Volume 15, Number 12: June 12, 2009
FUNDING TIPS
Scheduling GrantSource Library Training on Identifying Funding Opportunities
The GrantSource Library offers customized group training sessions on identifying potential funding sources for research, training, and other scholarly endeavors. These workshops are especially useful for new investigators, postdoctoral scholars, research administrators, and others unfamiliar with the process of finding funding.
Because of the many recent changes in COS , InfoEd SPIN, and other funding information sources, now is an especially good time to plan a workshop for your research team or departmental staff. The following are some new features and services that are covered in the library's presentations:
- The COS Record Track feature which enables you to save and track changes in funding opportunities that are important to you.
- InfoEd's SMARTS funding alert service, which provides an efficient way for junior faculty and postdoctoral scholars to identify funding specifically targeted to researchers like them.
- The Foundation Center Platinum Online, which offers a wealth of information about foundations that is not available through COS or SPIN.
As you are planning your department's fall faculty retreats or new staff orientations, we invite you to contact one of the GrantSource librarians (962-3463) to discuss your training needs and schedule a presentation for your group. We will work with you to plan a session customized for your unit's needs and research areas.
Finding New Sources of Funding
During tough economic times, it is important to look beyond federal funders to private and lesser-known funding sources. In the April 1, 2009 issue of The Scientist, Carol Milano's article "Finding New Money" provided advice for investigators seeking to expand and diversify their revenue streams. Here are some of her tips:
- Experiment with different keywords to find the best search results.
- Search by state.
- Apply outside the box.
- Sign up for customized funding alerts whenever possible.
- Don't let the shriveled economy deter you.
- If you're small, join forces.
- Customize your applications.
- Check for smooth writing.
- Call sponsors before you apply.
- Get free advice from the program officer.
- Use your university resources.
Milano also discusses various grants aggregators (funding databases) that can be extremely useful in your funding search. These databases are available to you at Carolina through the GrantSource Library website.
In addition, one of the GrantSource librarians will assist you in setting up customized funding alerts and using the many funding information tools at your disposal. Contact the GrantSource Library (962-3463) to schedule a consultation.
READ MORE (registration required)
Funding for Education Month at the Foundation Center
This June the Foundation Center is hosting its annual Focus on Funding for Education. This series of free events is designed to help educators become more effective grantseekers, find new funding prospects, and build a firm foundation of financial support.
Events include an excellent series of online webinars on topics such as:
- Researching Education Funders with Foundation Directory Online
- Foundation Funding Trends in Higher Education
- Find and Apply for Government Grants Using Grants.gov: A Webinar for Organizations Focused on Education
To view a complete list of webinar topics and to register, click here.
Other Focus on Funding for Education features and reports include:
- Top 50 Foundations Awarding Grants to Higher Education (pdf)
- Top 50 U.S. Foundations Awarding Grants for Graduate and Professional Education (pdf)
- Educational Philanthropy topic resource list
Proposal Writing Webinars from the Foundation Center
The Foundation Center offers short web-based training webinars on a variety of topics related to proposal development and writing. These include basic courses for people new to the grantseeking process as well as advanced grantseekers. The summer webinar schedule includes the following:
- Grantseeking Basics
- Proposal Writing Basics
- Proposal Budgeting Basics
- Introduction to Corporate Giving
- How to Approach a Foundation
Recordings of the workshops are also available afterwards online.
To view the webinar calendar and to register, click here.
Finding Foundation and Corporate Givers with the Foundation Directory
The GrantSource Library subscribes to the Foundation Directory Platinum Online, available for use in the library only. Updated weekly, this directory provides comprehensive data on U.S. foundations, corporate giving programs, and grantmaking public charities, as well as an extensive database of grants awarded. As a user, you can also benefit from:
- 98,000 detailed funder profiles
- 1.6 million recently awarded grants
- More than 400,000 fully indexed trustee, officer, and donor names
- Program details and application guidelines for leading foundations
- Sponsor companies information for corporate funders
- 53 search fields
- Quick-links to free web resources on searching
- Direct links to foundation websites and IRS Form 990 returns
- Search tutorials with step-by-step instructions
Click here to learn more. Contact the GrantSource Library (962-3463) to schedule a training consultation or to use the Foundation Directory Platinum Online.
CIES Webinars: Fulbright Scholar Program Opportunities
This summer the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) will host weekly, free webinars on Fulbright Scholar Program opportunities for faculty, academics, and professionals. Designed to help applicants prepare for the August 1 deadline, the webinars cover these topics:
- Explore the World of Fulbright: An Introduction to the Fulbright Scholar Program
- Fulbright Opportunities for Liberal Arts and Community College Applicants
- Crafting Your Project Statement
- Fulbright Opportunities in Language and the Arts
- Language and References
- Reviewing Your Application Package
For details about the webinars and to register, click here.
Administered by CIES, the Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. It is designed to "increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries." Upcoming Fulbright Scholar and other complementary program competitions include:
- Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program
- Fulbright-Hays Program
- Fulbright Specialists Program
- Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program
- Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (SIR) Program
- Fulbright Visiting Specialists Program: Direct Access to the Muslim World
- Fulbright New Century Scholars Global Program
Beth-Ann Kutchma is the university's Center for Global Initiatives contact person for more information about the Fulbright Scholar program.
SBIR/STTR Budget Basics for Entrepreneurs
In an April 2009 article titled "The Grant Proposal Budget: Seven Things to Remember" in the SBIR/STTR News, Lea Strickland of F.O.C.U.S. Resources provides advice for faculty entrepreneurs on preparing budgets for SBIR/STTR proposals. Her tips include:
- Understand the context of the budget, both proposed and awarded.
- Not all costs will be allowed, and only a “fair share” of others.
- You may have only one project, but that doesn't mean it gets 100 percent of the costs.
- Make the effort to calculate your actual or projected indirect rates.
- Accepting the maximum indirect rate without negotiation acts as a ceiling rate for most agencies.
- Understand the direct costs related to people.
- You live with and comply with what you propose.