Funding Opportunities

Explore funding opportunities for research, education, and other university initiatives through federal agencies, state and local organizations, and private foundations. The resources below include funding search tools, agency information, and guidance on Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to support proposal development.

Funding Search Resources

Use the following tools to search for funding opportunities, research potential funders, and stay informed about upcoming grant deadlines.

Grants.gov
Grants Resource Center
Candid.

Grants.gov is the main portal for finding and applying for federal grants across all U.S. agencies. Create an account to search, save, and track applications, and set up email alerts based on your interests.

Need help?

Grants.gov offers quick step-by-step video tutorials on registering, applying, and using other key features of the system.

Murray State University faculty and staff have access to the Grants Resource Center (GRC) through the university's membership with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).

Available resources include:

- GrantSearch & Funding Alerts: Search federal and private funding opportunities and receive personalized notifications based on your interests.
- Proposal Development & Training: Access funded proposal examples, grant development resources, and educational webinars.
- News & Updates: Stay informed about funding opportunities, agency policies, and upcoming deadlines through GRC newsletters

Getting Started

Create a free individual account using your MSU email address to access GRC resources. Follow the GRC Account Creation Instructions for step-by-step guidance.

Murray State University maintains a subscription to Candid, a research platform that helps faculty and staff identify private foundation funding opportunities and research potential grantmakers.

Available resources include:

Foundation Research: Search for foundations and other grantmakers based on funding interests, subject areas, and geographic location.
Grantmaking History: Explore previously awarded grants, recipients, and funding amounts.
Funding Prospects: Identify potential funders whose priorities align with your research or project.

Funding Agencies & Organizations

Explore federal, state, local, and private funding sources that support research, education, and other university initiatives.

Federal Funding

Many agencies offer their own funding databases and specialized programs:

- - NIH – National Institutes of Health
  - NSF – National Science Foundation
  - U.S. Department of Agriculture
  - U.S. Department of Education
  - National Endowment for the Humanities
  - U.S. Department of Justice
  - Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)
  - Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality - (Department of Health and Human Services)

State Funding

State agencies offer grants that support research, education, innovation, and public service throughout Kentucky.

These are some of the most commonly used state-level resources, but more may be available depending on your discipline.

Local Funding

Local foundations and organizations support community-based research, education, and service initiatives across the region.

- - Community Foundation of West Kentucky - Grants supporting education, health, and nonprofit programs in western Kentucky.
  - Local civic groups and services clubs may offer small-scale or project-specific support (Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions Club, etc).

Private Foundations and Organizations

Private funding comes from foundations and corporate sponsors that support research, education, the arts, and community initiatives.

The examples below are just a few of the many private funding sources available to faculty and staff.

Foundations

- - Alfred P. Sloan Foundation - STEM based research
  - Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation - chemistry, chemical engineering, related sciences
  - Charles E. Kaufman Foundation - biology, chemistry and physics
  - Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation - humanities
  - Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation - health professionals
  - Russel Sage Foundation - social sciences
  - Spencer Foundation - education
  - Wenner-Gren Foundation - anthropology
  - Whitehall Foundation - neurobiology

Organizations

- - American Council of Learned Societies - humanities and related social sciences
  - American Historical Association - history
  - American Philosophical Society - all fields of knowledge
  - Research Corporation for Science Advancement - physical sciences
  - Social Science Research Council - social sciences

Understanding Funding Announcements

A Request for Proposal (RFP) outlines a funding opportunity's requirements, deadlines, and evaluation criteria. These announcements may also be called Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) or Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs).

What to Look For

» Eligibility | Confirm that you and the university meet all eligibility requirements.

» Due Date | Check the sponsor's deadline and allow sufficient time for proposal development. MSU requires the Proposal Routing Form (PRF) to be submitted at least 20 business days before the sponsor's deadline for internal review and routing.

» Funding Amount | Ensure the available funding and allowable expenses meet your project's needs.

» Agency Mission & Goals | Make sure your project aligns with the funder's priorities and objectives.

» Review Criteria | Use the evaluation criteria to guide your proposal and address all required components.

Ready to Apply?

Once you've identified a suitable funding opportunity, visit our Proposal Development page for guidance on preparing your proposal.

Funding Opportunities