2026 Student Experiential Learning Project Grant & Film & Digital Media Funds Application

2026 Student Experiential Learning Project Grant & Film & Digital Media Funds Application

NOTE: Proposals cannot be saved and completed later. Scroll down to the see the information you need to submit BEFORE you begin.
The Department of Design offers eligible students department funding awards- Experiential Learning & Film & Digital Media Funds (FDMF) each year through a competitive grant process.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING GRANT:

Experiential learning is accomplished by learning through experience. The funds may be used for extracurricular experiences such as workshops, conference attendance, BFA capstone projects, field studies and/or non-course individual project expenses, ie. supplies and/or travel. These experiences should take place outside of the regular classroom, but may be connected to a class.

Experiential learning experiences should meet the university's four foundational principles to distinguish experiential learning from ordinary or chance experiences.

1. Inspiration: Inspired Learning is "learning that leads to inspiration or revelation" Worthen 2016). Learners are invited to actively engage in inspiration of the Holy Spirit in the realm of inquiry in which they may be involved (See Moroni 10:5). The experience will foster:
- Opportunities which lead to inspiration or revelation.
2. Intention: Learning outcomes are outlined. The learning outcomes may describe knowledge, skills, or abilities the learners should have after successfully completing the experience. The experience will include:
- High performance expectations as reflected in learning outcomes.
3. Integration: High impact practices are utilized and avenues to apply learning are identified. Application of emerging inspiration, knowledge, skills, or dispositions are fostered, with evidence of one or more of the following:
- include mentoring with frequent, timely, and constructive feedback.
- Provide real-world opportunities to apply learning.
- Provide opportunities for public demonstration of competence.
- Require a significant amount of concentrated effort over time.
- Provide opportunity to interact with others on substantive matters.
- Provide opportunity to engage with people and circumstances that differ from what is familiar to me.
4. Reflection: Learners engage in purposeful reflection. Learners consider what they have learned (what), ascertain meaning (so what), and how their learning can be used in future career or life plans (now what). The experience will include:
- Periodic, structured opportunities to reflect and integrate learning.
Experiential Learning Awards CAN be used for:
- Up to 20% can be used to purchase supplies
- Conference Fees & Registrations
- Master Classes, workshops
- Equipment Rentals
- Subcontractor/freelancer fees
- location-based fees (venues, facilities, site rentals)
- Printing and/or publication fees
- Travel expenses
Experiential Learning Awards CANNOT be used for:
- Equipment purchases (such as cameras, computers, ipads, software)
- Food (exception might be craft services on a film location)
- internships*
- tuition
- personal expenses
*Internship scholarships are available through a separate application process at the following link: 2026 Internship Scholarship Application

Film and Digital Media Fund Awards:

FDMF is a means by which students receive financial support to explore the application of cinematic (moving image) language, forms, structures and techniques to their respective disciplines.

Film and Digital Media Fund Awards CAN be used for:
- development & production phases of a project
- projects that enhance existing or emerging cinematic language, forms, theory, techniques and tools
- interdisciplinary and/or intra-departmental collaboration at all stages of the project
- can be used in conjunction with other funding
- can be used for expendables/supplies, travel, wages (where appropriate and within reason) and other equitably determined expenses
FDMF Awards CANNOT be used for:
- to pay students
- to purchase equipment or software
Awards for both funding resources will be granted based on the merit, feasibility, and benefit of the proposal. Experiential Learning grants has a $1500 cap per student. Group proposals require a separate application for each student. Preference is given to off-campus experiences and extra-curricular projects that are not connected to classes. Financial need will also be considered.

Students who receive an Experiential Award Scholarship will be responsible to submit a response to BYU regarding this experience. An EL survey will be emailed to the recipient by the university towards the end of the semester the monies were received.

Students who receive a FDMF award will be responsible for submitting a detailed written report on the experience, including a description of the project, and photos. Only 20% of the award may be applied to supplies. Award money will need to be spent within the calendar year it was awarded.

Please be aware that you must be a Design (BA or BFA) major to qualify for funds.

Note this application is not available to seniors graduating April 2026.
Deadline

Experiential Learning Project Grant applications must be submitted online by 11:59 pm on March 16th. Once your application is submitted, changes cannot be made. A confirmation email will be sent with a PDF copy of your completed application.
Application Information

You will need the following information in order to complete this application.
- A one-page vitae
- Detailed budget information
- A brief statement of support from a Full-Time Faculty member of the Department of Design describing their knowledge of the proposed venue and project experience and addressing the practicality of the project relating to the applicant.
Note: It is the student's responsibility to set up the meeting with his/her advisor before the application deadline.

Please be aware that failing to meet with your full-time faculty mentor will disqualify your application.
Basic Information
Name*

First NameLast Name
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
BYU ID# (9-digit #):*
Planned Graduation Date*
Current Academic Standing*

GoodWarningProbation
What is your major:*
Type of Funding you are applying for*
May apply for both types of funding if project meets funding requirements.

Experience Types

BYU recognizes the following broad categories of experiential learning opportunities that incorporate inspiration, intention, integration, and reflection. Please note bullet lists are not exhaustive.
Culminating Learning Experience: An academic, co-curricular learning opportunity where students demonstrate and/or increase mastery of knowledge, skills, and dispositions.
- Professionalizing experience (fieldtrips)
- Capstone/Project-based learning
- Conference/Symposium/Workshop
- Competition (competing)
- Creative Activity
- Portfolio
Field Study/Field Work: A faculty-led academic study or work situation in a real-world setting.

Research: Faculty directed study of a subject which seeks to discover new information or reach new understanding, or application of a discpline to develop new practices, processes, policies, resources, or tools.
- Conference (presenting)
- Mentored practice or product
- Mentored research
- Publishing
Experiential Learning Experience Proposal
Experience Title:*
Select the experience type that reflects the experiential learning opportunity (see above for definitions).*

Culminating Learning ExperienceField Study/Field WorkResearch
Date of the Experience/Project:

Please note that the project should be completed in the calendar year of receiving funds.
Start Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Anticipated Finish Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Location of the Experience/Project*
List faculty mentor(s):*
Experience Description Proposal(what you will be doing). (350 words max)*

0/350
How will this opportunity lead to inspiration or revelation for you? (250 words max)*

0/250
List the outcomes for this experience.*
Outcomes may describe the knowledge, skills, or abilities the learners should have after successfully completing the experience.
Identify which high impact practices will be utilized (may select more than one if applies):*

Mentoring with frequent, timely, and constructive feedback.Provide real-world opportunities to apply learning.Provide opportunities for public demonstration of competence.Require a significant amount of concentrated effort over time.Provide opportunity to interact with others on substantive matters.Provide opportunity to engage with people and circumstances that differ from what is familiar to me.

Film and Digital Media Fund Proposal

This proposal should address how you plan to explore the application of cinematic (moving image) language, forms, structures and techniques to your respective disciplines.
Project Title*
Date of the Experience/Project:

Please note that the project should be completed in the calendar year of receiving funds.
Start Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Anticipated Finish Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
List faculty mentor(s):*
Location of the Project*
List of participants (students & non-students):*
Please indicate if participant is a BYU student or non-BYU student.
Experience Description Proposal (what will you be doing?). (350 words max)*

0/350
How will this opportunity lead to academic, creative or professional outcomes? (250 words max)*

0/250
What is your proposed schedule/timetable to complete the project?*
Only provide key dates.

Budget Proposal

List the amount of funding requested for the fields below. DO NOT include academic tuition when budgeting amounts. Note that only 20% of funding can be applied to supplies.
Transportation Total:*
Housing Total:*
Food Total:*
Supplies Total:*
Other:*
Please specify "other":
Include amount connected to each item in this category.
Proposed Estimated Budget:*
Amount will auto populate
Please list all sources and amounts of financial assistance already received for this project. If none, enter 0.
Personal Amount*
Other*
Please specify "other funds":*
List source & amount
Total Amount of Assistance Received
Amount will auto populate
Required Documents
Please attach the vitae of each key member of the project.*

If this is a solo project, you just need your own resume
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ONE BRIEF STATEMENT OF SUPPORT

from a full-time Department of Design Faculty member
- Describing their knowledge of the proposed venue and project experience.
- Addressing the practicality of the project relating to the applicant
Faculty Member Name*
First & Last Name
Faculty Member E-mail Address*
First & Last Name
Faculty Advisor Brief Statement of Support

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By submitting this application to the Department of Design, I grant the Department of Design limited permission to reproduce or distribute any artwork I have submitted for educational or promotional purposes. The work may appear in any media format and may or may not be credited. Student work will only be used for department purposes and will not be sold for license to a third party. You will retain all copyrights to your work.*

I agree to these terms and conditions
I agree to submit a response to BYU for this experiential learning opportunity or submit a department report for FDMF funds, please type your name (first and last) below:*
Should be Empty:

2026 Student Experiential Learning Project Grant & Film & Digital Media Funds Application

Deadline

Application Information

Basic Information

Experience Types

Experiential Learning Experience Proposal

Film and Digital Media Fund Proposal

Budget Proposal

Required Documents