Finding Funding

Office of Sponsored Programs

Overview

Finding funding can occur through many avenues, including networking with peers, memberships in professional organizations, targeted listservs, and through web-based searches. Before getting started, first be sure to define the scope of what you wish to accomplish and itemize the expenses (labor, travel, supplies) you will need.

Below are links to resources that can help you find funding. You can also set up an appointment with an OSP representative to help navigate these searches.

Federal Funding

Grants.gov

Search tool for funding across all U.S federal agencies.

National Science Foundation (NSF)

The National Science Foundation funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. It accounts for nearly one-fourth of all federally funded basic research conducted at colleges and universities in the U.S.

National Institute of Health (NIH)

Offers funding for many types of health-related grants, contracts, and even programs that help repay loans (LRP) for researchers.

National Institute of Justice (NIJ)

Awards grants and agreements for physical and social science research, development and evaluation projects about criminal justice.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.

Department of Energy (DOE)

The lead federal agency supporting fundamental research for energy production and security.

National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)

Serves and strengthens our republic by promoting excellence in the humanities and conveying the lessons of history to all Americans.

Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

Inspires libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement, including grant making.

Department of Education

ED's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

EPA funds extramural research through its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program and the People, Prosperity, and the Planet (P3) Program. These research programs help to engage top research scientists and students that results in a strong scientific foundation to support the agency’s mission of protecting human health and the environment.

Department of Commerce (DOC)

The Department fosters the innovation and invention that underpin the U.S. comparative advantage. Its scientists research emerging technologies such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI). Companies use NIST and NTIA laboratories to conduct research and development (R&D). NOAA advances R&D of the commercial space industry and climate science. USPTO’s intellectual property (IP) protections ensure American innovators profit from their work.

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)

The only arts funder in America—public or private—that provides access to the arts in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.

Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)

As a part of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), AFOSR's technical experts foster and fund research within AFRL, universities, and industry laboratories to ensure the transition of research results to support USAF needs.

To accomplish this task, AFOSR solicits proposals for research through various Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) as well as various other programs.

U.S. Army Research Laboratory's Army Research Office (ARO)

The ARL’s Army Research Office, founded in 1951 as the Army Research Office and based in Research Triangle Park, N.C., has more than 100 scientists, engineers and support staff, who manage the Army’s extramural research program. The U.S. Combat Capabilities Development Command, or DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory, is the Army’s sole fundamental research laboratory serving as the nexus between the military, academia and industry. ARL expertise drives cross-cutting advancements in science and technology to ensure the Army wins now and in the future.

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

DARPA pursues research that leads to transformational change rather than incremental advances. It does so collaboratively as part of a robust innovation ecosystem that includes academic, industry, and defense and government partners from diverse disciplines and approaches.

Office of Naval Research (ONR)

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is constantly looking for innovative scientific and technological solutions that can address current and future Navy and Marine Corps requirements. We want to do business with people and organizations with ground-breaking ideas, pioneering scientific research, novel technology developments and first-class support services. ONR announces current areas of interest through Broad Agency Announcements, Notices of Funding Opportunities, Special Program Announcements, Requests for Proposal or Quote, Special Notices, and Requests for Information.

NASA

NASA leads the nation on a great journey of discovery, seeking new knowledge and understanding of our planet Earth, our Sun and solar system, and the universe out to its farthest reaches and back to its earliest moments of existence. NASA recognizes the scientists and engineers who utilize science data are at the center of it all.

Small Business Administration

the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.

Non-Federal Opportunities

American Historical Association Research Grants

Grants may be used for travel to a library or archive; microfilming, photography, or photocopying; hiring a researcher; borrowing or access fees; and similar research expenses—a list of purposes that is meant to be merely illustrative, not exhaustive (other expenses, such as childcare, can be included). Only AHA members are eligible to apply for AHA research grants.

The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship (AEF) Program

The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship (AEF) Program provides a unique opportunity for accomplished K-12 educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to serve in the national education arena. Fellows spend eleven months working in Federal agencies or in U.S. Congressional offices, applying their extensive knowledge and classroom experiences to national education program and/or education policy efforts. At the end of the Fellowship, educators are equipped with access to a national network of education leaders and programs, a better understanding of the challenges and possibilities in STEM education, and a renewed passion for teaching, ready to make significant contributions to the educational community.

American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research

IADR Drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research for health and well-being worldwide. They provide grants, fellowships, and competitions for all career stages or scientific area.

Kress Foundation

Through its Grant Programs, the Kress Foundation supports scholarly projects that promote the appreciation, interpretation, preservation, study and teaching of European art from antiquity to the early 19th century. These competitive grants are awarded to institutions only.

Prevent Cancer Foundation

The Prevent Cancer Foundation is supporting research grant or fellowship projects focused on cancers without guideline-recommended screening methods. By prioritizing these cancer types (for people at average risk), we seek to address a critical gap with potential for significant impact. Investing in research focused on cancer prevention, early detection, risk stratification and novel screening approaches for these cancers represents an opportunity to fundamentally change survival trajectories.