Time Out Grant ← Grants & Fellowships ← Alum Resources ← Vassar Alums ← Vassar College

A person with dark hair wearing a tank top, smiling at the viewer.

Take Time Out to Change the World

What would you do if you had the chance to change your life while changing the world?

The Time Out Grant was created to inspire a Vassar College alum to pursue an original, bold interest, project, or business that could effect change in the world. Recipients have used the grant to shed light on issues facing society today.

Irene López ’91 (pictured) created the Lydia Project: Mujeres Bravas con Camaras to train survivors of gender-based violence to document their experiences via photography and enable them to engage in a critical reflection on the images they produced.

Time Out Grant Reimagined for 2024

The proposal may be in any field—science, business, education, the arts, human services, environment, etc.
The project must take place over a minimum of twelve months and may extend for up to two years.

The Time Out Grant has been updated to create a more accessible opportunity in today’s modern working environment:

The Awardee is no longer required to leave their current job to accept the award.
Any Vassar alum 35 years or older by June 30, 2024 may apply for the grant.
The Time Out Grant of $150,000 will now be awarded every other year.

All courageous and creative proposals will be considered. The proposal does not need to be related to the applicant’s current career. At Vassar’s discretion, the proposed venture may be funded with complementary grants, provided the Time Out Grant is the lead funding source.

Apply for the Time Out Grant
Submit a reference for an applicant

Applications and references accepted until February 15, 2024. The winner will be announced by May 30, 2024.

Meet some previous
Time Out Grant recipients

Each of these Vassar graduates, and many others over the past three decades, was able to realize a dream that encompassed their own lives and the lives of others, thanks to the Time Out Grant, funded by an extraordinarily generous, anonymous Vassar alumna.