Funding How-To Guide

This page serves as a resource for the grant seeker in how to get started with their funding search.  The Center has provided valuable links and tips that will be regularly updated to provide timely and relevant information to the grant seeker.

Step 1: Search for Funding Opportunities

The easiest and least expensive method to search for available grant opportunities is through the web.  Most every funding source maintains a website with a link to their grant or community giving programs.  Through simple web searches, a grant seeker can quickly locate opportunities for review.  Federal databases and foundation resources have been listed by the Center to start and facilitate the grant search.  Other funding resources are also available to include links to research and education opportunities.

Step 2: Subscribe to ListServs and Funding Alerts

Subscribing to ListServs and Funding Alerts can be valuable. ListServs, also called mailing lists, are e-mail notifications on various broad topics. Funding Alerts are e-mail notifications for new grant funding opportunities and updates to previously posted opportunities.  Several free subscriptions to funding announcements have been provided below.

• For notification on federal grant opportunities, sign-up with Grants.gov.  A grant seeker can choose to receive alerts via an RSS feed or through tailored email based on the grant seeker's specific funding criteria.
• For science funding opportunities from government agencies, private foundations, and not-for-profit organizations, sign-up with GrantsNet.
• For foundation funding opportunities and philanthrophy news, sign-up for free newsletters with the Foundation Center.

Step 3: Search Awarded Proposal Databases

Once the grant seeker locates funding opportunities with a specific funder, research the funder's awarded proposal database, if available, to identify previous awards made and examples of successfully funded projects. This information can help the grant seeker decide what funding to apply for and if the funder's priorities align with their funding priorities.  The Center provides an Awarded Proposal Databases list to help the grant seeker quickly navigate to several databases where awarded information is maintained.

Step 4: Other References and Resources

Several other resources are available to the grant seeker in searching for and submitting grants. If you need help drafting a proposal, there are free online references for proposal writing. Although most grant workshops are not free, if you are new to grant seeking then it may be worth attending a workshop, which will familiarize you with the entire grant process.  Valuable and free information in searching for grants and understanding the grant submission process is often available through established university grant office website pages.   These resources, some of which have been identified by the Center, provide a comprehensive look of what it typically takes to develop and submit a grant.  The external business funding page also provides web links to businesses looking for anything from venture capital to how to draft a business plan.