While the award can be used to pay for a wide range of resources as before (including but not limited to classes, books, academic journal databases, workshops, seminars, and consultations), the relationship between these expenses, associated work, and the future project must be made clear. As a two-year grant, this importantly entails a shift in VAE’s relationship to Snapdragon Fund grantees in this category, as we seek to provide greater support and guidance as part of this process. Likewise, we seek to cultivate greater community and collaboration among each cohort (via gatherings, meetings, etc.). The Research + Development Grant is intended to more clearly delineate this opportunity from professional development and instead assure a clarity of purpose and intent, as well as a sharper sense of material outcome at the root.

The Fund recognizes that one year of research may not yield the same results as Project grantees who are often backed by additional years of research and experience. With that in mind, we do not expect R+D grantees to present projects at the same scale as full Project grantees. We expect these R+D projects to be more rough around the edges and reflect a more DIY approach, but still demonstrate a strong, obvious impact on the communities they center/serve.