Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations
Requests for Proposals
If you are interested in applying for any of these requests for proposals (RFPs), please review the guidelines below for submitting a proposal. Unless otherwise noted, any number of Rice faculty can apply to these RFPs at any given time. Be sure to also review funding opportunities listed under Research Tools listed on the Resources and Forms page.
Feel free to contact OCFR if you have questions about these or other opportunities.
Note: grant programs marked with * indicate a limited submission
Neurotrophic Factor Therapies Research
Funder: Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
Deadline: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Program Description: The funding will be awarded under a new Directed LEAPS (Linked Efforts to Accelerate Parkinson's Solutions) initiative. The funding program is designed to identify and drive ambitious projects with a clear plan for accelerating trophic factor therapy through the stages of preclinical and clinical development up to and including Phase Two clinical studies. Also of interest are therapeutic approaches that include evidence that the trophic factor being studied holds potential for neuroregeneration (helping the brain rejuvenate sick cells) and not merely neuroprotection (protecting existing neurons from death).
Eligibility: The program is open to both academic and industry researchers.
Funding: Applicants may seek up to three years of funding for projects focused on accelerating the development of neurotrophic factor therapies.
Application Process: The full Request for Applications is available at the Michael J. Fox Foundation website.
Funder: John Templeton Foundation
Deadline: Tuesday, December 1, 2009 (for letter of intent)
Program Description: The aim of this initiative, which is supported with funding from the John Templeton Foundation, is to stimulate scientific research on the practice of generosity in human life and society, particularly the sources, origins, and causes of generosity; the variety of manifestations and expressions of generosity; and the consequences of generosity for both the givers and receivers involved.
Eligibility: Applications are welcome from scholars and teams of scholars working in the fields of anthropology, behavioral economics, business and finance, communications, cultural studies, economics, education, family and developmental studies, geography, law, political science, psychology, social psychology, sociobiology, and sociology.
Funding: Grants of up to $150,000 will be awarded to up to fifteen projects lasting approximately twenty months.
Application Process: All proposals will be judged in two stages: letters of inquiry (LOIs) and invited full proposals. LOIs will be accepted for review and full proposal consideration through December 1, 2009, 5 p.m. Selection of LOIs for full proposal development will made in February 2010. Visit the Science of Generosity website for complete program guidelines.
NOVEMBER 2009
Funder: The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience
Deadline: Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Program Description: These awards encourage and support scientists working on the development of novel and creative approaches to understanding brain function. The Endowment Fund is especially interested in how technology may be used or adapted to monitor, manipulate, analyze, or model brain function at any level, from the molecular to the entire organism. The program seeks to advance and enlarge the range of technologies available to the neurosciences and does not support research based primarily on existing techniques. A goal of the technology awards is to also foster collaboration between the neurosciences and other disciplines; therefore, collaborative and cross-disciplinary applications are explicitly invited.
Eligibility: Investigators who are United States citizens or lawful permanent residents conducting research at institutions within the United States are invited to apply. Applicants must be in tenured or tenure-track faculty positions, and may not be employees of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute or scientists within the intramural program of the National Institutes of Health. Funds may be used toward a variety of research activities, but not the recipient's salary.
Funding: Up to three awards are made annually, each providing $100,000 (per year) for two years. Funding begins August 1, 2010.
Application Process: To apply, submit a two-page letter of intent, summarizing the project and describing how the technology involved will enrich the neurosciences and become accessible to other researchers in the field. Please include data if available. The selection committee will invite a few applicants to submit detailed proposals, which are due by May 1, 2010. Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of the creativity, the potential benefit of the new approach and the significance of the problems to be addressed. Please see the website for complete details.
Materials, Robotics, Automotive, etc.
Funder: Honda
Deadline: Wednesday, December 2, 2009 (for pre-proposal)
Program Description: Honda is pleased to announce the kickoff of the 2010 Honda Initiation Grant Program, an annual research funding program open to full-time faculty at accredited universities in the US and Canada.
Eligibility: Applications may be made by regularly appointed full-time faculty members at any academic institution that confers technical or scientific advanced degrees in the United States or Canada. Applications from researchers seeking to inaugurate new research areas are particularly encouraged. There is no limit to the number of proposals each university may submit to the program.
Funding: At least five $50,000 grants will be awarded in areas including materials, robotics, automotive and other. A short pre-proposal is required and due by December 2, 2009.
Application Process: See website for the grant program's details and requirements.
DECEMBER 2009
Funder: American Federation for Aging Research
Deadline: Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Program Description: The American Federation for Aging Research provides annual research grants to assist in the professional development of junior investigators committed to pursuing careers in the field of aging research. The awards support research projects concerned with understanding the basic mechanisms of aging. Projects investigating age-related diseases are also supported, especially if approached from the point of view of how basic aging processes may lead to these outcomes. Projects concerning mechanisms underlying common geriatric functional disorders are also encouraged, as long as these include connections to fundamental problems in the biology of aging.
Eligibility: Projects that deal strictly with clinical problems such as the diagnosis and treatment of disease, health outcomes, or the social context of aging are not eligible. The applicant must be an independent investigator with assigned independent space and must be within the first four years of a junior faculty appointment (instructor, assistant professor, or equivalent) by July 1, 2010.
Funding: Grants are for up to $75,000 over a one- to two-year period.
Application Process: Complete 2010 guidelines and application are available at the website.
DECEMBER 2009
Mid-Career Award in Aging Research
Funder: Ellison Medical Foundation and the American Federation for Aging Research
Deadline: Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Program Description: The Julie Martin Mid-Career Award in Aging Research provides support for outstanding mid-career scientists who propose novel directions of high importance to biological gerontology. Proposals in areas where NIH awards or other traditional funding sources are unlikely to be provided because the research is high risk are particularly encouraged if they have potential to lead to major new advances in the understanding of basic mechanisms of aging. Projects investigating age-related diseases are also supported, but only if approached from the point of view of how basic aging processes may lead to these outcomes.
Eligibility: Projects that deal strictly with clinical problems such as the diagnosis and treatment of disease, health outcomes, or the social context of aging are not eligible. The applicant must be an associate professor who achieved tenured status after December 1, 2006. Non-tenured associate professors at institutions with tenure are not eligible. Applicants at institutions that do not offer tenure must demonstrate that their appointment is equivalent to that of an associate professor who received tenure status after December 1, 2006. The proposed research must be conducted at any type of not-for-profit setting in the United States.
Funding: Two four-year awards of $500,000 each will be made in 2010 at the level of $125,000 per year. In addition, up to $50,000 may be requested for administrative/indirect costs.
Application Process: Please see the website for details on applying.
Funder: Glenn Foundation and American Federation for Aging Research
Deadline: Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Program Description: Sponsored by the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research, in collaboration with the American Federation for Aging Research, the "Breakthroughs in Gerontology" initiative is designed to provide timely support to a small number of pilot research programs that may be of relatively high risk but which offer significant promise of yielding transforming discoveries in the fundamental biology of aging. The hope is that one or more of the funded research projects will lead to major new insights into the molecular factors that coordinate aging in multiple cells and tissues and the ways in which the aging process is differentially timed in long-lived species.
Projects that focus on genetic controls of aging and longevity, on delay of aging by pharmacological agents or dietary means, or which elucidate the mechanisms by which alterations in hormones, anti-oxidant defenses, or repair processes that promote longevity are all within the intended scope of the competition. Projects that focus on specific diseases or assessment of health care strategies will receive lower priority, unless the research plan makes clear and direct connections to fundamental issues in the biology of aging. Studies of invertebrates, mice, human clinical materials, or cell lines are eligible for funding.
Eligibility: To be eligible, applicants must at the time they submit their proposal be full-time faculty members at the rank of assistant professor or higher. A strong record of independent publication beyond the postdoctoral level is a requirement. Applications from individuals not previously engaged in aging research are encouraged as long as the research proposals show high promise for leading to important new discoveries in biological gerontology.
Individuals who are employees in the NIH Intramural program are not eligible. The proposed research must be conducted at any type of not-for-profit setting in the United States.
Funding: Two two-year awards will be made in 2010 at the level of $200,000 total ($100,000 per year), of which up to 8 percent may be used for institutional overhead.
Application Process: Complete program guidelines are available at the website.
Funder: NARSAD
Deadline: Monday, January 25, 2010
Program Description: NARSAD's Young Investigator Award Program provides support for the most promising young scientists conducting neurobiological research. Fifteen Young Investigators are selected each year to present at NARSAD's annual Scientific Symposium in New York City. Young Investigators are also eligible to be selected for NARSAD's Freedman Award for Outstanding Basic Research and Klerman Award for Outstanding Clinical Research. Selection is based upon outstanding research as outlined in the final report of the NARSAD project.
Eligibility: Basic and/or clinical investigators are supported, but research must be relevant to serious psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, or child and adolescent psychiatric disorders.
Funding: One and two year awards up to $30,000 per year are provided to enable promising investigators to either extend research fellowship training or begin careers as independent research faculty.
Application Process: See the website for award guidelines and application requirements.
Digestive Health and Nutrition Research
Funder: American Gastroenterological Association Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition
Deadline: Friday, January 29, 2010
Program Description: The AGA Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition Research Scholar Awards are made to enable young investigators to develop independent and productive research careers in digestive diseases by ensuring that a major proportion of their time is protected for research.
Eligibility: Candidates must hold an M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent degree. Applicants must hold full-time faculty positions at North American universities or professional institutes at the time award begins. Applicants must also be members of the American Gastroenterological Association at the time of application.
Funding: The awards each provide $75,000 per year for three years (total $225,000) for young investigators working toward independent careers in gastroenterology, hepatology, or related areas.
Application Process: Complete program information and application form is available at the AGA Foundation website.
Human Protein Therapy Research
Funder: Octapharma
Deadline: Open, but review applications in April and October
Program Description: Octapharma, a plasma products manufacturer, is accepting applications for the Octapharma 25th Anniversary Grants Program. The program supports research that helps promote excellence in patient care and provides valuable information to the medical and patient community that may translate to better management of disease and improvement in patient safety and population health. The grant program will support selected clinical and pre-clinical research projects focusing on human protein therapies in one or more of the following therapeutics areas: immunotherapy, coagulation disorders, and intensive care and emergency medicine.
Eligibility: The program is only open to researchers based in the United States and is administered by Octapharma USA, the Swiss company's U.S. subsidiary.
Funding: Unspecified. Octapharma anticipates receiving a large number of grant requests. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of the grant request and the amount of funding awarded.
Application Process: Grant applications will be accepted online at the grants program Web site. The Octapharma Grants Committee will meet every six months, in October and April, to review all applications received. Visit the grants program website for complete program guidelines.
ROLLING DEADLINES
Funder: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Description: This grant database tracks deadlines for various grants related to medical and disease research.
Eligibility: Varies
Funding: Varies
Application Process: Please visit appropriate website for more details.
ROLLING DEADLINES
Changes in Health Care Financing and Organization
Foundation: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Deadline: Rolling
Description: This program supports policy analysis, research, evaluation and demonstration projects that provide policy leaders timely information on health care policy and financing issues. This Call for Proposals is intended to support projects that: 1) examine significant issues and interventions related to health care financing and organization and their effects on health care costs, quality and access; and 2) explore or test major new ways to finance and organize health care that have the potential to improve access to more affordable and higher quality health services.
Eligibility: Researchers, as well as practitioners and public and private policy-makers working with researchers, are eligible to apply. Projects may be initiated from within many disciplines, including health services research, economics, sociology, political science, public policy, public health, public administration, law and business administration. Multi-disciplinary teams and researchers who are just beginning their careers—perhaps teaming with a more senior researcher to develop the analytic approach—are especially encouraged to apply.
Funding: $100,000 or less for projects that last 12 months or less; more than $100,000 for projects that last more than 12 months, but no more than 3 years.
Application Process: Follow these instructions to submit an online application.
International Security and Foreign Policy
Foundation: Smith Richardson Foundation
Description: This program is designed to assist the U.S. policy community develop effective national security strategies and foreign policies. The Foundation is committed to supporting projects that help the policy community face the fundamental challenge of ensuring the security of the United States, protecting and advancing American interests and values abroad, and enhancing international order. Within the academic community, the Foundation supports policy-relevant strategic studies and underwrites historical research with clear implications or lessons for current policy. Visit the website for more details.
Funding: Varies; contact for advice
Application Process: The Smith Richardson Foundation has a rigorous proposal review process. The first step in the process is the submission of a concept paper. Concept papers should not exceed 5 pages. Please follow the Foundation's concept paper template when preparing a submission. If the staff determines that a project warrants further consideration under the Foundation’s guidelines, an applicant will be asked to submit a full proposal that conforms to a proposal template provided by the Foundation.
Domestic Public Policy
Foundation: Smith Richardson Foundation
Description: The Foundation supports projects that will help the public and policymakers understand and address critical challenges facing the U.S. An overarching goal of the Foundation's grantmaking is to support projects that help stimulate and inform important public policy debates. The Foundation supports research on and evaluation of existing public policies and programs, as well as projects that inject new ideas into public spheres.
The Foundation is interested in a wide range of topics. Education and school reform have been central to the Foundation's grantmaking in recent years. The Foundation has expanded on its interest in public finance issues by beginning to explore the future of the Medicare program and the larger challenge of coping with expected increases in the costs of federal entitlement programs.
The Foundation also provides support for projects that assess the impact of immigration on American society, examine the effectiveness of our regulatory policies, and explore the interaction between the policy making process and the political process through support for projects on congressional redistricting and the conduct and financing of political campaigns. The Foundation continues to support projects that inform the debate over policies designed to assist disadvantaged families.
Funding: Varies; contact OFR for advice
Application Process: The Smith Richardson Foundation has a rigorous proposal review process. The first step in the process is the submission of a concept paper. Concept papers should not exceed 5 pages. Please follow the Foundation's concept paper template when preparing a submission. If the staff determines that a project warrants further consideration under the Foundation’s guidelines, an applicant will be asked to submit a full proposal that conforms to a proposal template provided by the Foundation. Visit the website for more detailed information.
Energy (power, buildings, transportation, climate)
Foundation: The Energy Foundation
Description: The Energy Foundation is a partnership of major donors interested in solving the world's energy problems. The Foundation's mission is to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy — new technologies that are essential components of a clean energy future.
The foundation's geographic focus is on the United States and China, the largest and fastest growing energy markets in the world.
The foundation supports projects in the following areas:
Eligiblity: The foundation is unable to support local projects, unless they have been consciously designed for further replication or have broad regional or national implications. The foundation's geographic focus is the U.S. and China, with special emphasis on regional initiatives.
Funding: Varies; contact OFR for advice
Application Process: Because the foundation's funding priorities are specialized, it recommends that all applicants carefully review the program areas closely. If you are not sure whether your project fits the guidelines, the foundation encourages you to write a brief letter of inquiry describing the project, its purpose, and the amount you are requesting. They will notify you if a full proposal is warranted.
If you are confident that your project fits within the guidelines, they do not require a letter of inquiry. Please submit the application form, one copy of your proposal, and the supporting documents listed here.
Cancer Research
Foundation: Elsa U. Pardee Foundation
Description: The Foundation funds research directed toward identifying new treatments or cures for cancer. The Foundation particularly encourages grant applications for a one year period which will allow establishment of capabilities of new cancer researchers, or new cancer approaches by established cancer researchers. It is anticipated that this early stage funding by the Foundation may lead to subsequent and expanded support using government agency funding. Project relevance to cancer detection, treatment, or cure should be clearly identified.
Eligiblity: Applications requesting more than 25% overhead are usually not considered. Papers verifying nonprofit status and relevant human subject and experimental animal treatment approvals from the recipient institution will be requested prior to project initiation.
Funding: Varies; contact OFR for advice
Application Process: Visit the foundation's website for detailed instructions for an online submission.
Research/Publication in the Humanities and Social Sciences
Foundation: Earhart Foundation
Description: The foundation supports research (usually must lead to publication) and publication in the social sciences and humanities, such as economics, philosophy, international affairs, and government/politics.
Funding: Varies, but average grant is between $10,000 and $20,000 over 1 year.
Application Process: Proposals may be submitted at any time. Decisions can take up to 120 days. Application requirements include: 1) CV; 2) full description of the proposed research, 3-5 pages; 3) one page, single-spaced abstract; 4) intended end use or publication; 5) a budget and time schedule; 6) a list of 5 references and addresses (send your proposal to them, as well); and 7) a statement about applications elsewhere.
Faculty are encouraged to call the program officer to discuss your project idea before preparing a full application: Montgomery Brown, 734-761-8592.
Humanities
Foundation: Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation
Description: The Foundation intends to further the humanities along a broad front, supporting projects which address the concerns of the historical studia humanitatis: a humanistic education rooted in the great traditions of the past; the formation of human beings according to cultural, moral, and aesthetic ideals derived from that past; and the ongoing debate over how these ideals may best be conceived and realized.
Programs in the following areas are eligible: history; archaeology; literature; languages, both classical and modern; philosophy; ethics; comparative religion; the history, criticism, and theory of the arts; and those aspects of the social sciences which share the content and methods of humanistic disciplines. The Foundation welcomes projects that cross the boundaries between humanistic disciplines and explore the connection between the humanities and other areas of scholarship.
Funding: For first-time applications, we recommend requesting between $10,000 and $15,000. The Foundation does not fund indirect costs.
Application Process: Organizations seeking funding, within the scope of the program guidelines, should send a letter of inquiry to the Foundation. There are no application deadlines for these programs; inquiries are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Marketing Research
Foundation: Marketing Science Institute
Funding: Most MSI grants are made to cover researchers’ out-of-pocket costs for data collection, respondent fees, research assistants, and similar expenses. Generally, these grants are in the $5,000 to $20,000 range. Regardless of the level of support requested, the primary criterion for accepting proposals is quality. Note that MSI does not provide salary replacement for the principal researcher(s), funds for the purchase of equipment or software, university overhead, tuition, or funds for travel to non-MSI conferences.
Program Description: MSI funds high-quality research that deals with topics of importance to member companies. Results of MSI-supported studies appear first as MSI working papers and/or as conference presentations, and subsequently as articles in refereed journals, scholarly monographs, or books. MSI supports research with the potential for application by managers as well as more basic or exploratory work. No one approach or methodology is favored over another as long as the form is appropriate to the objectives of the research. Studies may be conceptual or empirical and may involve literature reviews, comparative studies, field or laboratory experiments, model building, or theory development. We encourage cross-disciplinary work building on theories, research results, and methods from disciplines of relevance to marketing. MSI and its member companies strongly endorse using actual consumers, customers, and executives rather than student subjects in research projects. Central to MSI’s research program is the belief that academics and practitioners can mutually benefit from interacting throughout the process of planning, conducting, and reporting research. Research proposals and reports may undergo review by representatives from corporate sponsors as well as academic experts, and some projects receive business cooperation. When projects are completed, researchers often present their results at MSI meetings, where they can discuss their work with MSI member company executives and other academics.
Application Process: MSI accepts both proposals and pre-proposals. If there is any question about whether a project fits the MSI priorities, or about the researchability of the topic, a pre-proposal should be the first step in applying for MSI support. In such cases, researchers are also encouraged to contact MSI’s Research Director, for clarification. The pre-proposal itself is a letter that outlines the topics to be studied and the researchers’ preliminary research questions and approach. It is intended to elicit MSI’s reaction to the topic and research concept before the researcher invests substantial time in writing a full proposal. Nevertheless, the more complete the thinking in the pre-proposal, the more likely it is to receive encouragement and constructive comments. Visit the website for full instructions.
Humanities and Social Sciences
Humanities and Social Sciences Online: Funding Opportunities (searchable list of opportunities)
Rapid Response Innovation Awards 2009 (Parkinson's Disease)
Funder: Michael J. Fox Foundation
Deadline: Rolling, varies
Description: The Michael J. Fox Foundation has announced the availability of total funding of up to $11 million in 2009 for research toward transformative treatments and a cure for Parkinson's disease. There are a total of five Pipeline Programs, including three annually recurring initiatives known collectively as the Edmond J. Safra Core Programs for PD Research, Novel Approaches to Drug Discovery for PD, and the industry-exclusive Therapeutics Development Initiative.
Eligibility: Funding is open to academic and industry researchers through the foundation's Pipeline Programs, five separate initiatives designed to advance research at every stage of the PD drug development pipeline. This includes early-stage discovery research, translational studies, and proof-of-principle/first- in-human clinical trials.
Funding: Varies
Application Process: Pre-proposals (required for all programs except Rapid Response Innovation Awards) will be reviewed by the foundation's scientific staff and a panel of scientific experts. Applicants whose pre-proposals meet the review criteria will be invited to submit full proposals. For each program, a conference call with MJFF Research Programs staff to further clarify the aims and goals will be held in advance of the application deadline. Additional research funds for the coming year will be announced at later dates under the foundation's 2009 Critical Challenges initiatives for programs that provide funding for top MJFF research priorities and areas of particular emphasis. To learn more about MJFF programs and complete program guidelines and deadlines, visit the foundation website's redesigned Funding Opportunities page.
Funder: The Kresge Foundation
Description: The Kresge Foundation has announced two new comprehensive grant-making programs: the Health Program and the Environment Program. Historically, the foundation has worked in six fields of interest: health, the environment, arts and culture, education, human services, and community development. With the announcement of these two new programs in health and the environment, the foundation is expanding its commitment and narrowing its focus in each field for maximum long-term impact in its strategic areas of interest. Both the Health and Environment Programs address health and environment-related social issues, particularly those affecting minority, low-income, and other underserved communities. The Environment Program seeks to have tangible effects on the practices and policies associated with climate change and environmental sustainability. The programs are in the development stage; program teams will be refining their grantmaking focus and strategy over the next year.
Eligibility: For both programs, applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or government entities that have financial statements prepared and certified by a certified public accountant in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or Government Accounting Standards. Private foundations, individuals, and elementary and secondary schools are ineligible and may not apply.
Application Process: To learn more about each program, their goals, eligibility criteria, and processes for submission of project ideas, please visit the website.
Funder: StEPP Foundation
Description: The purpose of this program is to increase the number of renewable-energy, energy-efficiency, and pollution-prevention projects that are implemented throughout the world for the benefit of the public.
Eligibility: Academic institutions are eligible.
Funding: Projects must meet a minimum funding requirement of $25,000. Project periods usually last between one and three years.
Application Process: Project ideas are accepted on a rolling basis and must be submitted online. If selected, the applicant will then be requested to submit a full proposal.
Funder: James S. McDonnell Foundation
Program Description: The Foundation offers Collaborative Activity Awards to initiate interdisciplinary discussions on problems or issues, to help launch interdisciplinary research networks, or to fund communities of researchers/practitioners dedicated to developing new methods, tools, and applications of basic research to applied problems. In each case the focus of the collaborative activity must meet the program guidelines for one of the following program areas: studying complex systems, brain cancer research, and understanding human cognition.
Eligibility: Strong preference will be given to applications involving multi-institutional collaboration. The lead applicant must be sponsored by a non-profit institution as defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
Funding: Proposal budgets should be consistent with the Foundation’s objective of supporting the direct costs of carrying out the proposed research project only. Requested funds should be used for research expenses above and beyond the operating costs of colleges, universities, and research institutes.
Application Process: Rather than submit full proposals, applicants for Collaborative Activity Awards should submit a letter of inquiry. Letters of inquiry can be submitted at any time during the year, and must be submitted electronically to: collaborative@jsmf.org. There are no application deadlines for these grants. Applicants can expect an initial response to their letters within 2-3 weeks of receipt. Please see the website for details.
Funder: Varies
Program Description: As a Universities Space Research Association member institution, Rice is eligible to participate in a USRA Research Opportunities Program. By signing up for notification, the USRA will facilitate communication between member universities on research opportunities. As part of the program, USRA will send periodic e-mail messages on opportunities for funding and potential ideas for collaboration in such areas as aeronautics, astronomy, biotechnology, earth science, computer science, robotics and more. It will also provide research opportunities for faculty and graduate students. To sign up, please visit the website.
Eligibility: Varies
Funding: Varies
Application Process: Sign up for notification of funding opportunities on the USRA website.
Funder: Whitehall Foundation
Program Description: The Whitehall Foundation, through its program of grants and grants-in-aid, assists scholarly research in the life sciences. It is the Foundation's policy to assist those dynamic areas of basic biological research that are not heavily supported by Federal Agencies or other foundations with specialized missions. In order to respond to the changing environment, the Whitehall Foundation periodically reassesses the need for financial support by the various fields of biological research. The Foundation is currently interested in basic research in neurobiology, defined as follows: Invertebrate and vertebrate (excluding clinical) neurobiology, specifically investigations of neural mechanisms involved in sensory, motor, and other complex functions of the whole organism as these relate to behavior. The overall goal should be to better understand behavioral output or brain mechanisms of behavior.
Eligibility: The Foundation emphasizes the support of young scientists at the beginning of their careers and productive senior scientists who wish to move into new fields of interest. Consideration is given, however, to applicants of all ages. The chief criteria for support are the quality and creativity of the research as well as the commitment of the Principal Investigator (a minimum time allocation of 20% is required). The principal investigator must hold no less than the position of assistant professor, or the equivalent, in order to participate in the application process. The applicant need not be in a tenure track position but must be an independent researcher and have Principal Investigator status at his/her institution. The Foundation does not award funds to investigators who have substantial existing or potential support, even if it is for an unrelated purpose. Applications may be held in abeyance until the results of other funding decisions are determined. While it is difficult to assign a specific dollar amount to this policy and each case is unique, the Foundation currently defines "substantial" as approximately $200,000 per year (including both direct and indirect expense but excluding the Principal Investigator's salary).
Funding: Research grants normally range from $30,000 to $75,000 per year.
Application Process: The first step in the proposal process is the submission of a letter of inquiry. The details for submission are available on the website. Letters of inquiry are accepted in summer, fall, and spring sessions, with exact dates listed here. On the basis of this letter, the Whitehall Foundation's scientific advisory staff will determine whether or not the proposed research project will continue to the application process.
Financial and Investment Education
Funder: The FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) Investor Education Foundation
Program Description: The foundation invites nonprofit groups and researchers to apply for funding for projects that support its mission of providing Americans with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary for financial success. The foundation is interested in funding projects that reach and actively engage at-risk audiences such as seniors and first-time investors by offering them access to unbiased information about the markets and fundamental financial issues. Of particular interest to the foundation in 2009 are projects that focus on using behavioral finance to improve saving and investing, meeting the financial and investor education needs of underserved audiences, new marketing and distribution channels for financial and investor education, and helping Americans manage their finances in retirement.
Funding: The foundation has set no minimum or maximum for the number of grants to be funded or for the amounts of the grant awards.
Application Process: Before submitting a full grant proposal, applicants must submit a simple three-page project concept form. Eligible applicants whose projects closely align with the foundation's priorities will be invited to submit a full grant proposal. Project concept forms will be accepted at any time during the calendar year. However, submission deadlines correspond to the announcement of grant awards in June and October of 2009. For details about grant programs and other FINRA Foundation initiatives, visit the foundation's website.