Funding Committee

Chair 2020-2021: J. Nick Fisk (jeffrey.fisk@yale.edu)

About GPSS Funding

The Graduate and Professional Student Senate is a major source of funding for graduate and professional student organizations. The amount of direct monetary support is dependent on the current Senate budget. In general, Senate supports events, activities, and student groups that are inclusive of all graduate and professional students.

Your group should apply for funding! Please find the Funding Guidelines, Funding Application, and Reimbursement Procedures attached below. Make sure to read and understand the Guidelines before applying for funding. Failure to obey the guidelines can result in a loss of funding awarded by Senate.

Please review the content of this site or the 2020-2021 Funding guidelines before applying for funding!

  • Who do we fund?

    Events/organizations that bring together students from a variety of graduate and professional schools

    Events/organizations that affect graduate and professional relations with administration and the media

    Events/organizations that build relationships with the local and/or global community outside of Yale

  • How much do we fund?

    Generally, we aim to fund $3.50 per Yale graduate/professional student event attendee.

    The cap that the Senate Funding Committee can award is $1250

    Funding requests made in excess of $1250 must be evaluated by the Committee and, subsequently, the whole Senate

  • What else is the committee looking for in an application?

    Strong advertising: This will help ensure the success of the event and make sure our limited funds are well spent.

    Shop around: Your application is much more convincing if you can show the Funding Committee that you have looked for the best price on food/flyers/location. You can often work out deals with caterers and venues. Detailed budgets are also extremely helpful.

    Get funding from other sources: It is critical that you apply for funding from other sources.

  • Where else can I request funding? (Suggestions)

    • The McDougal Center (for groups and events including graduate students)
    • The Yale College Council (for groups and events including undergraduate students)
    • The Office of International Students and Scholars (for multicultural groups and events)
    • Academic/administrative departments, offices, and programs applicable to your group or event
    • Alumni of your group
    • Businesses that have an interest in your group or event, or would like to advertise at your event
    • Outside organizations, universities, clubs, etc. who have an interest in your group or event, or whose members are invited to participate in your group or event

    Applications that have solicited funding from other sources are more likely to be funded by the Committee

  • How do I apply?

    Submit your application form here (please do not email forms)
    The Committee hears requests following the first meeting annually thru May

  • How do I receive my funding?

    The 2020-2021 GPSS treasurer (alex.thew@yale.edu) will be notified of all approved funding and all stipulations to these amounts (e.g. $100 for food, $50 for flyers, etc.) 
    Please submit your reimbursement request accordingly here within 30-days. Late requests will not be accepted and checks must be cashed within 60-days of issue.

  • What if I disagree with the committee's findings?

    The committee operates on an appeal system, where they will make funding decisions which may be appealed by the requester of funds. Simply contact the committee chair. You may appeal first to the the funding committee and, if still you are dissatisfied, the ruling can be brought before the full Senate for adjudication. Note that because of the timeline involved in such appeals, it is crucial all funding requests be made far in advance of the event.

  • Who do I contact with questions or concerns?

    Before contacting the committee, please read the complete 2020-2021 Funding Guidelines and refer to the Senate's Bylaws.
    Then, email the committee chair or the committee's email (yalegpssfunding@gmail.com)