Dean of Arts Development Fund

Classroom experience is a crucial part of an undergraduate degree, but increasingly practical learning is vital to ensuring our graduates get a head start.

Supporting their ability to gain hands-on knowledge can make all the difference in their university careers as internship and research experiences are needed in our current job market. Through the Dean of Arts Development Fund (DADF) we help to create these opportunities. The DADF is the backbone of student programming and provides innovative pathways for students to gain experience before graduation.

The DADF provides essential funding for programs, such as internship awards, research internships, student advising, as well as numerous events, research projects, and publications proposed by students and faculty members.

By supporting the DADF, you provide opportunities to transform the university experience by taking learning beyond the lecture hall.

Apply for a DADF award

Students

  • Must be a full-time student in the Faculty of Arts
  • The DADF does not fund individual student activities, honorariums, and/or student salaries.
  • Only University recognized groups are eligible
  • Priority will be given to projects taking place in the Faculty of Arts
  • Any project that involves another McGill Faculty must show evidence that support is being received from that Faculty (this information must be included in the budget section of the application)
  • The Department Chair in your department must approve the application. Applications missing this approval will not be considered.
  • Applications submitted past the deadline will not be considered
  • Awards range from $100-$2,000

Student application form

 

Faculty members

  • Must be a full-time faculty member in the Faculty of Arts
  • The DADF does not fund not fund individual faculty member activities, honorariums, and salaries
  • Applications are only accepted for academic conferences, workshops, and visiting speakers.
  • Only University recognized groups are eligible
  • In the case that the applicant is also the Department Chair, it is mandatory to get Dean Lisa Shapiro to approve the application
  • Funding is to be confirmed from other sources (as applications without matching funding from other sources may be unsuccessful)
  • Applications submitted past the deadline will not be considered
  • Awards range from $100 - $2000

Faculty member application form

Deadlines

Applications will be reviewed 2 times this academic year and must be received by 5 pm on the date due.

  • October 2023: Applications are due by 5 pm on Friday, October 20, 2023
  • March 2024: Applications are due by 5 pm on Friday, February 23, 2024

Awards are made possible through the generous support of our Alumni and friends of the Faculty of Arts.

Competition results

A DADF administrator will inform the applicant of any decision and release the funds where applicable. Successful applicants are required to advertise the support of the Dean of Arts Development Fund. This includes the printing the DADF logo on posters and other promotional material. Recipients of funding are also required to provide a final report on the outcome of their projects/events to the Faculty of Arts Development Office within 30 days of the project's completion. Applicants who do not submit a final report may be ineligible for future funding.

Support the program

Guaranteering funding for DADF each year is often challenging, thus the support of our friends and alumni is critical. If you would like to support the hands-on learning opportunities offered by the DADF, please consider doing so in any of the following ways:

  • Cheques can be addressed to the Faculty of Arts, McGill University, Peterson Hall, Room 218, 3460 McTavish Street, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0E6
  • By telephone, please contact Alysha Anderson at 514-398-6363, dadf.arts [at] mcgill.ca ( ).
  • Online, please follow this link or select our Give Now tab at the top of the page.

Please indicate your intention to support the DADF by selecting it from the drop-down menu or using the code 02102 on your cheque.

FAQ

Where do the DADF funds come from?

This award is made possible through the generous support of our Alumni and friends of the Faculty of Arts. Awards are based on eligibility and available funds.

What do include in my application?

Please see the Student and Faculty member application forms here.

How long does it take to find out the result?

We strive to notify applicants within 10 working days after the DADF committee meets. A DADF administrator will inform the applicant the decision via email. Should you have questions about your current application status please contact the DADF administrator via email dadf.arts [at] mcgill.ca and ensure you include in subject line of email:

  • The name of your project
  • Funding cycle (ie. November 2021)

What happens if my method of payment changes once I have already submitted my application?

Once the application is submitted, it is not possible to change the payment method. We ask that you contact the DADF administrator via email at dadf.arts [at] mcgill.ca should you need to withdraw your application. We suggest you apply to the next round of funding with the appropriate method of payment.

Do I need the approval of my Department Chair?

For student applications, it is mandatory for the Chair of your department to sign off on the application. Please visit your department’s website to determine the current Chair. To receive approval, send your Chair an email, outlining your project and ask that their response includes the word “approved.” You will then be required to attach this email as a PDF document as proof of approval to your application in the appropriate section. For faculty applications, in the case that the applicant is also the Department Chair, it is mandatory to get Dean Lisa Shapiro to approve and sign the application.

If the date of the event or project changes, can I still use the funds I have been approved for?

This is decided on a case by case basis, however we encourage applicants to apply to the next round. Please notify the DADF administrator via email at dadf.arts [at] mcgill.ca and a decision will be made.

Do I need to submit a final report?

Yes. In order to be considered for future funding, we require applicants to submit a final report within 30 days of their completed project/activity date.

What needs to be included in my final report?

A detailed report (minimum one page) can discuss such things as:

  • The outcome of the project
  • How many people benefitted
  • How the awarded funds were spent
  • Other information you would like to share about the event
  • Copy of a program or marketing materials (3 copies)

How do I submit my final report?

Please email your final report to dadf.arts [at] mcgill.ca. In the subject field of the email please include the application name, funding cycle (ie. November 2021) and application number. 

Who do I contact if I have questions about submitting an application?

Please contact the DADF administrator via email dadf.arts [at] mcgill.ca. Please include in the subject the name of your project and the application number (if you have already applied).

Once my application is approved, what are my next steps?

You are required to acknowledge the funding support, where possible, on all print and on-line material. The DADF administrator will provide the DADF logo in the approval email. Any inquiries regarding approved funds should go through the Arts Finance office located in Dawson Hall, 3rd Floor, 853 Sherbrooke St. West.

How will I receive the funds that have been approved?

The Arts finance office will release the funds according to the information you provided in your application (ie. FOAPAL or Cheque). Any Inquiries regarding approved funds should go through the Arts finance office located in Dawson Hall, 3rd Floor, 853 Sherbrooke St. West.

Are there specific items that the DADF does not fund?

Yes. The DADF does not fund individual faculty or student activities, honorariums, and/or student salaries. Applications are only accepted for academic conferences, workshops, and visiting speakers, publications. 

Back to top