time of
submission and throughout the award period, if their proposal is selected for funding. Failure to adhere to this
requirement will result in forfeiture of award funds.
Proof of New York State residency requires two of the documents per individual from the list below, at least one
of which must have been dated or issued in 2025. Both documents must contain that individual’s name and
exactly matching home address. Documents showing the same building address but different unit numbers are
not acceptable as matches. You should block out personal information from these documents, particularly
sensitive information such as financial details or Social Security Number; name and address are all that is
needed.
You will be asked to present this documentation if your proposal is selected for funding, but you should prepare
your documents prior to submission to ensure that you meet the requirements. The League and NYSCA reserve
the right to request additional documentation, if deemed necessary, to verify New York State residency.
The following documents are acceptable as proof of residency:
• Home utility bill dated no earlier than January 2025
• Credit card statement dated no earlier than January 2025 (Name and address page only; financial and
account information should be blocked)
• Bank statement dated no earlier than January 2025 (Name and address page only; financial and account
information should be blocked)
• New York State or Federal Tax Form for tax year 2024 (First page only; social security and financial
information should be blocked)
• Current lease or mortgage agreement for a home residence showing the individual’s name and a New
York State address.
• Current valid New York State Driver’s license or New York State ID card (License number should be
blocked)
• Current valid Voter Registration card
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Submission Checklist
You will submit your proposal from within your own account on The Architectural League’s award management
platform, Award Force. Instructions for creating an Award Force account and starting an entry are given in the
Walkthrough section of this guide below.
This checklist shows the components of the submission form in Award Force. Each of these pieces is described
in more detail in the relevant area of the walkthrough.
o Certifications of eligibility and New York State residency (you will be asked to show proof of residency
documents if your project is selected for funding)
o Contact information, team, and project overview
o Project narrative: 10,000 characters maximum, responding to the 6 areas of the project narrative prompt
o Required supporting uploads:
o 1-page résumé or CV for each team member (1 combined PDF, maximum 10 MB)
o Visual, textual, or audio materials. Choose one of the below options that best serves your
proposed project:
o 1 PDF file of images and captions, maximum 12 pages
§ Applicants proposing a publication may devote up to 3 pages to sample or draft
text, and up to 1 page to a publication outline, with remaining pages devoted to
images. The total upload should not exceed 12 pages.
o or 1 video clip, maximum 3 minutes long
o or 1 audio clip, maximum 3 minutes long
o Additional supporting details for projects that require commitment or permission from another party,
such as publications, installations, and exhibitions
Evaluation Criteria
Each proposal will be evaluated according to how fully it responds to the three program criteria: Impact and
Creativity, Project Execution, and Audience and Accessibility. These criteria should inform every part of your
materials. Successful submissions will make the case for a project that advances a new idea or creative
approach to a problem in design; can realistically be accomplished during the grant period; utilizes the specific
expertise of the individual or team; and presents a clear plan to reach and benefit the public of New York State.
Impact and Creativity
“Impact and Creativity” prioritizes support for innovative ideas that push a given design field forward and
demonstrate the outcome of the creative process. In addressing this criterion, make sure your project is
described clearly, providing details and avoiding jargon. It should be framed within your design field and
demonstrate awareness of existing work or research that is relevant to your project area. If you are in a research
or prototyping phase, make sure to describe the questions/approaches you will explore in 2025–2026.
Project Execution
“Project Execution” asks you to demonstrate how you have designed your project to best use your own
expertise. The strongest requests make clear that the applicants are specifically qualified to pursue this work,
possess the relevant background experience, and have a viable plan to meet the stated goals within the award
period. If the work proposed requires more than $10,000, requests should clearly show how these outside funds
will be raised.
Audience and Accessibility
As NYSCA is a public funder, it is crucial that the work produced with these awards is accessible to public
audiences in New York State. The “Audience and Accessibility” criterion requires that your project has a life
outside of your office or studio. Clearly identify your target audience and describe a realistic plan and means to
disseminate your proposed work. If the public dimension will occur outside of the award year (October 1, 2025–
September 30, 2026), please explain.
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Application Walkthrough
The Architectural League will accept all submissions through our Award Force platform. Applicants should begin
by registering for an account at archleague.awardsplatform.com. Creating an account will give you or your team
access to the Independent Projects application form. The platform will allow you to save your progress and
return later, upload your supporting materials, view your submission history, and more.
For team submissions, only one team member should complete and submit the proposal. The application form
provides a section to list additional team members and their contact information.
Individuals may be associated with only one submission per cycle. Any individual being named as a key team
member on more than one project will result in disqualification of all associated submissions.
STEP 1: Register an account at archleague.awardsplatform.com
Begin by creating an account on The Architectural League’s Award Force platform here. You will create your
own username and password. To register, you must accept the Award Force cookie policy and terms of service,
and give the League permission to send you emails through Award Force for important notifications about your
application. Note: If you opt out of Award Force platform emails, you will not receive important
notifications, including submission confirmation emails.
Returning users who have already created an Award Force account with the League do not need to create a new
account.
Once you have created an account, check your inbox for a verification link. You will need to verify your email
before you can start an application.
STEP 2: Start a new Independent Projects entry
When your account is successfully created and verified, you can log into the platform landing page. Click the
Start new entry button to begin a new application.
Competition
From the dropdown list, select Independent Projects.
Be sure to select the right program. If you create an entry for a different competition by mistake, you’ll see the
wrong application form and your submission will not be reviewed.
Applicant Name
This field is auto-populated with your name.
Tip: When you have completed this section, and for each section following, click the “Save + next”
button to continue to the next page. You can select “Save + close” to save your work and log out or
return later.
Tip: Text areas in this application form will automatically limit your responses to a given number of
characters (not words). Character limits are indicated next to each question. Special formatting is not
supported in these fields and will be removed from responses that are copied and pasted from other text
editors.
STEP 3: Verify and confirm your eligibility
On this page, you must certify your eligibility for this program by checking the boxes, indicating agreement.
Certification of eligibility
Here, you certify that you have read the eligibility requirements on pages 4-5 of these guidelines, and that you,
your team members, and your project meet all the criteria for eligibility.
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Certification of New York State residency
Here, you certify that you and your team members are current residents of New York State, and that you intend
to remain so for the duration of the award period (October 1, 2025–September 30, 2026). You also acknowledge
that you and your team will be required to show proof of residency if selected for funding. Grant recipients who
relocate out of New York State during the grant period are required to notify the League immediately.
Proceed to the next section.
STEP 4: Evaluation Criteria
This page describes the three key criteria that the Independent Projects panelists will use to evaluate and select
proposals for funding: “Impact and Creativity,” “Project Execution,” and “Audience and Accessibility.” Please
read them carefully, as these criteria should inform every part of your application. You can also refer to the full
descriptions of the criteria on page 6 of the Guidelines, above.
Proceed to the next section.
STEP 5: Project Overview
This section asks you to provide general information about yourself, your team members, and your project. The
responses you provide here are necessary to identify your project, but are not evaluated or scored.
First and Last Name of Applicant
Enter your first and last name. If you are applying as a team, provide information for the project lead or primary
contact.
Applicant Email
Enter the email address for the primary contact.
We will communicate primarily through email about the status of your submission, so be sure to use an email
address you check frequently.
Applicant Phone Number
Enter the phone number for the primary contact.
We may call you regarding your submission if we cannot reach you by email or we have time-sensitive questions.
Additional Team Members
Provide names and contact information for your team members, if applicable. Team members listed here are
considered core project members. You should plan to provide a résumé for each individual and they will each be
required to demonstrate proof of New York State residency.
Project Title
Enter a descriptive title for your proposed project. The field will automatically limit text to 255 typed characters.
Project Description
Provide a short summary of your proposed topic and activities. This information will be used to identify your
submission; you will have the opportunity to describe your project in more detail in the following sections. The
field will automatically limit text to 500 typed characters (including spaces and returns).
Primary Project Discipline
Select the design discipline that best describes your proposed project from the dropdown list. Select “Fully
Interdisciplinary” only if your project is equally situated in two or more disciplines.
The choices (listed alphabetically) are:
• Architecture
• Biodesign
• Community-Centered Design
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• Fabrication and Materials Research
• Fashion
• Furniture and Object Design
• Graphic and Communication Design
• History and Preservation
• Industrial Design
• Interior Design
• Landscape Architecture
• Urban Design
• Fully Interdisciplinary (for proposals that fall equally in two or more disciplines above)
Interdisciplinary Project Areas
Note: This question has been introduced to allow greater specificity for interdisciplinary proposals. It will
appear only if you have selected “Fully Interdisciplinary” as your primary project discipline above.
Identify up to 3 disciplines in which your proposed project is primarily situated. Do not select more than 3
disciplines, and only select those that are of primary relevance to your project.
Select from the following choices (listed alphabetically): Architecture; Biodesign, Community-Centered
Design; Fabrication and Materials Research; Fashion; Furniture and Object Design; Graphic and
Communication Design; History and Preservation; Industrial Design; Interior Design; Landscape Architecture;
Urban Design
Project Cover Image
Upload a high-resolution cover image to represent your project. Your cover image will be used to publicize your
project if selected for funding, so you must have rights to use and share this image. Your file must adhere to the
following specifications:
• A single image file
• Supported file types: GIF, JPEG, JPG, PNG, TIF, TIFF, or WEBP
• Maximum 5 MB file size
• Recommended resolution: 300 pixels per inch
Project Cover Image Caption
Enter a short identifying caption for the cover image you uploaded above, including image credit. The field will
automatically limit text to 255 typed characters.
Proceed to the next section.
STEP 6: Project narrative
In this section, you will respond to the questions below in a single narrative of no more than 10,000 characters.
You may organize your response however you choose, and you may devote as much or as little space to each
question as you feel necessary. However, your response must adequately address each question to provide a
full sense of your proposal. We encourage responses that present a single coherent narrative, rather than
numbered or bulleted short answers.
a. Project Overview: Describe the project, emphasizing the role of design.
b. Project Context: Provide specific context to show how this project builds on existing work in your
design field, addresses a need, or tackles a topic or problem in the field in a new way. Discuss how the
project will advance and contribute to its field.
c. Project Lead or Team: Highlight the qualifications of the individual or team, demonstrating the
necessary experience and qualifications to carry out this project.
d. Project Activities: What work do you plan to do during the grant period (October 1, 2025–September
30, 2026)? If more than one person is involved, describe how the work will be delegated or coordinated.
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e. Project Budget: Please explain how you will spend the $10,000 award to execute this project. If your
project necessitates more funding, where will that come from?
f. Project Audience and Accessibility: Define the project’s intended audience and how this project will
be made accessible to that audience during the award period. If the project’s impact will also extend
beyond September 30, 2026, please describe.
Project Narrative
Enter your response in the field below. The field will automatically limit text to 10,000 typed characters (including
spaces and returns).
Proceed to the next section.
STEP 7: Supporting materials
In this section, you will upload supporting materials for your proposal. Each upload module will enforce certain
file types and maximum file sizes. Carefully note the restrictions and limits before preparing your materials for
upload.
Résumés of project team members
Upload résumés/CVs or biographical statements for each team member named in your application. If you are
proposing a publication with multiple contributors, you may also include brief contributor bios in this upload.
Attachment upload module
Upload your file using the attachment module. The module will allow you to either drag and drop a file to upload
or open a file explorer window to select the file on your computer. Your file must adhere to the following
specifications:
• A single PDF file
• Maximum 10 MB file size
• No more than one page devoted to each team member
• PDF optimization for faster loading and performance is strongly encouraged
Supplemental Visual, Textual, or Audio Upload
Upload visual/textual or audio materials to support your proposal. You must upload one file only, which may be
either a PDF of images and text, or a short video clip, or a short audio clip. You should carefully consider which
format best serves your proposed project, and select the one that corresponds with the kind of work you are
proposing.
Select your supplemental upload type
Select PDF, Video File, or Audio File from the dropdown list. A different upload module will appear based on
your choice, with file standards and limits that reflect the upload type.
PDF
Select this option to upload static images and text in a single PDF. Your file should not exceed 12 pages
of sample images with captions. For proposed publications, you may substitute up to 3 pages with
example text, and up to 1 page with a publication outline. Remaining pages may contain sample images
and captions, but the total length should not exceed 12 pages.
Your file must adhere to the following specifications:
• Supported file type: PDF
• Maximum 30 MB file size
• No more than 12 pages total, containing images with captions or, for publications, up to 3 pages
of sample text, an outline of up to 1 page, and remaining pages containing images and captions
• PDF optimization for faster loading and performance is strongly encouraged
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Attachment upload module (PDF)
This module allows you to either drag and drop a file to upload or open a file explorer window to select
the file on your computer.
Video File
Select this option to upload a single video file. Your video should not exceed 3 minutes in length; any
portion of a video uploaded beyond this limit will not be considered.
Your file must adhere to the following specifications:
• Supported file types: AVI, M4V, MOV, MP4, MPEG, MPEG4, MPG, or WMV
• Maximum 200 MB file size
• No more than 3 minutes total duration
• Compression and moderate viewing resolution is encouraged where possible
Attachment upload module (Video)
This module allows you to either drag and drop a file to upload or open a file explorer window to select
the file on your computer.
Audio File
Select this option to upload a single audio file. This option is intended for proposals where sound is the
primary medium; examples may include projects that specifically address vision-impaired audiences, or
sound-only installations (applicants proposing multimedia projects with both sound and spatial elements
should instead consider uploading a video clip). Your clip should not exceed 3 minutes in length; any
portion of audio uploaded beyond this limit will not be considered.
Your file must adhere to the following specifications:
• Supported file types: AAC, AIF, AIFF, M4A, MP3, or WAV
• Maximum 30 MB file size
• No more than 3 minutes total duration
Attachment upload module (Audio)
This module allows you to either drag and drop a file to upload or open a file explorer window to select
the file on your computer.
Proceed to the next section
STEP 8: Additional supporting materials for certain project types
Certain projects that require an outside commitment or permission to proceed, such as publications, exhibitions,
and installations, are much more likely to receive funding if there is demonstrated interest from a publisher, a site
owner, or another necessary authority. However, we recognize that this is not always feasible, and that outside
circumstances may not always align with the Independent Projects program timeline. The below questions
provide additional space for you to document an existing agreement, or to describe the current state of outside
arrangements for your project that may be in progress. This information will be used by the review panel to
assess the likelihood that your proposal can take place as described.
Does your proposed project include a publication, exhibition, or installation?
Select Yes or No. If you select Yes, new optional fields will display allowing you to provide further details:
Documentation of permission or commitment
This module allows you to upload documentation of outside arrangements for your project, such as a
commitment letter or email from a publisher or exhibition space. The module will only accept a single file
in PDF format, up to 2 MB.
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Status update for publications, exhibitions, and installations
If you cannot provide formal documentation of support from an outside authority, this question allows
you to describe the current level of outside interest or commitment to your proposed project. If you have
not yet approached or heard from any outside authority about your proposal, please indicate that here.
The field will automatically limit text to 500 typed characters (including spaces and returns).
STEP 9: Review and submit
Your proposal is ready to submit once all required fields have been completed, optional fields are filled where
relevant, supporting materials are uploaded, and you are satisfied with your responses.
At this stage, you can save your work and return to submit later, preview your entry, or submit your entry.
Save + close
Your work is saved but your proposal is not yet submitted for consideration.
Preview
Your responses are previewed on a single web page so that you can review them and return to places where
you wish to make changes.
Submit entry
Your proposal is submitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit the 2025 Independent Projects Frequently Asked Questions page on archleague.org regularly for the most
up-to-date information and answers to common questions.
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