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Finding Funding: Tools and Sources

Here you will find information on the grant process, where to find funding and grant opportunities, and further helpful resources when searching for and writing grants.

External Funding Opportunities

​External research funding is available from a variety of sources, including government agencies, foundations and other nonprofit organizations, and corporations. To receive funding from external sources, you first have to find funders whose eligibility,  criteria, philosophies, and funding focus  align  with you and your project. Below is a list of organizations and resources for external funding. 

Many of these organizations' websites offer information on past awards granted, as well as a subscription option to receive funding alerts via email.

Federal Funding Opportunities


Every year, the federal government grants billions of dollars in research funding to academic institutions to drive knowledge and innovation in numerous fields, including biomedical science, engineering, social sciences, and the humanities. Though highly competitive, these grants are essential to the university research enterprise. The 26 federal agencies that award research funding -- NIH, NSF, NEH, and DOD, among them -- post open opportunities at the central Grants.gov site. (University of Michigan, Research Funding and Grants Guide)

State Funding Opportunities

Private and Not-for-Profit Funding Opportunities

Many grants and funding opportunities are supported by private foundations, charitable organizations, and other not-for-profit entities. Here is a list of common organizations that provide funding opportunities for researchers and scholars. 

Education-Focused Private and Not-for-Profit Funding Sources