Grant Funding Sources and Foundation Types

Databases for Funding: When searching for funding, it's best to use databases that consolidate opportunities by group.
- grants.gov: This platform captures all federal funding sources.
  - It is updated immediately upon the release of new opportunities, which are also posted to the Federal Register.
  - Creating an account allows users to save searches, create, and receive email alerts based on predetermined criteria.
- SPIN: A subscription database accessible to the TCSPP community.
  - Access is gained via a provided link using TCSPP credentials.
  - Similar to grants.gov, an account enables saving searches and setting up email alerts on a customizable basis.
- National Science Foundation (NSF): A significant funder of undergraduate and graduate research.
  - NSF grants are awarded based on merit, not financial need.
  - Projects should demonstrate innovation within their specific context, not merely be designed to address program deficiencies.
  - Relevancy for a project can be established through a literature review, best practices, or a clear theory of change.

While the federal government is the largest supporter of research, numerous foundations also provide academic research funding.
When considering foundation support, it is crucial to align with the foundation's mission, vision, values, and their specific interests in research activities.
A comprehensive list of foundations funding academic research is available on the Student Support Resources site, with some prominent ones highlighted.

Private or Independent Foundations:
- Often originate from family foundations.
- Instead of raising revenue from donors, they primarily use the interest generated from their endowments to fund projects.
- Example: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which focuses on improving health and healthcare for Americans.
Public Foundations (Grant-making Public Charities):
- Receive support from diverse sources, including other foundations, individual donors, and government agencies.
Operating Foundations:
- Utilize their own financial resources to fund their own internal programs.
- A limited number of these foundations also award grants to external organizations.

Government Agencies:
- Provide equal opportunities for all applicants to compete for funding.
- Funding decisions involve panel reviewers who have subject matter expertise relevant to the research being considered.
- Panels often include lay community members to ensure a diverse perspective is incorporated into the peer review process.
- This review process is extensive and rigorous.
Foundation Funders:
- Smaller foundations may not have the resources to conduct the same extensive review process as government agencies.
- Consequently, they may utilize reviewers who do not possess the same level of subject matter understanding as those on government panels.
- Implication for Applicants: It is critically important to articulate your project proposal clearly and concisely, ensuring that anyone reading it, regardless of their specialist knowledge, can fully comprehend what is being proposed.