Ohio Art Education Foundation (OAEF) Research Grant Program

Purpose
The OAEF Research Grant supports art educators conducting research to advance knowledge in art education. Proposals should align with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Fine Arts Model Curriculum or an Ohio School district’s adopted Art Curriculum.  Projects must investigate the impact of art education on student learning, providing evidence-based data. Grants will be awarded in memory of Dr. Dennis Cannon.

Program Overview
  • Who Can Apply: Active OAEA members (membership required for at least one year before application).
  • Funding Range: Up to $5,000 per grant.
  • Project Year: July 1 – June 30.
  • Deadline: May 1.
  • Grant Notification: June 15.


Eligible Applicants
Active OAEA members at the time of application and for the duration of the grant.
Collaborative Projects (2-3 OAEA members with a lead researcher).
Ineligible Applicants
Non-OAEA members or members with only NAEA affiliation.
OAEF Board of Trustee members or their relatives.


What OAEF Research Program Funds
Funded Activities
Research on art education’s impact on student learning.
Collaborative art education research projects with researchers and practitioners.
Research projects providing quantitative data on arts education.
Not Funded
Attendance at conferences or conventions.
Indirect costs, equipment, or publication production.
Program implementation costs (e.g., after-school programs).


Electronic Application Requirements through the OAEA website
  1. Project Description:
    • Title (150 characters)
    • Summary (2–3 sentences)
    • Research problem, hypothesis, and methodology (no more than three pages single-sided)
  2. Budget: Clear, itemized breakdown of requested funds; matching funds encouraged but not required.
  3. Timeline: Specific milestones within the project year.
  4. References: Contact details of three professional references (excluding OAEF Trustees).
  5. Supporting Documents:
    • Resumes of key personnel (no more than 3 pages total)
    • Previous research examples (if applicable)

​Review Rubric
Criteria                                                                              Points
Relevance of OAEF Research Grant Program Priorities    0-20
Clarity of the problem and hypothesis                                 0-20
Research design and methodology                                    0-10
Timeline feasibility                                                               0-10
Budget aligned to project                                                    0-10
Researcher qualifications                                                   0-20


Selection Process
Every effort is made to ensure the impartiality of the jury relative to the applicants. All grants are awarded without regard to age, gender, race, special needs, or national origin. Applications will be reviewed based on a rubric reflecting the stated application criteria. Personal interviews to clarify information are optional.
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Post-Award Requirements
  • Acknowledgment: Include “Supported by a Grant from the Ohio Art Education Foundation” on all project materials, and OAEF logo when appropriate.
  • Final Report: Submit within 30 days of project completion. Must include:
    • Summary of goals, methodology, and findings.
    • Detailed expenditure report.
    • Copies of developed materials or publications.
  • Changes/Extensions: Requests for significant changes or extensions must be approved by OAEF in advance and at least 30 days prior to the end of the award period.
  • Sharing: Applicants are encouraged to share their research with OAEA members through publication in Artline, or a workshop presentation on the state or regional level.

Contact Information
For questions, submission details, or to request release of funds:
Email: [email protected]