CSA College and University

Institutions applying for a grant must meet the following requirements:

• Have a degree program in apparel, textiles, or theatre;
• Have a collection consisting of dress, textiles, and related objects (published materials, textile production tools/equipment, etc.) that is intended for preservation;
• Legally own the collection (a private collection housed in a college/university is not eligible);
• Provide institutional support for the collection in the sense that institutional employee(s) is/are responsible for the care and maintenance of the collection;
• Provide institutional endorsement of the collection by some expression of commitment for the care and management of the collection (such as exhibition space, insurance, storage, or staff time);
• To accept a grant, an institution must be or become a Library (formerly Institutional) or Museum and Association Member of the Costume Society of America or have an active staff member who is an Individual CSA Member;
• An institution is not eligible to receive a grant more than once in three years.

A CSA College and University Collection Care Grant is intended to make a dramatic beneficial impact on the receiving institution’s costume collection. There is no set limit on institutional budget size, since the field of candidates may vary from year to year; however, budget size and access to other financial resources will be taken into account when selecting grant recipients, with strong preference given to projects supporting collections that receive little or no financial support from their college or university.

A complete application should be uploaded as one (1) pdf document under 100MB using this online submission form (available summer of 2025) and include the following in listed order: 

1. A document including your contact information.

2. Project Proposal (1000 words) including:

     a. Brief description of the proposed project. Include specific information about the scope/number of costume objects to which it pertains;

     b. Brief description of the institution and the program(s) that the collection supports;

     c. Describe the size, scope, and use of the costume collection. Briefly detail:

         i. Any objects of significance to the institution or to the study or dress/textiles;

         ii. How it is used to support the relevant department(s) and curriculum;

         iii. Whether the collection is used for research, teaching, and/or exhibition;

         iv. The impact of the proposed project.

     d. Budget and Narrative: Including a summary of the department’s budget that supports the collection and explain why the institution needs this grant to meet the collection’s pressing needs. Include an estimate of supplies, personnel, and materials needed. NOTE: For a list of archival supplies and supplies, please consult the Archival Supplies list 

     e. Timeline and feasibility of accomplishing the project;

     f. Roster of personnel involved with the collection and project. Provide the name, qualifications, and experience. Staff members should have basic knowledge of current standards of caring for fiber-based objects;

     g. If the project involves a consultant or specialist, name the person and describe the individual’s qualifications.  Include a letter of intent from that person agreeing to work for the compensation outlined in the budget and within the time frame of the project. To find a qualified conservator, please visit the American Institute of Conservation website at https://www.culturalheritage.org/about-conservation/find-a-conservator

3. A statement of support form completed by the administrator of the department that oversees the collection. 

4. 3 to 5 images of your proposed project’s goals. Images must be included in the one (1) pdf under 100 MB.

Each criterion is rated on a scale from 1 - 10 (from lowest to highest).

1. The impact of the project on the collection’s well-being
2. The impact of the project on the collection’s mission
3. The feasibility of the project in terms of budget, time line, and personnel to carry out the project
4. The significance of the applicant’s collection to the academic unit
5. The level of commitment demonstrated by the applicant’s institution towards the collection
6. The financial need of the collection

The application deadline is October 15, 2025.  Grant recipients will be notified by January 15, 2026 and announced at the CSA National Symposium. Grant funds will be available by the date of the Annual Meeting.  Funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2027.

Recipient must publicly acknowledge CSA in all lectures, publications, publicity pertaining to the award.

Upon completion of their project, each institution must submit a brief report of activities (1 page), with before and after images, to the grant committee chair. Completed projects will be publicized in CSA's e-News and media in the institution’s area.