MAKE Thesis Grant Program for Senior Animation Students

Deadline: 06-Nov-2026

The MAKE Thesis Grant is an annual funding opportunity for senior animation students at accredited institutions worldwide to support the production of original animated thesis films. Three awards are available: $3,000 for first place, $2,000 for second place, and $1,000 for third place, with funding available for production expenses such as software, equipment, talent, post-production, music licensing, and festival submissions. What Is the MAKE Thesis Grant? The MAKE Thesis Grant is an annual grant programme designed to support emerging animators as they complete their final academic animation projects. The programme directly funds original animated thesis projects created by senior students enrolled at accredited educational institutions around the world. The funding is intended to help students turn their creative concepts into completed short animated films by covering practical production expenses. What Does the Grant Support? Grant funds can be used for expenses directly connected to the development and production of an animated thesis project. The grant is therefore intended to have a direct impact on the quality, completion, and professional presentation of the student’s animated project. How Much Funding Is Available? The MAKE Thesis Grant provides three awards:

First Place: $3,000

Second Place: $2,000

Third Place: $1,000

The funds can be used to strengthen the thesis project and help students cover expenses that may otherwise limit their ability to complete or professionally present their films. Who Is Eligible? The programme is designed specifically for senior animation students.

Applicants must:

Be in the final year of a BFA/BA or MFA/MA programme. Be studying animation or a related field. Attend an accredited institution. Be working on an original animated thesis project. The opportunity is open to eligible students worldwide. Can Student Teams Apply? Yes. Teams of students are welcome to apply. However, each team must designate one lead applicant who will serve as the primary applicant for the project. The application should clearly identify the project and explain the role of the student team in developing and producing the animated thesis. What Type of Project Is Supported? The grant supports original animated thesis projects, particularly short animated films being developed as part of a student’s final academic work. Applicants should present a clear creative concept and demonstrate how financial support will help elevate the project. A strong application should communicate both the artistic vision and the practical production requirements of the film. Required Application Materials Applicants must provide several materials demonstrating the project’s creative quality, the student’s abilities, and the intended use of the funding.

Required materials include:

Detailed story concept and treatment Personal portfolio Statement of purpose Funding proposal Story Concept and Treatment The story concept and treatment should explain the proposed animated film in enough detail for reviewers to understand its narrative, characters, themes, visual direction, and overall creative vision. Personal Portfolio The portfolio should demonstrate the applicant’s animation and artistic abilities. Students should select work that best represents their technical skills, creativity, visual storytelling, and development as an emerging animator. Statement of Purpose The statement should explain the student’s motivation for creating the project and why the thesis film is important to their artistic or professional development. Funding Proposal The funding proposal should clearly explain how the grant would be used to elevate the thesis project. Applicants should identify specific production expenses and explain how the funding will improve the film’s development, production, post-production, or distribution. How to Apply Students can prepare their application by following a structured process.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Make sure you are:

In your final year of an eligible undergraduate or postgraduate animation programme. Studying at an accredited institution. Developing an original animated thesis project.

Step 2: Develop Your Thesis Project

Prepare a clear story concept and treatment that communicates the project’s creative and narrative direction. If applying as a team, determine the lead applicant and clarify each team member’s contribution.

Step 3: Prepare Your Portfolio

Select your strongest creative and animation work. The portfolio should demonstrate the skills relevant to successfully completing the proposed thesis project.

Step 4: Create a Funding Plan

List the costs that the grant would help cover. For example, funding could contribute toward: Animation software. Equipment. Voice acting. Music licensing. Post-production. Festival submission fees. Other production expenses.

Step 5: Complete the Application

Submit the required story concept and treatment, portfolio, statement of purpose, and funding proposal according to the programme’s application requirements. Why the MAKE Thesis Grant Matters Producing an animated thesis film can require significant financial resources, particularly for students who need specialized software, equipment, professional talent, music, post-production services, or festival submissions. The MAKE Thesis Grant helps reduce these financial barriers while giving emerging animators an opportunity to strengthen their final academic projects.

The programme can help students:

Complete ambitious thesis films. Improve production quality. Gain experience managing an animation project. Develop professional portfolios. Prepare work for festivals and wider audiences. Build experience that can support future animation careers. Common Mistakes to Avoid Applicants should avoid submitting an application that focuses only on the creative idea without explaining the practical production plan.

Common mistakes include:

Providing an unclear story concept: