Volume 14, Number 5: November 7, 2007
FUNDING TIPS
How to Approach Funders Who Make Awards "By Invitation Only"
When searching foundations for possible funding prospects, you might find some guidelines that specify that grantmaking is "by invitation only" or available to "pre-selected organizations only". If you believe that your project closely matches the foundation's mission, or if you have a good relationship with the foundation, there is nothing wrong with asking how one gets invited. Send the foundation an inquiry letter or make a quick phone call. After review, the foundation may invite you to send a full proposal.
Using Your COS Profile to Publicize Your Research
As a faculty member or postdoctoral scholar, you probably have a profile in Carolina's COS Faculty Expertise Database. Others can view your profile directly, using a simple URL such as http://myprofile.cos.com/yourcosusername. To see an example, click here. The link is constant and accessible to anyone on the Web, not just to COS subscribers.
We encourage you to update your profile and then to include your "MyProfile" URL in e-mail signatures, on web sites or letterhead, and any other place that others who might be interested in your research might see it. To see an example of how William Maixner uses his profile to add his online C.V. to the end of an Endeavors magazine article, click here.
For assistance in updating or setting up a profile in the COS Expertise Database or if you have forgotten your COS login information, contact the GrantSource Library or click here for instructions.
Carnegie Consolidates Grantmaking Programs
The Carnegie Corporation of New York has consolidated its grantmaking into two categories focusing on international and domestic issues, eliminating some programs and refocusing others.
The foundation's new international program focuses on reducing threats to international peace and security and boosting development in sub-Saharan Africa and Eurasia. The program will launch a new effort to raise awareness about diversity within the Islamic world.
The new domestic program will focus on reenergizing democracy in the United States by funding new pathways both to economic and educational opportunity and to civic participation and engagement. The domestic program will also help immigrants acclimate to U.S. culture while boosting U.S. citizens' tolerance of newcomers. Carnegie plans to refocus its efforts in adolescent literacy, as well.
Carnegie will close some long-standing programmatic investments (nonproliferation of bioweapons, higher education in Russia, and campaign finance reform), having accomplished much of the programs' original agendas.
Funding Information in the Arts
As part of its Funding for Arts Month (October 2007), the Foundation Center has updated its online funding guides for artists, filmmakers, writers, and musicians.
Other electronic resources for artists and writers seeking funding include:
- New York Foundation for the Arts's NYFA Source, a national database of awards, services, and publications for artists of all disciplines (registration required).
- Arts Funding Watch, the Foundation Center's newsletter devoted entirely to the arts, including funding for organizations and individuals (registration required).
- Foundation Directory Online, a directory of private foundations and corporate grantmakers in the United States (available for use in the GrantSource Library only).
- COS and InfoEd SPIN, multidisciplinary funding databases which includes opportunities from many different sponsors.
For assistance in identifying funding opportunities in the arts, please contact the GrantSource Library at 919-962-3463 to schedule a consultation or visit the library in 307 Bynum Hall.
New Grants for Eating Disorders Research
The Klarman Family Foundation has launched a new grants program in eating disorders research. The program's goal is to expand the number of outstanding scientists whose research explores the basic biology of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and/or binge eating disorder. Two-year $400,000 awards in these and related disciplines are available for U.S. faculty regardless of seniority. Eligibility is not limited to those investigators currently working in eating disorders research.
READ MORE (pdf)
Funding for Travel and Conferences
Are you making plans for travel to professional and society conferences next spring or summer? To identify potential funding sources for those activities, you can use the COS Funding Opportunities database to look for funding types such as "Meeting or Conference or Seminar" and "Travel." Search just by funding type, or combine that search with other parameters such as keyword or amount. COS includes funding opportunities for researchers in all disciplines.
For assistance in identifying travel, conference, or other types of support, contact the GrantSource Library at 919-962-3463 or visit the library's website.