The Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants offer one-time financial awards of up to $3,000 to professional dancers experiencing urgent financial crises. These crises arise from the loss or absence of recent or current live performance opportunities caused by circumstances beyond their control.
“Urgent financial crises” include situations such as the imminent loss of housing, healthcare, utilities, or access to food. The goal of this grant is to provide dancers with increased stability by covering essential expenses for up to three months, acknowledging the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the dance community, as well as other recent career disruptions like health issues or injuries.
Please be aware: the demand for these grants exceeds the available funding, and applying does not guarantee funding. Details about the review and selection process can be found at the bottom of this page.
This initiative, along with Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants, is made possible through the generosity of the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation. Named after the artist Robert Rauschenberg, who was dedicated to supporting fellow artists in times of need and founded the nonprofit Change, Inc. in 1970, the Foundation recognizes the profound impact the pandemic has had on dancers and their livelihoods, leading to the creation of these emergency support grants.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the full details and submit their applications before the specified deadline to seize this grant opportunity.
Last Date of Submission: 6th October 2026
Submit Online Application for Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grant Cycle 2026 United States of America
Who Can Apply for the Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants
To be eligible, applicants must meet all three of the following criteria: Individual, Artistic, and Emergency. You must fulfill each of these requirements by the application deadline.
Individual Eligibility
Be 21 years or older at the time of application.
Reside in the United States, District of Columbia, Tribal Nation, or U.S. Territories.
Have an adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less (individual) or $160,000 or less (joint filers), averaged over the last two federal tax returns.
Not have received a Rauschenberg Medical Emergency or Dancer Emergency Grant within the past five years.
Not be enrolled in any degree-seeking educational program.
Demonstrate ongoing professional activity as a dancer (see Artistic eligibility below).
Artistic Eligibility
Be a professional dancer with at least five years of paid, live dance performance experience since 2022.
Perform in any dance style, including contemporary, modern, ballet, hip-hop, street styles, tap, cultural/traditional, circus, improvisation, or interdisciplinary movement-based work.
Performances can be paid or free, in settings like stage, street festivals, music videos, etc., as long as you have performed live, public-facing dance regularly since 2022 (at least once annually).
Full-time dancer status is not required; dance performance does not need to be your primary income.
Reduced activity due to medical or personal reasons within the last 12 months is acceptable if you can show prior public activity before 2022.
Performances in educational, social, commercial, or industrial settings, as well as online-only or self-produced online work, do not qualify.
Emergency Eligibility
Be experiencing a dire financial emergency that has occurred within the last six months.
Emergency situations include imminent loss of housing, healthcare, utilities, food, or transportation.
The emergency must be due to a recent (within six months) loss or lack of paid dance work caused by circumstances beyond your control (e.g., canceled performances, contract cancellations, illness, injury).
Expenses for which you are requesting funds must be incurred and paid within the U.S. (including D.C., Tribal Nations, and U.S. Territories).
The emergency must have happened in the last approximately six months as specified in the current cycle.
Submit Online Application for Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grant Cycle 2026 United States of America
Why This Grant Opportunity Is Important
The Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants play a vital role in supporting dancers facing urgent financial crises, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. For many dancers, live performance work is their primary source of income, and unexpected cancellations, injuries, or personal emergencies can quickly lead to severe financial hardship. This grant provides critical relief, helping dancers meet essential needs such as housing, healthcare, and food, allowing them to recover and continue their artistic careers. By offering immediate financial support, the program helps sustain the dance community, uphold artists’ livelihoods, and promote diversity and resilience within the arts sector.
What Makes a Strong Application
A strong application clearly demonstrates the following:
Eligibility Compliance: All eligibility criteria (individual, artistic, emergency) are fully met and documented.
Clear Explanation of Emergency: Provide detailed, compelling evidence of the urgent financial crisis, including specific expenses incurred and how they relate to the emergency.
Demonstrated Need: Show how the grant will directly impact your ability to address your emergency and stabilize your situation.
Artistic Activity: Include a well-organized resume or portfolio that highlights your recent dance work, emphasizing public performances since 2022.
Completeness & Clarity: Submit a complete, well-written application with all requested documents, and clearly articulate your situation and need.
How to apply?
Submit your application
Applications must be in English (though they may be translated by someone other than the applicant) and can be completed by a proxy if needed.
All applications, including support materials, should be submitted online via Submittable.* First-time users will need to register with the free Submittable platform to access the application portal.
Applications are open through Tuesday, October 6, 5:00 PM ET.
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted and no exceptions will be made. We strongly recommend that applicants complete their applications in advance of the deadline to avoid potential technical problems.
Applicants will receive an automatic response from Submittable once their application has been successfully received.
*We understand that under certain conditions, it may be easier for an artist to submit a paper application or receive assistance with an online application. Please contact emergencyfunds@nyfa.org or 212.366.6900 ext. 239 to request assistance or an accommodation. We ask that requests for accommodation be made as soon as possible, preferably two weeks prior to the deadline, to allow adequate time for staff to support you in submitting an application on time.
Note: For more comprehensive details click the link below
Get full access to the grant information, visit the Official Website Link
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I apply if I perform primarily online or in non-traditional settings?
Online-only performances or self-produced online content are not eligible. You must have recent, live, public-facing dance performances.
- If I had reduced activity due to injury or illness, can I still apply?
Yes, if you can demonstrate public activity before 2022 and your recent activity was reduced for medical or personal reasons within the last 12 months.
- How long does the review process take?
After submitting a complete and eligible application, it typically takes several weeks. The process includes eligibility checks, panel review, and lottery selection for remaining awards.
- Is this grant renewable or can I apply again in future cycles?
This is a one-time grant per individual within a five-year period. You can apply again after five years if you still meet eligibility criteria.
- What should I include to prove my emergency?
Provide a detailed explanation of your situation, including specific recent expenses, proof of income loss or canceled work, and documentation of the urgent need (such as bills, letters, or contracts).
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