The McDougal Center and GSAS allocate funding across graduate-focused groups, prioritizing those that serve mainly GSAS graduate students and where GSAS students are a majority or a plurality of the organization's members.

  • How much does the McDougal Center typically award?

    McDougal Center funding is by reimbursement ONLY. Please keep a copy of all itemized receipts for reimbursement of expenses after your event.

    Awards are up to $200-$350 per organization in total per academic term. This can either be for one single event or a combination of smaller events per organization, with one funding request & reimbursement per event. Some larger student organizations can request $400-500 per term for very large-scale events, those involving hundreds of Yale grad students, but such large grants are very unusual.

    If a graduate organization does not request or receive funds in the fall term, the maximum amount requested can NOT be doubled or banked for requests in the spring term, as our budgets and activities are on a term by term basis (fall & spring terms, late August to May).

    Summer funding is very unusual and not expected. Email mcdougal.center@yale.edu with questions.

    In special cases, the McDougal Center can arrange to pay for internal Yale costs (room rental, media, custodial or security services) in advance by internal charge (COA to a Yale dept).

  • What the McDougal Center CAN fund for registered organizations (read this BEFORE you request funding):

    • Supplies and materials for grad organization events on campus
    • Group T-shirts, fleeces or jerseys and minor sports equipment (balls, portable field markers, etc.)
    • Room rental, security, custodial or media Services fees at Yale (these might be payable in advance thru Yale COA or internal charge)
    • Snacks, soft drinks and light foods, usually up to $4-6 per person attending the event
    • Posters, printed materials, logo items and publicity, but use these in limited fashion, for sustainability & cost reasons
    • Modest payments for bands, musicians or DJs for events held on campus or in New Haven

  • The McDougal Center can NOT fund the following:

    • Alcoholic beverages or bartenders
    • Travel costs by Yale graduate students who are group members to attend conferences, competitions, career search activities, or meetingsTravel, lodging or honoraria for speakers or performers
    • Travel, lodging or honoraria for speakers or performers
      • Exceptions can be made for modest honoraria for DJs or musicians for dances and events held on campus or in New HavenFees paid to graduate student members of the group for services rendered (e.g., webmaster, treasurer, MC, editor, etc.)
    • Fees paid to graduate student members of the group for services rendered (e.g., webmaster, treasurer, MC, editor, etc.)
    • Rental of cars or other transportation for out-of-area travel or reimbursement for the use of personal vehicles (also not recommended due to liability)
    • Durable equipment (computers, camera, media) or ongoing supplies
    • Prizes, gift cards, and awards for individuals.
      • Try to avoid these as there may be tax implications for recipients.
    • Funds for direct donation to a local or national charity or non-profitGraduate student conferences at Yale or regular academic or research-related graduate student colloquia
    • Graduate student conferences at Yale or regular academic or research-related graduate student colloquia

  • Other funding resources for student organizations