New medical, scientific and humanitarian modalities and inventions are discovered on a regular basis thanks to research grants. Federal research grants to cure illness and disease, explore space and build affordable and sustainable housing are all funded by government research grants. Scientists, humanitarians and medical professionals all start their quest at the same place, by doing grant research.
Government research grants are offered by the various agencies which in concert make up the body of federal research grants. Known as sub-entities of the federal government, agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense, to name but a few. When doing grant research, don’t forget about private funding opportunities which may be available as well, usually available to researchers for specific diseases such as cancer and muscular dystrophy.
Federal research grants are listed as either restricted or unrestricted. Usually research grants designed as sub-awards to smaller governmental agencies, universities and are handed down to local communities are classified as restricted. Many of the government research grants are classified as unrestricted, and as such any registered and qualified 501-C-3 nonprofit organization, business, or individual may apply. One such federal
research grant opportunity is formerly known as the New Investigator Research Grant Program. This federal research grants opportunity funds individual investigators who are less than 10 years past their doctoral degree. As always, your grant research for government research grants should start at the federal government web portal, Grants.Gov. By clicking the ‘basic search’ tab, you can locate federal research grants by keyword, funding opportunity number or by agency. When doing grant research for
private funding sources such as dedicated foundations, a completely different approach is required.
Private foundations which offer research grants are usually dedicated to fighting illness and finding new ways to either treat or cure disease. Unlike federal research grants, the application process does not require that the applying organization or agency hold specific accreditations or educational levels. Conversely, most private funding opportunities are not available to individuals or communities, as are government research grants. Some of the more prolific and well-funded private foundations offering grants for research into disease and life-betterment modalities are:
- The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The AFA Network offers privately funded research grants to qualified medical centers, physicians and researchers in a consternated effort to treat and cure Alzheimer’s disease.
- The Muscular Dystrophy Association, or MDA, supports research aimed at developing treatments for the muscular dystrophies and related diseases of the neuromuscular system.
- The Avon Foundation supports breast cancer research grants and access to care, as well as addressing domestic and gender violence.
- The Prevent Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit health foundation whose mission is
cancer prevention and early detection through research, education and community outreach to all populations, including children and the underserved.
Thanks to both private foundation and government research grants new medical, scientific and humanitarian modalities and advances are discovered on a regular basis. When looking for federally funded government research grants opportunities, your search begins at the federal government Internet portal Grants.Gov.
