Open nowCloses Aug 31, 2026Award: Up to $5K
IDEAL Internship Grants
internshipsinclusiondiversity+4 more
Who can apply: Institutions seeking to host or support IDEAL internships may be eligible.
Deadline: Apply by August 31.
About Decorative Arts Trust
The Decorative Arts Trust funds scholarship, professional training, and public-facing projects that advance study and appreciation of decorative arts and material culture. Its grants prioritize object-based research and publication (especially for graduate students and first-time authors), museum workforce development through curatorial and IDEAL internships, and a single large annual prize for innovative museum projects and conservation. Funding supports both individuals (travel/research/publishing grants, scholarships) and institutions (internships, exhibition/publication support), with an emphasis on U.S. collections while accepting international applicants for many lines.
Focus Areas
Graduate thesis and dissertation travel grants for decorative arts/material cultureCuratorial workforce development through two-year funded internshipsBook-length publishing support for first-time authors and institutional exhibition/catalogue publicationsMuseum innovation and conservation projects (large annual Prize for Excellence and Innovation)Diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and leadership (IDEAL) internships at museums and historic sites
Giving Approach
Mostly small-to-medium competitive grants with annual deadlines (many under $2,000 for student travel; $5,000–$50,000 for publishing; up to $45,000/year for two-year curatorial interns), plus one large annual $100,000 prize. Programs are cycle-based with stated deadlines (March–September windows) and appear to be open application rather than by invitation.
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