Funding Sources From the University

Yale recognizes that organizations under the leadership of undergraduates can and do enhance a student’s education by providing additional opportunities beyond the curriculum for personal development and growth. Furthermore, the University and the community benefit from the variety of services and activities provided by undergraduate organizations.

Below are some (but not all!) of the College funding sources available to registered student organizations throughout the academic year.

The Undergraduate Organizations Funding Committee (UOFC)

The UOFC falls under the Yale College Council (YCC) and distributes funds to registered undergraduate organizations several times per academic year. This year, there were two rounds in the Fall and, due to limited funding, only one round will be held in the Spring. Below are the Spring dates when applications can be submitted:

Round 3 applications will be accepted: January 16 - February 2  

**To be eligible for round 3 funding, organizations must submit receipts and return unused funds by Tuesday, January 30.

Please be sure to read the committee’s application guide prior to applying. 

The Dean’s Discretionary Fund

The Dean’s Discretionary Fund application for the 23-24 academic year will reopen January 16, 2024.   Below are the Spring deadlines, afterwhich applications will be reviewed:

Round 1 - Sunday, February 18

Round 2 - Sunday, March 31

Registered undergraduate organizations may request funding from the Dean’s Discretionary Fund (DDF). Funding is limited and not typically granted for routine, yearly activities. Applications are evaluated based on engagement, event purpose, community access, audience reach, and budget clarity. Review the full guidelines and apply by clicking the link above. 

  • Please note that groups are eligible for DDF funding once every five years.
  • The maximum cap for funding requests is $5,000 per group.
  • Funds are reimbursed after event completion.
  • Applications must include a budget showing all expected income and expenses.
  • If funding is granted, the organization is required to complete the DDF receipt submission form at the conclusion of the event.

Traphagen Alumni Speakers Series

The Traphagen Alumni Speakers Series supports events at Yale that bring distinguished alumni to campus and offers direct access for current undergraduates to those alumni. Student officers of registered undergraduate organizations are invited to apply to support events they are planning.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Email yalecollegedevelopmentoffice@yale.edu to apply.

Funding is awarded by a committee that reviews applications based on the following criteria:

  • Involvement in the event of one or more Yale alumni
  • Clear indication of event’s purpose (i.e., content/focus of alumnus/-a’s speech or other featured activity)
  • Level of Yale community access to the event
  • Projected audience the event will reach
  • Presentation of a clear and reasonable budget

Student Wellness Grants

Yale Well and the Office of the Secretary and Vice President for University Life invite all students and student groups to apply for funding to support pilot programs or events that further Yale Well’s mission to foster an environment where wellness is valued and intentionally embraced by students. This project should seek to address one of the eight areas of wellness - move well, eat well, mind well, rest well, love well, seek well, work well, and save well. Students may request funding up to $1,000. Applications will be reviewed by members of the Yale Well committee, which includes students.
 
Grant applications are due on October 9 by 5:00 p.m. Notice of awards will be announced the week of October 23. Apply today!
 

Other Sources of Funding