External Funding

Find Funding

The two best resources for finding external sponsors include:

  1. Contact our office. We subscribe to various list servs and receive notifications from agencies about upcoming funding programs.
  2. Coming Soon – We’re excited to introduce as the new funding opportunities search platform. An AI-powered platform, Atom Grants matches researchers with relevant funding opportunities based on faculty research interests and expertise. Watch for the official launch and upcoming training sessions this fall to learn how Atom Grants can support your research and grant-seeking efforts.

Evaluating Funding Opportunities

Once a potential funding agency and/or program has been identified, ORGS staff will help you review program guidelines and proposal application materials. Before starting the proposal writing process, you need to determine if the opportunity fits your needs, if the proposal can be completed by the deadline, and if ĢƵ is an eligible applicant.

ORGS staff will assist you in determining what required proposal information is already available, what documents/forms ORGS can complete, and which proposal items are developed by the PI/PD.

Evaluating opportunities

To determine if a funding agency announcement is appropriate for your project, consider the following
areas:

  • Applicant eligibility requirements (ĢƵ is an institution of higher education, a state agency, and a non-profit but not a 501 c3)
  • Agency funding priorities and geographic limitations
  • Timeline for the project
  • Allowable expenditures and average award
  • Cost-sharing or matching requirements
  • Type and extent of reporting requirements
  • Possibilities for subsequent funding

Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Applications (RFAs) and Program Announcements (PAs) are solicited proposals that normally include representations and certifications to be completed and executed by the University and may include contract terms and conditions.

For opportunities that require submission by a 501 (c)3, contact the Office of Development which can submit applications on behalf of the ĢƵ Foundation.

Federal Grant Resources

Many grant-related subscription listservs are open to anyone. offers a listing of opportunities by federal agency. In addition, most federal agencies post grant information and grant guidelines on their individual websites.

Some of the federal sponsors ĢƵ receives funding from most frequently are listed in the next section.

Seek federal funding

  • – searchable databases of most federal funding announcements
  • (ED) and ED Application, Management, & Closeout
  • (DHHS)
  • , Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
  • (NPS)
  • (EPA)
  • (USFS)
  • (GLNFCESU) - facilitates grant applications to federal agencies for member institutions with a reduced IDC rate of 17.5% MTDC.
  • (GCCESU) - facilitates grant applications to federal agencies for member institutions with a reduced IDC rate of 17.5% MTDC.
  • (IMLS)
  • (NEA)
  • (NEH)
  • (NIFA)
  • (NIH) and the NIH Grants Policy Statement:
  • (NSF) and , (PAPPG – most recent 10.4.2021)

State Grant Resources

Many state agencies post grant information and grant guidelines on their websites, and some offer listservs for grant notifications. The website, , allows you to search many state agency funding announcements.

Some of the state sponsors ĢƵ receives funding from most frequently are listed in the next section.

Seek state funding

  • – search many state agency funding announcements
  • Under “Eligibility Category” select option 4a – Higher Education-Public
  • (TCA)
  • (TCEQ)
  • Texas Comptroller
    • - funds research on species that are petitioned or listed under the federal Endangered Species Act
  • (TXDOT)
  • (TEA)
  • (THECB)
  • (THC)
  • (TPWD)
  • (TSLAC)

Private Grant Resources

If you seek cash gifts designated for any type of research, unrestricted cash gifts, or donations of equipment and other non-cash items used in research, contact the Office of Development.

If you seek private grant funding from individuals, foundations, and/or corporations, contact ORGS for assistance. Note that some foundations limit the number of applications that can be submitted from an institution, so coordination is essential. Also, some proposals are best submitted by the ĢƵ Foundation rather than the University. ORGS will work with the Office of Development to make that determination.

For help finding potential sources of private grants, contact:

Office of Development/ĢƵ Foundation
936.468.5406
Development Staff