Student Milestone Fund

The Tsai CITY Milestone Fund supports Yale students working on early-stage ideas that solve real-world problems. Whether you’re designing a new product, launching a nonprofit, building a community initiative, or producing a creative work intended to solve a tangible problem, this fund is here to help you take the next step.

Teams can receive up to $2,000 in funding per academic year. You are welcome to apply more than once (for example, $500 in October and $1,500 in April), as long as you stay within that total. Applications are reviewed by the Student Funding Team and Tsai CITY staff, and award amounts may be adjusted based on your venture’s stage and the priority of the funding category selected.

How it works

Who can apply: Any team with at least one Yale student enrolled in a degree-granting program at the university.

When to apply:

  • Fall semester: Applications open on September 2. Reviews take place every other week from September 26 through December 2.
  • Spring semester: Applications open on January 12, and close for the year on March 25, the week after Spring Break.

What we fund:

  • Software tools & equipment
  • Materials and supplies
  • Prototyping & production services
  • Marketing & customer discovery costs
  • Legal & accounting consultation

What we do not fund:

  • Team wages & stipends
  • Personal expenses & living costs
  • Honorariums
  • Contractor fees
  • Research costs

What to include

As part of your application, you will:

  • Choose one category from the Student Milestone Fund Categories (available on the application).
  • Explain why that category is your top funding priority.
  • Share what the funding will be used for and why this stage is the most strategic time to receive financial support.
  • Provide a feasible, line-by-line budget — no vague or overly broad estimates — that does not include items already provided through Yale resources.
  • Include a small sample of results or proof that your idea, initiative, or venture can solve a real-world problem.
  • Show a clear plan for how funding will move your idea, initiative, or venture forward to achieve a significant milestone.

Examples may include:

  • Raw materials to create a new product or service
  • Software packages to form a new product or service
  • Travel or conference expenses to find new customers
  • Ad spend with a clear plan and potential ads that will be used

Examples may not include:

  • Only using the budget for ad spending with no clear plan
  • Only purchasing raw materials to increase profit margin
  • Paying individuals to build a prototype

The decision process

Decisions are made during the review period listed above based solely on the information provided in the application. If the Tsai CITY team has questions about your application, an interview may be requested. A member of the Tsai CITY team will email you once a decision is made. Students may apply multiple times to the Student Milestone Fund, as long as the total requested funding does not exceed $2,000 per academic year.

Special note: Teams that have participated in Summer Fellowship, won a Startup Yale Prize, or have received funding exceeding $10,000 may only apply to the Student Milestone Fund once per academic year. 

After funding

All teams that receive funding are asked to submit a brief follow-up form with an update on their progress. No receipts or detailed budget reporting are required.

*The application process for the Fall 2025 semester has ended. Subscribe to our newsletter for more updates about funding and other programs/events happening at Tsai CITY.

*Have questions about funding? Meet with our funding team virtually during office hours.