De Florez Fund for Humor
About the fund
The de Florez Fund for Humor supports diverse humorous activities and initiatives. We welcome applications from all members of the MIT community.
De Florez Funding is divided into three distinct streams:
Curricular support: The fund supports curricular activities and initiatives across the institute. Up to $30,000 (or a maximum of 20% of the Fund’s yearly income) is specifically earmarked for humorous curricular proposals. We welcome requests for both small and large awards, from faculty and teaching staff in any department, section, college, or school.
Extra-curricular support: The fund supports a breadth of faculty-, staff-, and student-led extra-curricular activities and initiatives. Proposals for small grants ($750 or less) are considered twice a semester. Proposals for larger amounts are accepted once a semester.
Committee-organized events: The de Florez Fund Committee organizes larger humorous events and performances an average of once per semester.
How to apply
Submit your application using our online form.
On the form, you’ll be asked to provide:
- Your contact information.
- The details of your proposal and it’s humorous impact on the MIT community.
- Budget information, including an itemized budget and other sources of funding.
Applications are evaluated by the de Florez Humor Fund Committee. Funding decisions will be made approximately two weeks following the application deadline.
Eligibility criteria
All members of the MIT community are eligible for this award.
Application deadlines
Twice a semester, we consider proposals for $750 or less. Approvals, rejections, or requests for additional information will be evaluated on September 22, November 3, 2025, February 23, and April 6, 2026.
Once each semester, we consider proposals for over $750. The deadlines are Monday, September 22, 2025 and February 23, 2026.
Additional guidelines and resources
Previous award winners
The Fund supports a wide variety of awards. In addition to supporting curricula, recently funded proposals include:
- Hosting stand-up comics at MIT.
- Putting on a humorous play.
- Purchasing kazoos to distribute to people along the Infinite Corridor on ‘MIT Kazoo Day.’
- Organizing a zany costume charity run.
Receiving and using an award
If your proposal is approved, your proposal award will be given within 10 days of the decision announcement. Funds can only be transferred to a valid cost object in the MIT accounting system.
The de Florez Committee is unable to consider requests for events that have already occurred.
In accepting funding, successful applicants agree to:
- Keep events and projects within the fund’s guidelines of “innocent humor.”
- Use funding only for activities that do not involve risk of damage to persons or property, or embarrassment to others.
- Acknowledge the de Florez Fund support in any publicity for the event. The committee will provide a file with the De Florez Humor Fund name and symbol for use on brochures, posters, etc.
- Provide a brief report on how you spent the funds—and whether you had any fun doing so.
For more information
If you have questions about the fund, or would like to discuss an idea, please email Chanh Phan.
