MAKE Animation Thesis Grant 2026

The MAKE Animation Thesis Grant 2026 helps final-year animation students pay for their thesis films. MAKE, an animation and visual effects studio, awards $2,000, $1,000 and $500 to three student projects, and the money goes directly towards production costs. International students are welcome, teams can apply, and the deadline is 6 November 2026.

Thesis films are often the first serious calling card an animator makes, and they are expensive: software, sound, music, voice actors and render time all add up. The grant is small, but it is easy to apply for: a pitch deck, a portfolio and two short paragraphs.

Winners are announced only ten days after the deadline, so the money arrives early enough to shape the production.

Who Can Apply for the MAKE Animation Thesis Grant?

The grant is for animation students in the final year of a BA, BFA, MA or MFA programme at an accredited institution. Proof of enrolment may be requested. Students can apply alone or as a team, and international students are eligible.

It is particularly relevant to:

• 2D and 3D animation students
• Stop-motion and mixed-media animators
• Student teams making a shared thesis film
• Illustrators moving into animation as part of their degree

What Does the Grant Offer?

• First place: $2,000
• Second place: $1,000
• Third place: $500

The funds go directly to production costs rather than to the student, so think of the grant as a production budget for the film.

Application Fees

The official page does not list an application fee.

Submission Requirements

Each application includes four parts:

1. Story concept and treatment: a single PDF formatted as a presentation
2. Personal portfolio: a link to your website or a portfolio PDF
3. Statement of purpose: one to two paragraphs
4. Funding proposal: a paragraph explaining how you would use the money; MAKE provides an optional template

How Are Entries Judged?

A MAKE panel chooses the winners using three criteria:

• Creativity and originality
• Technical skill and artistry
• Overall presentation

Important Rules

• Applicants must be in the final year of study at an accredited school.
• Grants are paid towards production costs, not as personal income.
• Teams apply with one shared project.

When Will Applicants Be Notified?

Winners are announced on 16 November 2026.

How Can a Small Grant Help a Thesis Film?

Two thousand dollars will not pay for a whole film, but on a student budget it can cover the parts that are hardest to do yourself: an original score, a sound designer, voice actors, festival submission fees or extra render time. Spending it on these finishing touches often makes the biggest difference to how a thesis film is received at festivals and by studios.

Applying also has value beyond the money. Preparing a clear treatment, a style deck and a budget is good practice for the pitches animators make after graduation.

Things to Consider

• Treat the PDF as a pitch. Clear story beats, style frames and a short logline show the panel you can finish the film.
• Show your look early. A few finished frames or a short animatic say more than long descriptions.
• Make the budget concrete. List what the money pays for, such as sound design, music licences or render costs.
• Keep the statement short. Two paragraphs on why this film matters to you are enough.
• Curate the portfolio. Put your strongest animation first; a short reel works better than a long one.
• Apply as a team if you are one. Shared projects are welcome, so present the team and its roles clearly.

Apply for the Grant

Interested in applying?

Apply for the MAKE Animation Thesis Grant

For the full guidelines, template and application form, visit the official MAKE website.

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Last verified: October 13, 2026