Having developed a well-articulated research question, the next step is to begin identifying appropriate funding sources. Sponsored projects fall within several general functional categories. Examples of those categories are: research, training, curriculum development, public services, fellowships, art exhibitions and equipment awards. Sponsors of those activities include the federal government, state and local governments, foundations, international organizations, research institutes and corporations. The successful funding of a project will be determined by how well the researcher matches the project's scope with a sponsor's mission and interests.
There are several starting points possible for initially identifying potential funding sources. Included as an appendix to this manual is a listing of specific currently available sources for identifying potential sponsors. An overview of those sources includes:
OFFICE OF Sponsored Projects WEB SITE: The OSP has recently developed a web site to facilitate sponsored research efforts of the Dartmouth community. The web-site is intended to provide a quick and direct Internet link to the most useful funding sources. Among sources researchers should check are:
COMMUNITY OF SCIENCE(COS)
The COS web site provides a quick reference point for Expertise, Inventions & Facilities, Federally-Funded Research in the United States, the Commerce Business Daily and the Federal Register.
ACADEMIC RESEARCH INFORMATION SYSTEM (ARIS)
This site provides up-to-date information on federal and private sources of grants, fellowships, scholarships, contracts and awards. ARIS publishes three reports covering the areas of creative arts and humanities, social and natural sciences, and biomedical sciences. The reports are issued every six weeks to provide current information on funding opportunities and upcoming deadlines.
Biomedical Sciences Funding Information
Social and Natural Sciences Funding Information
Creative Arts and Humanities Funding Information
RESEARCH FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND ADMINISTRATION (TRAM)
This site contains searchable research funding sources available in one location. The funding information is updated daily. TRAM also contains a set of grant application forms collected from various sources, as well as links to other servers related to research funding and administration.
The Foundation Center is an independent nonprofit information clearinghouse established in 1956. The Center's mission is to foster public understanding of the foundation field by collecting, organizing, analyzing, and disseminating information on foundations, corporate giving, and related subjects. The audiences that call on the Center's resources include grant seekers, grant makers, researchers, policy makers, the media, and the general public.
This site contains information about federal grant opportunities for educational and research communities.
This site offers a guide to each week's Chronicle, events, deadlines, Congressional hearings important to higher education, a list of best-selling books, information from selected advertisers, and the complete job listings.
Office of Sponsored Projects Resources Center : With the OSP move to Billings-Lee space has been provided for an expanded resources area. Included in the resources area are reference materials on proposal development, a variety of funding resource tools, current program announcements and other information on funding opportunities to assist faculty in identifying possible external sources of funds.
Dartmouth College Information System (DCIS): Dartmouth College supports the DCIS as a means of providing comprehensive access to a wide range of information sources. Access to information includes materials available through the Dartmouth College Library system, databases currently maintained in the Dartmouth College system, and navigational access to a host of databases outside the purview of Dartmouth College .
Dartmouth College Library System: A number of paper directories and indexes are currently available in the Dartmouth College Library system. Description, location, and availability of library resources may be found through theDCIS Online Library
Additional Internet Sites: Researchers should be aware that agency specific information provided electronically can change daily. When seeking funding information on the Internet, timely searching is recommended.
In targeting potential sponsors, the researcher must match the characteristics of their proposal with the guidelines and interests of each sponsor. Carefully read each sponsor's requirements, funding interests, and submission guidelines. It is also recommended that one look at past projects funded by specific sponsors. Reviewing successfully funded proposals provides a realistic portrait of a sponsor's interests. Taking the time to identify the best potential funding sources for a particular research project will increase the likelihood of funding success. Key matching points include:
