Leap Awards at 91µ¼º½
The Leap Awards empower 91µ¼º½ students to take bold steps in entrepreneurship through cash awards of up to $500 to support the development of entrepreneurial projects.
All currently enrolled 91µ¼º½ students, regardless of major or minor, are eligible to apply.
Fuel Your Creative Ideas
The program offers student support in two stages:
Stage 1: Leap Award
Funding Creative Potential
Receive seed funding to support a wide range of activities, including (but not limited to):
- Professional development (e.g., conferences, networking events)
- Starting a business (e.g., marketing materials, legal assistance, registration fees)
- Developing, prototyping, or testing a product or service (e.g., materials, software, equipment)
- Professionalizing your independent art practice (e.g., website development, association memberships, exhibitions)
- Other activities directly related to launching your entrepreneurial idea
Awards will be made based on:
- Feasibility of proposed activities
- Impact of proposed activities
- Alignment of award fund activities with student’s entrepreneurial goals
Stage 2: Leap Pitch
Fueling Momentum
Available exclusively to students who previously received a Leap Award.
Students who demonstrate progress and a clear use of their initial award can apply for follow-on funding through a pitch presentation.
More details about Leap Pitch will be announced soon.
Follow-on funding is awarded based on:
- Evidence of momentum and progress
- A clear and compelling vision for next steps
- Strong creative execution and clarity of purpose
How to Apply
- Deadline: Apply by the 15th of each month
- Review: Applications are reviewed by a committee led by the Program Head for Entrepreneurial Studies
- Notifications: Award decisions will be emailed by the 1st of the following month
- Disbursement: Recipients must submit required paperwork to the Business Office; funds will be processed and disbursed shortly after
Note: Funds are limited. Once the annual budget is exhausted, applications will close until the next academic year.
Questions? Contact Andy Heise | aheise@kcai.edu
Application Questions
- Project summary - Please provide a description of the entrepreneurial project for which you are seeking funding. (max 500 characters
- Request amount – Request amount can range from $100-$500
- Use of funds – What will the funds be used for? (List items and estimated costs) (max 300 characters)
- Progress to date – What have you already done (if anything) in relation to moving this endeavor forward? (max 300 characters)
- Impact – How will this funding help you move your entrepreneurial endeavor forward? (max 300 characters)
- Timeline and milestones – If you receive the funding, what is your timeline for using the funds in support of your endeavor? (max 300 characters)
- Optional attachments – Please provide any sketches, images, concept visuals, process photos, samples, etc. that you think will be helpful for the review committee to have (up to 5 files; 10mb max for each file)
