The Gibbs Design in Action Awards (GDAA) is a grant initiative that supports student-led design and research projects that critically engage issues of community, social, and economic concern within the built environment. These projects take place at Gibbs College, across the OU campus, and throughout Oklahoma. GDAA empowers students to explore meaningful questions and propose creative solutions that connect design with the needs of the communities they study and serve.
Projects may explore issues such as environmental, health, and medical disparities; housing and open space; transportation; food systems and security; technology; education; and other topics of public concern. Approaches might include analysis, construction, cataloging, collaboration, co-creation, design, digitization, investigation, mapping, representation, and discovery, among others.
Award amounts range from $1,500 to $8,000. The number of grants awarded varies based on the volume and quality of applications. Applicants may request funding up to the maximum award of $8,000.
Projects that build partnerships with new or existing community organizations and local nonprofits across Oklahoma. These collaborations aim to develop programs that advance the missions of partner groups while meaningfully integrating them into the life of Gibbs College.
Projects that stage exhibits, installations, workshops, lectures, and other events within Gould Hall. These initiatives foster dialogue around the social, environmental, and economic issues outlined above, showcasing research and creative work in public-facing formats.
Projects that reimagine environmental design education, whether through changes to curriculum content, teaching methods, or the design of instructional spaces. These proposals seek to enrich how we learn, teach, and engage with the built environment.
The online application will ask for the following information. See the application link for more information about specific application requirements.
More detailed application information will be available in January and from attending the information sessions.
Criteria | Point Value |
|---|---|
| Does the application address the core purpose of the GDAA? Does the proposal foreground community concerns and disparities? | 10 points |
| Is the proposal clear, with specific, achievable objectives? | 10 points |
| How does the proposed project contribute to the life of the Gibbs, OU, OK community? There must be a public dimension to the award, by which the findings or some aspect of the project is communicated to part of the Gibbs/OU community (a class, a specific community, an audience for a film or exhibition, to name a few examples), or an outside group that is collaborating with members of the Gibbs community. | 5 points |
| Is the proposal feasible within the time and budget requested? Is its completion manageable within the busy schedule of the student? | 5 points |
| Is the applicant qualified/prepared to carry out the proposed project? See Personal Qualifications statement. | 5 points |
Applications for 2026-2027 will be due in March 2026; More information will be available in early spring 2026.
