Research Guides: Grants: Overview

Funding Directories

SPIN
An extensive research funding opportunity database that allows for both active searching as well as automated, daily opportunity notifications. To access training videos, click "Help" at top right of SPIN screen.
Note: You must be connected to campus WiFi if you need to create a new profile.

Foundation Directory Online
Contains information about the largest 10,000 public and private grantmakers in the U.S. and links to foundation websites for finding funding. Learn more about using Foundation Directory Online.

Philanthropy News Digest
Philanthropy-related articles, features, and RFPs culled from print and electronic media outlets nationwide. Customize your push notifications.
Grants.gov
Set up push notifications for new grants in your research area, and search and apply for all United States government funding opportunities
The Grantsmanship Center
Funding State by State lists top grant-making foundations, community foundations and corporate giving programs for each state. Also a source for training webinars on all aspects of grant funding and information on international funding sources.
Guidestar Non-Profit Reports 990
Basic data on non-profit organizations, including foundations, from their IRS 990 tax forms. Information typically given is the purpose of the foundation & annual budget.

Foundation Grants to Individuals by Claire Charles (Editor)
Call Number: AS911.A2 F67 2015 (Hamon Arts Library, non-circulating)
Publication Date: 2015
The most comprehensive directory available of private grantmakers, public charities and corporate giving programs in the United States that provide financial assistance to individuals.

Federal Grant Programs

National Endowment for the Humanities
One of the largest funders of humanities programs in the United States
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Offers funding for many types of grants, contracts, and even programs that help repay loans for researchers.
National Institute of Justice
Awards grants and agreements for physical and social science research, development and evaluation projects about criminal justice.
National Science Foundation
Funds research, education, and training in most fields of science and engineering

SMU Research & Grant Resources

Office of Research Administration
Responsible for proposal development and submission, contract negotiation, project closeout, research compliance, and facilitates the internal approval process for proposals and awards.
Faculty Research Grants
For research and research-related travel, equipment, supplies, software, and other direct expenses.
Sponsored Projects and Contracts
Professional administrative support for the responsible management of sponsored projects.
Graduate Student Funding
Various fellowships and graduate funding available to the SMU community.

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Related Guides

Tips for Finding Grants

Define your project before searching for a grant.

Define the scope of what you want to accomplish.
List the supplies, labor, travel, or other resources you will need.
Itemize all costs, including your own time, into a budget.

Types of Organizations

Granting institutions can be federal, private foundations, microgrants, or even a crowdsourcing fund, such as Kickstarter or GoFundMe. Applicants should be familiar with the following aspects of grants and their funding organizations.

Types of applications: Will the organization fund individuals or other non-profit organizations, or both?
Annual amount: Is the grant large enough to cover what you need, or do you need to find more than one funding source?
Geographic area: Which regions are the grants limited to?
Areas of funding: Does the institution fund your area of research?
Are there gaps in the information you can't find about the institution? How can you find this information out?