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 will be four rounds: two in the Fall and two in the Spring. Below are the fall dates when applications can be submitted:

Round 1: Aug 22 - Sept 5

  • ​Applies to expenses from Aug 20 - Oct 17 
  • Decisons will be released Sept 11

Round 2: Sept 26 - Oct 9

  • ​Applies to expenses from Oct 18 - Jan 23, 20206 
  • Decisons will be released Oct 16
To be eligible for each round of funding, receipts and/or unused funds from the last round must be returned to Treasury Services or submitted via email to uofc.receipts@yale.edu. 
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 25-26 academic year opened September 9, after re-registration concluded. Throughout the year, applications will be reviewed four times. Below are the listed closing dates. 

  • Sunday, October 12
  • Sunday, November 16

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 the 1st Wednesday of each month. 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.
 
Other Sources of Funding