Take Time Out to Change the World
What would you do if you had a year off to change your life while helping to change the world?
Bishop Joseph Tolton ’89, the 2021 recipient (depicted above), plans to use the grant to start the Pan African Young Adult Leadership Program. The program will bring together 21 activists from Uganda, Rwanda, the Congo, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Haiti, Brazil, Mexico, and the U.S. with the goal of promoting a 21st century global Pan-African movement.
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.
Vassar alumnae/i who have reached their 40th birthday are eligible to apply for the Time Out Grant. Proposals involving innovation and out-of-the-box thinking, with an end goal of significant change, are encouraged. Projects must be designed to span a time frame of at least twelve months. You must be willing to take a full year off from your current endeavors and devote yourself full-time to your project.
Application Process is Open
The Time Out Grant application process is open. Your application and two references must be sent either electronically or postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 15, 2021. You will be notified by email when we receive your application.
Proposals involving innovation and out-of-the-box thinking with an end goal of significant change are encouraged. In evaluating applications, the Committee will consider not only the inherent merits and feasibility of the project but also the degree to which the proposal adheres to the purpose for which the grant was created. The links below allow the application and the reference form to be completed online or downloaded for printing and/or offline completion.
Before you begin your application, have the following materials prepared, and, for an online application, ensure that the total size of all combined files to be uploaded is less than 10MB:
- A succinct summary (no more than 1800 characters) of your Time Out Grant project.
- A detailed project file (maximum of 4 single sided pages, minimum font size of 12) that addresses the following points: What specifically do you plan to do if you are awarded a Time Out Grant? How did you come to develop this plan? If you are awarded a Time Out Grant, how will you implement your proposed plan? How will the grant be spent? How will your life be changed by this opportunity? The Selection Committee appreciates brevity and clarity. (Word or PDF format for upload.)
- A budget file (maximum 1 page, can be added to project document). (Word, Excel or PDF format for upload.)
- Your resume file (maximum 1 page, can be added to project document). (Word or PDF format for upload.)
- The names of your references. Please provide references from individuals (not family members) who are familiar with your proposed project and your abilities.
- (Optional): Up to three photographs relevant to your application. Please only include illustrative materials if it is vital to the Selection Committee’s ability to fairly judge your application. But please use discretion and limit the quantity. (JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, or PDF format for upload.)
Forms to complete and submit online:
Due to ongoing telework we encourage online applications.
Forms to download, print, and submit via postal mail:
- Application Form (PDF format)
- Reference Form (PDF format)
If you experience any technical difficulties in accessing the forms via the links above, please contact us at advancement@vassar.edu for assistance. For non-technical questions about the grant process, please email timeoutgrant@vassar.edu.