Leap Awards at KCAI
The Leap Awards empower KCAI students to take bold steps in entrepreneurship through cash awards of up to $500 to support the development of entrepreneurial projects.
All currently enrolled KCAI 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)
