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Funding Sources

A variety of online resources are available for searching for funding sources. Before searching, it can be helpful to make a thorough list of keywords that are related to the project. Searches will be most successful if both general and specific keywords are used and if several searches are conducted using different key terms. The below section includes some resources for locating and evaluating funding sources.

In addition to the information presented here, ORSP is available to provide one-on-one assistance with the search process as requested. 

GrantSelect

GrantSelect is an online database of funding opportunities such as grants (for programs, projects, planning, start-up, endowments, technical assistance, facilities and equipment, etc.), awards and fellowships, for example. Funding opportunities range from pure research grants to arts programs, K-12 education funding, international programs, and operating grants for nonprofit organizations. 

Sponsoring organizations include federal government agencies (including NIH, NSF, and many others), foundations and other nonprofit organizations, corporations and corporate foundations, research institutes, state agencies, and universities. 

To get started login to GrantSelect at:
 http://www.grantselect.com/access  (click on Institutional Login button)

Federal

Finding Federal Grant Programs

Trying to find the right program in the realm of grants and government funding can feel overwhelming at times. To sort through the federal grant programs, the authoritative source is the Assistance Listings section of the new site: SAM.gov (formerly CFDA). This catalog lists all of the available funding programs to all levels of government, nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses, and other eligible entities.

Another option is to search grants within Grants.gov, which is the federal government's e-portal for locating and applying for federal grants. Grants.gov contains thousands of grant opportunities in more than 900 different programs. The database is fully searchable and users may also view recently added grant opportunities or most often viewed opportunities. A notification service is available that delivers new grant announcements via email as they are released, and RSS feed is also available from the grants.gov website.

List of Common Federal Funding Programs

List of Common Federal Awards Databases

State

Go to PA.Gov website for links to all agencies. Each agency will have information for applicable grants/funding.

Examples of agencies:

  • Department of Community and Economic Development
  • Department of Environmental Protection
  • Liquor Control Board
  • Council on the Arts
  • Department of Education
  • Historical and Museum Commission
  • Department of Agriculture
  • Department of Aging
  • Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs
  • Department of Health
  • Department of Human Services
  • Department of Labor and Industry

Corporate/Foundations

The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations works hard to secure funding from corporations, and local and national foundations to support the needs of the University of Scranton. 

Please contact Meg Hambrose, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, with assistance on identifying corporate or foundation grants. margaret.hambrose@scranton.edu or visit the Corporate and Foundation Relations page for additional information.

Internal

The Provost office provides a listing of University of Scranton internal research opportunities. 

Some examples:

  • Special Session Faculty Development Grants
  • The Interdisciplinary Faculty Seminar Fund (The Clavius Fund)
  • Distinguished Professors Award
  • Internal Research Awards
  • President’s Fellowship for Summer Research
  • Research as a High Impact Practice
  • Teaching Enhancement Grants

Other

Networking with Colleagues

Word of mouth can be one of the most effective methods for locating funding sources. Simply asking others who have done similar projects how their projects are funded can help to identify potential sponsors. People are usually willing to share their experiences and ideas. Conferences and professional meetings provide excellent opportunities for networking with others in your field. 

General Internet Searches

General Internet searches, with the use of limited, specific keywords, can often yield valid results for funding opportunities, but it is important to carefully evaluate the type of website on which the information is found to be certain the information is valid. Legitimate grant opportunities will not request social security numbers, bank account information, or any other personal information. ORSP staff are available to assist in determining whether funding opportunities published on general Internet pages are legitimate. 

Another useful function of a general Internet search is identifying programs or research occurring at other institutions that might be similar in nature to an applicant's proposed project. Funded projects will typically grant credit to the sponsoring agency on their websites, and this can be a useful way to identify potential sponsors. In addition, making contact with individuals with similar interests often results in the sharing of information about how funding was secured for a particular project and could lead to collaborative opportunities for future projects. 

Evaluating Funding Sources

The decision to pursue a grant opportunity is an important one. The following are some important considerations in making an informed decision about whether to pursue a particular funding opportunity. 

Eligibility

Eligibility is an important consideration because if they University is not eligible to apply for the funding opportunity, an application submitted from the University would be automatically rejected. Most grant competition announcements will include a section regarding applicant eligibility that will list specific types of entities that are qualified to compete for funding. In addition to applicant types, sponsoring agencies may concentrate funding in specific geographical locations or provide a list of eligible applicants. It is also important to consider whether the agency requires the submission of proposals from a consortium of applicants or if partners are required as part of the application process. If so, those partnerships should be in place prior to making a decision to pursue the opportunity. 

Time Frame

A rushed proposal is not likely to be competitive with proposals from applicants who may have devoted substantially more time to preparing a proposal. It is important to ensure that enough time is available to gather needed resources, formulate a thorough research or service plan, develop any collaborative partnerships for the project, and secure support from supervisors and University officials. Most importantly, there must be sufficient time to develop a high-quality proposal that is likely to be competitive with others submitting for the same opportunity. 

Appropriateness

Choosing a sponsor with similar interests and concerns is an essential part of getting a proposal funded. It is important to ensure that the proposed project aligns clearly with the goals and priorities of the sponsoring agency.  Most agencies have a clearly defined mission and purpose as well as specific priorities for each funding opportunity they sponsor, and this information is typically available both on the agency website and in the funding opportunity announcement.

Likelihood of Success

Many funding opportunity announcements will include information about the number of projects to be funded, and some will also provide information about the number of applications received in past competitions.  This information can be helpful in estimating the likelihood that a proposal will be selected for funding.  In addition, many agencies provide a list of projects that have been funded under the program in the past, and many provide abstracts of those programs.  This information can be helpful in determining whether the proposed project is similar to projects that have been funded by the agency in the past in terms of applicant agency type, funding requested, and project goals. Potential applicants may also wish to contact past grantees to inquire about their experience with the agency. 

Types of Support

The majority of sponsoring agencies will provide support in the form of cash awards, but some grant programs award materials, equipment, or other types of support.  Potential applicants should consider whether the amount of money being offered by the agency is sufficient for completing the project to be proposed for support.  If not, the funding opportunity may not be appropriate for the project, or the project may need to be scaled back to fit within the funding limitations.  This same principle is applicable for the length of time the agency is willing to support the project.  Work to be performed over a period of several years, for example, should not be proposed for funding from an agency that supports only one-year projects. 

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