Find Funding

How to Find Funding 

You may use a variety of strategies to identify external grant funding.  This page provides information on funding databases. 

If you are interested to pursue fellowships, be sure to check the Faculty Fellowship Support page.

Another way to grow your skills in the area of grants is to serve as a reviewer for grants submitted by other investigators.  See How to Become a Peer Reviewer for more information.

Databases 

SPIN Funding Database 

For a comprehensive funding search using key words or other search terms, Saint Mary’s has a subscription to the SPIN funding database:

• To log in, go to SPIN. You may access SPIN directly from any computer on campus. 
• If you are off-site, set up a SPIN account with your @stmarys-ca.edu email address.  Select Saint Mary’s as your institution.
• The system will send a prompt to the Saint Mary’s administrator, and they will authenticate your account. Then you can search from anywhere. For a start-up guide to using SPIN, click here.
• Accounts will only be authenticated that are made using a Saint Mary's email address.

Grants.gov

• Free access to federal opportunities:  Search | Simpler.Grants.gov
• A big database but can help you clarify your search
• Information on open or past competitions; identifying your ideal agencies

California Grants Portal

• Free access: California Grants Portal
• State grants for projects that have direct impact on Californians

Agencies that award grant funding for research and programs include:

National Science Foundation (NSF)

• Main site: https://www.nsf.gov/ 
• Find funding: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities

National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) • 

• Main site: https: //www.neh.gov/
• Find funding: https://www.neh.gov/grants 

National Institutes of Health (NIH) 

• Main site: https://www.nih.gov/ 
• Find funding: https://grants.nih.gov/funding/index.htm

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 

• Main site: https://www.nasa.gov/ 
• Find funding: https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/ 

U.S. Department of Education (ED) 

• Main site: https://www.ed.gov/ 
• Find funding: https://ies.ed.gov/funding/ 

Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) 

• Main site: https://www.imls.gov/ 
• Find funding: https://www.imls.gov/grants/apply-grant/available-grants

Other Ways to Identify Funding for Your Project

Beyond databases and agency portals, some of the best funding leads come from personal connections and targeted searching.

Networking
  • Ask your colleagues who funds them
  • Use your professional association
  • Look for sub-award opportunities

Fellowships and sabbatical funding
For a curated list of fellowship opportunities specifically for SMC faculty, see Fellowships and Sabbatical Support.