Try It Fund
Applications open the first day of each semester and close at 11:59pm EDT the last day of fall or spring break (usually a Sunday), depending on the semester. Applications are closed in the summer.
The Try It Fund has been made possible through generous support from the Charlie Hinnant ’72 Fund, Davidson alums, and other community sponsors.
About the
Try It Fund
The Try It Fund is a grant competition that awards Davidson students with up to $1,000 to pursue a creative or innovative idea.
We fund for-profit ventures, so your project must intend, or have the potential, to make money by selling a product, idea, or service.
We realize you are going to make mistakes when attempting something you’ve never done before. Failure is part of the creative process, and we want you to take risks, try new ideas, learn how to quickly recognize what doesn’t work and pivot onto something that does. The biggest mistake you may make, however, is simply not to Try It!
Applications for the fall will open August 24, 2026 and close September 22, 2026.
Upon accepting the award, you must consent to make substantial progress towards your goal within 8 weeks, attend an orientation meeting, have regular check-ins, document and reflect upon the creative process, and be open to giving an on-campus presentation on what was learned from the process.
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria – Creativity & Innovation; Feasibility & Practicality; Potential Impact; Effort and Commitment; Alignment with Fund Goals; and Viability.
As an international student, this funding may be subject to federal tax (20% max; 14% federal, 6% state, unless treaty benefits apply). The grant will be grossed up to include tax obligations.
Upon signing the agreement, you are agreeing to check your email for correspondence from Sprintax Calculus/Susan Caldwell in the Controller’s Office and respond quickly to any inquiries concerning the Foreign National Tax Assessment. As an International student (Non-Resident Alien), you will receive IRS form 1042/1042-S for all taxable payments. You will be responsible for filing the Form 1040NR in the following year.
Stories & News
Try It Fund recipients
You will see from the stories below that there isn’t one type of project that we are looking for. We want creativity. Take a responsible risk. Make something sustainable. Be passionate.
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- STARTUPS
- STUDENTS
- AVINGER IMPACT FUND
- TRY IT FUND
- ACCESS TO CAPITAL
- INNOVATION
Wear Your Story: How Jacary Lightsey ’27 Is Redefining Self-Expression
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- COMMUNITY
- STUDENTS
- TRY IT FUND
- ACCESS TO CAPITAL
- DISCUSSION
- EDUCATION
- INNOVATION
Finding Community Through Authenticity: The Story Behind Golpo But It’s True
Read -
- STARTUPS
- STUDENTS
- TRY IT FUND
- ACCESS TO CAPITAL
- EDUCATION
- INNOVATION
Jack Berlin ’27: Bringing Music From Campus to Community
Read -
- STARTUPS
- STUDENTS
- TRY IT FUND
- ACCESS TO CAPITAL
- EDUCATION
- INNOVATION
Annelise Hawgood ’27: Painting Her Way Into Entrepreneurship With Art by Ann
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- STARTUPS
- STUDENTS
- TRY IT FUND
- ACCESS TO CAPITAL
- EDUCATION
- INNOVATION
Sebastian Macaire ’27: A New Perspective on Real Estate Through Drone Photography
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- COMMUNITY
- STARTUPS
- STUDENTS
- NISBET VENTURE FUND
- TRY IT FUND
- ACCESS TO CAPITAL
- EDUCATION
- INNOVATION
SideQuest Creators Secure $2,500 Entrepreneurial Excellence Award at Nisbet Venture Fund Competition
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- ARTICLES
- ALUMNI
- STARTUPS
- NISBET VENTURE FUND
- TRY IT FUND
- ACCESS TO CAPITAL
- INNOVATION
Thomas Athey ’24: Revolutionizing Music Management and Distribution
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- ARTICLES
- STARTUPS
- STUDENTS
- TRY IT FUND
- ACCESS TO CAPITAL
Emma Huff ‘26: Spreading Positivity One Sticker at a Time with Star Sprout
Read -
- ALUMNI
- STARTUPS
- TRY IT FUND
- ACCESS TO CAPITAL
Sydney Schertz ’24: Capturing Life’s Honest Moments Through Photography
Read
F1 Visa – International Student FAQ
Funding questions
No, students with a F-1 visa cannot receive funds from their own businesses while in the U.S. and enrolled at Davidson unless they work with International Student Engagement to apply to USCIS, and be approved for, pre-completion Optional Practical Training . Receiving pre-completion OPT is discouraged and takes away from the available OPT post-graduation. International students should talk with International Student Engagement before engaging in any business ventures in the U.S.
Yes, students with a F-1 visa can receive awards after graduation, as long as they meet certain conditions, such as having approved post-completion OPT and pursuing a business idea directly related to their major field of study, or leaving the U.S.
Post-completion OPT is a period during which international students with an F-1 visa can work in their major field of study in the U.S. It is important because students need this authorization to be eligible to receive payments from their own businesses while they are physically in the U.S.
Generally, no. During their 12 months of initial OPT F-1 students may be self-employed and manage their own businesses. However, the 24-month STEM extension precludes self-employment and continuance of payments from Davidson College in any form. International students are encouraged to consult with an immigration attorney about their options for entrepreneurship beyond the initial 12 months of OPT.