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July 2025

Research Funding Opportunities Bulletin 

A Monthly Digest of Funding Opportunities to Fuel your Research

 

Prioritizing Funder Engagement at Conferences

Building relationships with potential funders before you submit a proposal significantly increases your chances of securing support. Recent data from a grant consulting firm powerfully demonstrates this: 54% of applications with an existing funder relationship were awarded, compared to just 12% of those without a prior connection.

Funders engage with potential grantees through various ways, including solicited proposals, Letters of Intent (LOIs), and formal Requests for Proposals (RFPs). Many funders prioritize trust and partnership over unsolicited proposals. In fact, some funders, like the Surdna Foundation, explicitly do not accept unsolicited proposals. According to Inside Philanthropy, “finding these opportunities requires a longer-term strategy than targeting project grants because you need to develop trust with your funder.” This means an invitation to apply often stems directly from a cultivated relationship. Beyond presenting research and networking with peers, consider broadening your conference attendance to include industry-specific convenings or targeted funder events. These offer prime opportunities to strategically engage with program officers and decision-makers, even before a specific funding opportunity arises. During a recent campus visit with Airbus, company representatives inquired about which conferences faculty attend in their area of expertise. Airbus, along with other industry partners, views conferences as a way to learn about new, innovative research in its many areas of interest.

By proactively identifying funders attending conferences, initiating conversations, and sharing your work, you're not simply networking—you're building rapport and positioning yourself as a credible and impactful voice in your field. Funders are often excited to learn what is happening in their areas of interest and value opportunities to connect directly with researchers on the ground. While a strong proposal remains essential, a pre-existing relationship provides invaluable insights into a funder's priorities, enhances alignment, and can even lead to opportunities for flexible support.

Next time you attend a conference, consider how to:

  • Research attending funders: Identify those whose mission aligns with your work.
  • Engage strategically: Seek out program officers, actively listen to their feedback, and ask clarifying questions.
  • Build long-term rapport: Understand that relationship-building takes time (often 6-12 months for an unrestricted grant invitation) but consistently yields significant dividends.
  • Share your story: Highlight the impact and vision of your research and the impact it has to create change on a larger scale than just your department or university.

Building these connections is an important, long-term investment that will significantly enhance your future funding success and open doors to new opportunities.

Leverage Inside Philanthropy for Funder Insights

Our office subscribes to Inside Philanthropy, a valuable news website offering in-depth coverage of major philanthropic foundations and wealthy donors. It provides detailed profiles on their giving priorities and giving trends, along with fundraising guides for specific areas. Connect with ocfr@rice.edu for support with your inquiries.

Helpful Links

No Open House, July 4

  • Access the archive of bulletins here.
  • Check out the private foundations limited submissions calendar here.
  • If you want to be removed from or added to this distribution list, reach out here.
  • Explore the early career webpage for timely resources and support.

Anchor links

Science & Engineering Funding Opportunities 

Social Sciences & Humanities Funding Opportunities

Proposal & Strategy Support

Resources and Tools

Due to the national holiday, the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (OCFR) and The Office of Research Development (ORD) will not be hosting our Open House this month.

We look forward to seeing you at the next one at the Dandelion Café on Friday, August 1, from 9 to 11 a.m.

 

Welcome to the latest funding bulletin, featuring funding opportunities, resources, and announcements to support your pursuit of funding. We've refined the layout to make it easier to navigate, now sharing funding opportunities by focus: Science & Engineering and Social Sciences & Humanities. You'll also find helpful icons that indicate the funding vehicle, whether it's from a private foundation, a corporate source, or a federal/state agency.

Science & Engineering Funding Opportunities

Funding Highlight

Corporate Opportunities 

Pfizer Inc. | Natural Sciences + Medical Research

Competitive Grants Program - This competitive grant program from Pfizer seeks to support research studies generating real-world evidence on the use of elranatamab in multiple myeloma. Projects should focus on the safety and efficacy of elranatamab in real-world settings, including outpatient administration and mitigation strategies for side effects, the impact of prior treatments, infection patterns and management, and identifying clinical and biological features of refractoriness or response biomarkers. Applicants must be affiliated with an eligible organization such as a hospital, academic institution, or professional society. The Principal Investigator must hold a medical or postdoctoral degree (MD, PhD, or equivalent), an advanced nursing degree (BSN with a MS/PhD), or a degree in Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, or Social Work. For more information about the program, click here to read the FAQs. Funding: Up to $200,000 (max of $250,000 with strong justification); Smaller requests for $50,000 are also encouraged | Application Deadline: July 24

 

RELX Group | Natural Sciences + Multidiscipline

RELX Environmental Challenge - The RELX Environmental Challenge is an annual global competition supporting innovative projects that provide sustainable access to safe water or sanitation. This challenge aims to recognize and reward solutions that address critical global issues like water scarcity and lack of proper sanitation, which impact health, education, and gender equality. Applicants can be individuals or organizations (for-profit or non-profit) from various fields. Submissions must advance sustainable access to safe water where it is presently at risk and/or access to improved sanitation, and include the following criteria: replicability, scalability, sustainability, practical applicability, address non-discrimination and equity of access, and involve local communities and a wide range of stakeholders. Early stage projects are preferred. Funding: First place $50,000; Second place $25,000 | Application Deadline: July 27, 11:59 p.m. GMT (July 27, 6:59 p.m. CST)

 

Kraft Heinz | Natural Sciences + AI

Predictive Shelf-Life Modeling for Food Products - This call seeks experts in predictive shelf-life modeling for packaged food products, particularly those with experience leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence. The aim is to improve the accuracy and efficiency of shelf-life prediction for various food categories by applying advanced modeling techniques grounded in food science, microbiology, sensory, and packaging fundamentals. Expertise in data requirements and integration with existing shelf-life testing protocols is desired. Funding: Up to $100,000 for the first year, with the potential for an extension | Application Deadline: July 31

 

Haleon | STEM + Materials & Nanoengineering

Recyclable, monomaterial pump systems for sprays & semi solids - This opportunity seeks innovative, recyclable pump systems for healthcare and personal care products, like sprays and creams. The aim is to overcome the challenges of current multi-material pumps, which are difficult to recycle, contributing to landfill waste. Haleon is looking for mono-material pumps, ideally made from a single polymer type, that can dispense various formulations while being compatible with existing recycling streams. Solutions for sprays (up to 0.5 mL per actuation) and/or creams/gels (up to 1 mL per actuation) are of interest. Must-have requirements include proven curbside recyclability, compatibility with target formulations, defined dose dispensing, and no leakage. Reusable and refillable formats, as well as the inclusion of recycled content, are nice-to-haves. Funding: Up to $100,000 for a six-month proof-of-concept project | Application Deadline: August 31

 

PepsiCo | STEM + Materials

Biodegradable spray coatings for fiber-based packaging - This opportunity seeks biodegradable, spray-applied polymer coatings or resins for fiber-based beverage packaging. The aim is to deliver effective barrier performance while ensuring high fiber recovery for recyclability, aligning with PepsiCo's commitment to reducing new plastic and improving packaging sustainability. Solutions of interest include PHA-based coatings, biodegradable nanocomposites, resin systems, and biopolymer crosslinked networks. Must-haves are compatibility with standard spray nozzles, specific water vapor transmission rates and oxygen transmission rates, renewable sourcing, biodegradability, and compliance with FBA/AF&PA repulpability standards. Funding: Proposal-dependent, $25,000 - $100,000 | Application Deadline: August 31

 

Johnson&Johnson | Natural Sciences + Medical Research

Unlocking Urologic Oncology Innovation QuickFire Challenge - This challenge seeks transformative solutions to improve the treatment and care of patients with Bladder and Prostate Cancers. Innovations are sought in areas such as therapeutics that limit toxicities and provide organ-sparing options, and surgical technologies that improve endoscopic procedures or offer focal therapies. Proposed solutions will be evaluated based on their alignment with the challenge, potential impact on bladder and prostate cancer treatment and patient care, accessibility across healthcare settings, feasibility, differentiation, and team quality. In addition to grant funding, selected innovators will receive virtual access to JLABS and mentorship from experts. Funding: Grant funding from a pool of $300,000 | Application Deadline: October 3

 

Comcast | STEM + Multidiscipline

Comcast Innovation Fund - This fund supports technology and public policy research that benefits the Internet and the evolution of connectivity. For 2025, priority areas include end-user application quality, Wi-Fi performance, routing security, live video streaming, edge computing/caching, policy issues (FCC outage reporting & E911/988 reporting), quantum computing-related cybersecurity and privacy, and wireless & mobility. The fund offers Open-Source Development Grants, General Research Grants, Targeted Research Grants, and "Useful & Interesting Things Grants" for novel contributions to the Internet. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, starting in January, until the year's fund is exhausted. A pre-qualification form is the first step. Funding: $3,000 - $150,000 for one-year projects | Application Deadline: Continuous/Rolling

 

CooperVision | Natural Sciences + Medical Research

Science and Technology Award - This award supports innovative research focused on advancing myopia control. Proposals are sought for projects exploring new technologies and approaches to revolutionize myopia prevention and control, identify biomarkers for treatment response, understand underlying mechanisms of myopia, investigate structural and optical changes in young myopes, and analyze factors influencing therapy selection. Any researcher with Principal Investigator (PI) status holding an MD, OD, or PhD is eligible. Postdoctoral fellows with a waiver of PI status must submit appropriate documentation. Animal model studies are not accepted. Funding: Up to $100,000 for a one-year project | Application Deadline: Continuous/Rolling

Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT)

 

Samsung AI Researcher of the Year

 

This award recognizes promising researchers who have conducted outstanding research or made significant contributions to the field of Artificial Intelligence. Eligible applicants include faculty or research scientists at a university or public research institute who are 35 years of age or under at the time of the submission date. Undergraduate and doctoral students are not eligible, but postdoctoral researchers and research scientists can apply. Award recipients are required to present their work at the annual Samsung AI Forum which will be held in Korea on September 15, 2025.

  • Funding: $300,000 & a plaque
  • Deadline: July 13 KST (July 12, 10:00 a.m. CST)
 

UIDP Webinar:

2025 Sony Research Award Program

July 15, 12 to 1 p.m. CST

 

The Sony Research Award Program is an initiative that provides funding for innovative university research with the potential to shape the future of technology.

The program offers awards of up to $150,000 per year for groundbreaking projects across a few broad technology categories with two distinct award tracks: the Faculty Innovation Award for early-stage exploratory research, and the Focused Research Award for projects aligned with specific Sony research themes.

The webinar will cover the program's scope, proposal submission guidelines, and tips for crafting a competitive application. It will also highlight collaborative opportunities with Sony's research teams.

Registration is required (subject to approval) and closes on July 15 at 11:30 a.m. CST.

 

NSF - Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP)

 

Request for Information on Key Technology Focus Areas

 

This is a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from various sectors to help the National Science Foundation (NSF) assess and potentially update the list of key technology focus areas for its Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP). The RFI aims to identify technologies critical for U.S. competitiveness, economic growth, and national security, as well as those with potential talent gaps or a need for use-inspired research. Submissions should not include machine-generated responses, business proprietary information, copyrighted information, or personally identifiable information, and may be released publicly.

Submission Deadline: July 21, 2025, 11:59 p.m. EST (10:59 p.m. CST)

 

Burroughs Wellcome Fund

 

Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grants

 

Seed Grants aim to foster new connections and stimulate innovative approaches at the intersection of climate change and human health. The program aims to bridge largely disconnected fields, supporting collaborations between basic/biomedical scientists, ecologists, environmental experts, public health professionals, economists, urban planners, and more. Projects of interest include those piloting sustainable healthcare systems, preparing for extreme weather impacts on health, and public outreach/communication on climate and health.

  • Funding: $50,000
  • Deadline: July 24

Federal and State Opportunities 

National Science Foundation | STEM

Incorporating Human Behavior in Epidemiological Models (IHBEM) - The purpose of the Incorporating Human Behavior in Epidemiological Models activity is to support interdisciplinary collaborations that integrate research on behavioral and/or social processes in mathematical epidemiological models. Projects supported under this activity should be collaborative in nature and depend on the coordinated interaction of two or more PIs/co-PIs, with integrated participation from both the mathematical sciences and the social, behavioral, or economic sciences. Additional participants from other disciplines, especially the biological sciences, are also welcome. Funding: Up to $1,000,000 | Application Deadline: July 14

 

National Science Foundation

Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) - The CAREER program embodies NSF’s commitment to encourage faculty and academic institutions to value and support the integration of research and education. Successful Principal Investigators will propose creative, effective research and education plans, developed within the context of the mission, goals, and resources of their organizations, while building a firm foundation for a lifetime of contributions to research, education, and their integration. Funding: At least $400,000 | Application Deadline: July 23

 

Department of Defense - AFOSR | STEM

Young Investigators Program - The Fiscal Year 2026 Air Force Young Investigator Research Program (YIP) intends to support individual early in career scientists and engineers who have received Ph.D. or equivalent degrees by 01 April 2018 or later showing exceptional ability and promise for conducting basic research. The program objective is to foster creative basic research in science and engineering; enhance early career development of outstanding young investigators; and increase opportunities for the young investigator to recognize the Air Force and Space Force mission and related challenges in science and engineering.
Individual awards are made to U.S. institutions of higher education, industrial laboratories, for- profit, or non-profit research organizations where the principal investigator (PI) is employed on a full-time basis and holds a regular, non-contractor position. A YIP PI must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident. Researchers working at a Federally Funded Research and Development Center, or a Department of Defense (DoD) Laboratory are not eligible for this competition. Funding: $450,000 | White Paper: July 25; Full Application: September 19

 

Department of Defense | STEM

DOD Toxic Exposures, Translational Research Partnership Award - The intent of the FY25 Toxic Exposures Research Program (TERP) Translational Research Partnership Award (TRPA) is to support new or existing collaborative partnerships to pursue translational research that will accelerate the movement of promising ideas in military-related toxic exposure research into clinical applications, including health care products, interventions, technologies, and/or clinical practice guidelines. Translational research may be defined as an integration of basic science and clinical observations. New Approach Methodologies may also be used. Applications should provide evidence for the reciprocal transfer of information between basic and clinical science or vice versa in developing and implementing the research plan. Funding: $2,240,000 | Pre-Application: July 29; Full Application: October 16

 

National Science Foundation | Natural Sciences

Developmental Sciences - Developmental Sciences supports basic research that increases our understanding of perceptual, cognitive, linguistic, social, cultural, and biological processes related to human development across the lifespan. Research supported by this program will add to our knowledge of the underlying developmental processes that support social, cognitive, and behavioral functioning, thereby illuminating ways for individuals to live productive lives as members of society. Funding: Up to $600,000 | Application Deadline: July 30

 

Department of Defense - ONR | STEM

Young Investigators Program - The Office of Naval Research (ONR) Young Investigator Program (YIP) was established in 1985 and seeks to identify and support academic scientists and engineers who are in their first or second full-time tenure-track or tenure-track-equivalent academic appointment, who have received their PhD or equivalent degree on or after 01 January 2018, and who show exceptional promise for doing creative research. The objectives of this program are to attract outstanding faculty members of U.S. Institutions of Higher Education (hereafter also called "universities") to the Department of the Navy's Science and Technology (S&T) research program, to support their research, and to encourage their teaching and research careers. Funding: $750,000 | Application Deadline: August 1

Foundation Opportunities

American Brain Foundation | STEM

Lewy Body Dementia Research - This program seeks to fund projects focused on the discovery, validation, and acceleration of LBD-related biomarkers. The goal is to address the current lack of diagnostic tools for LBD, which often leads to delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and hinders research. Projects should aim to identify biomarkers (biofluid, imaging, genotyping, etc.) that can support or confirm LBD as the underlying cause of dementia at any stage. Transformative and innovative approaches with clear translational potential are highly encouraged. Funding: Up to $2,000,000 over a two-year term | Pre-Proposal Deadline: July 15

 

American Brain Foundation | STEM

Neuroinflammation Research - Funding supports high-risk, high-reward, and translational research with a focus on clinical impact. Neuroinflammation is a key factor in numerous neurological conditions, from Alzheimer's to stroke and TBI. This initiative aims to advance understanding of inflammation-based mechanisms, pathways, biomarkers, therapies, and technologies that could lead to significant clinical advances across neurodegenerative, developmental, autoimmune, inflammatory, and neuromuscular diseases. Funding: Up to $2,000,000 over a two-year term | Pre-Proposal Deadline: July 15

 

Prevent Cancer Foundation | STEM

Research Grants - Funding is aimed at identifying innovative projects with significant potential to advance cancer prevention or early detection. To support their goal of reducing cancer deaths by 40% by 2035, the Foundation funds original research in four tracks: Translational Research, Implementation/Dissemination Science, Population Health, and Clinical Trials and related studies. Projects should demonstrate substantial near-term impact and can cover a wide range of cancer types and focus areas, though studies related to therapy for established or advanced cancer are not eligible. Applicants (and their mentors, if applicable) must not have received funding from the tobacco or vaping industries. Funding: $100,000 over a two-year term | Application Deadline: July 15

 

Brain Tumour Charity | STEM

Translational Award - This award funds projects that bridge the gap between lab research and clinical application for new diagnostics, therapeutics, drug delivery mechanisms, or devices for primary brain tumors. The scheme aims to generate robust data packages needed to secure further funding for clinical translation. Projects should have a clear pathway to patient benefit, strong target validation, and preliminary data in clinically-relevant models. Therapeutic applications should ideally show evidence of efficacy, indication of blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration, and have a lead candidate identified. Funding: Up to £400,000 GBP (~$539,000 USD) | Stage 1 Deadline: July 16

 

BrightFocus Foundation | STEM

Macular Degeneration Research Program - This program is inviting proposals pioneering research leading to a greater understanding, prevention, and treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The program supports scientists from diverse backgrounds and strongly encourages applications from groups underrepresented in AMD research. Three award types are available: Postdoctoral Fellowships, New Investigator Grants, and Innovative Research Grants (for high-risk/high-gain ideas). Funding: Up to $600,000 over a three-year term | LOI Deadline: July 17

 

Burroughs Wellcome Fund | STEM

Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease (PATH) Program - This program offers opportunities for accomplished assistant professors to apply multidisciplinary approaches to studying human infectious diseases. "Pathogenesis" refers to the process by which an infection leads to disease. The program supports research exploring the fundamental interactions between human systems and infectious agents, from molecular to systemic levels, and how these encounters result in colonization, infection, or commensalism. Funding: $505,000 over a five-year term | LOI Deadline: July 17

 

Wellcome Trust | STEM + Social Sciences

Mental Health Award - This award seeks to fund projects that harness the power of longitudinal data to drive innovation in the early identification of anxiety, depression, and/or psychosis. Successful teams will integrate advanced analytics of longitudinal data with an experimental research component to enable more precise and effective early interventions. Proposals must focus on predicting onset, early progression, and/or treatment response at the individual or subgroup level, leverage existing longitudinal data, validate prediction models in independent samples, and incorporate lived experience expertise. Applications are encouraged from diverse and interdisciplinary teams of early-career, mid-career, or established researchers from any relevant discipline. Funding: Up to £5,000,000 ($6.9M USD) over a five-year term | Application Deadline: July 22

 

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) | STEM

Metastatic Breast Cancer Innovation and Discovery - In partnership with Hope Scarves, AACR is offering grants to foster innovation and accelerate translation of promising ideas in metastatic breast cancer research. This includes exploring therapeutic targets and biomarkers, and aims to bridge basic science with emerging treatment strategies. Projects can be basic, clinical, or translational and must have direct applicability to metastatic breast cancer. This grant also seeks to support the development of the next generation of cancer researchers. Funding: $50,000 | Application Deadline: July 24

 

Carnegie Corporation of New York | STEM + Social Sciences

Reducing Nuclear Dangers - Applications are invited for projects aimed at reducing nuclear dangers, seeking innovative approaches and actionable recommendations. Focus areas include emerging and disruptive technologies and nuclear dangers (e.g., AI, space, cyber), the future of nonproliferation, arms control, and disarmament, open-source information and strategic risk modeling, next-generation capacity building, and crisis management, stability, and escalation control. Projects may build on past or current work but must represent an expansion or evolution of that work. Collaborative applications are encouraged. Funding: $50,000 - $750,000 | Concept Note Deadline: July 31

 

Simons Foundation | STEM

Graduate Fellowships in Ecology and Evolution - The Foundation's Life Sciences division supports students entering U.S.-based Ph.D. programs who plan to conduct research in these fields. While all ecology and evolution projects will be considered, there's particular interest in interdisciplinary research that links ecological and evolutionary processes across timescales or connects them to other STEM fields like physics, computer science, mathematics, chemistry, and genetics. The fellowship provides substantial financial support for doctoral students. Funding: $265,800 over a three-year term | LOI Deadline: July 31

 

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) | STEM

Research Focus Grants - Grants support targeted, innovative, and high-impact studies to inform and transform suicide prevention efforts. There are three distinct grant opportunities: Short-term Risk, focusing on implementing and/or disseminating evidence-based assessments/interventions for reducing immediate suicide risk in clinical settings; Reaching 20%, seeking interventions (universal, selective, or indicated) that, if widely implemented, could significantly reduce the U.S. national suicide rate; and Blue Sky Research, supporting highly innovative projects in new areas of inquiry with high potential impact for understanding and preventing suicide. Funding: Up to $1.5M over a three-year term | LOI Deadline: August 1

 

Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation | STEM

Young Investigator Program - This program specifically fosters the invention of methods, instruments, and materials that open new avenues of research in the chemical and life sciences. Proposed projects should be truly innovative, high-risk, and represent a departure from current research directions, with interdisciplinary proposals encouraged. Applicants must be within the first four years of a tenure-track or equivalent independent research appointment. Their tenure-track start date must be after January 1, 2021, and on or before August 1, 2025. Funding: $600,000 over a four-year term | LOI Deadline: August 1

 

Rheumatology Research Foundation | STEM

Career Development Bridge Funding Award - Funding is designed to support junior investigators with existing NIH K series, VA CDA, or equivalent 4- or 5-year career development awards. This supplement addresses critical research costs (e.g., laboratory supplies, support staff salaries) not fully covered by initial awards, facilitating the transition to independent investigator status. Applicants should propose a new project or an expansion of their current award that demonstrates growth towards an independent research direction, leading to the submission of an NIH R award or equivalent. Funding: $100,000 over a two-year term | Application Deadline: August 1

 

American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) | STEM

McKnight Brain Research Foundation Innovator Awards in Cognitive Aging and Memory Loss - Funding supports emerging scientific leaders conducting transformative research in cognitive aging and memory loss. This program aims to provide substantial start-up support to independent investigators with established research programs, fostering high-risk/high-gain proposals that could lead to significant discoveries in the field. Research that is primarily focused on neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease) will not be supported if it's not strongly relevant to cognitive aging. Funding: $750,000 over a three-year term | Application Deadline: August 12

 

Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation | STEM + Postdoctoral Fellowship

Fellowship Award - This award offers postdoctoral research fellowships to encourage theoretical and experimental research relevant to the study, causes, mechanisms, therapies, and prevention of cancer. This award supports promising scientists under the guidance of a Sponsor (mentor) to foster their development in independent, innovative, and substantive cancer research. The program emphasizes the quality of the research proposal, the qualifications of both the candidate and Sponsor, and the potential of the training environment to broaden the candidate's skills. Funding: $300,000 over a three-year term | Application Deadline: August 15

 

Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research | STEM

Seed Grant Program - This program is designed to provide start-up funding for basic scientists and clinicians pursuing innovative ideas in pancreatic cancer research. Funding aims to generate preliminary data for future larger grants, deepen the understanding of pancreatic cancer biology, and foster collaborations. Research areas of interest include treatment/therapy, patient care, early diagnosis, detection, cancer biology, basic science, prevention/metabolism, and research core facilities. Funding: $75,000 | Application Deadline: August 15

 

National Eczema Association | STEM

Eczema Champion Research Grant - This grant is intended to support established investigators with a recognized record of productivity and national-level funding, helping them to build on discoveries and secure larger-scale funding from organizations like the NIH. Research priorities include cutting-edge basic and translational science, eczema heterogeneity, novel insights, innovations in clinical practice and care, understanding and alleviation of disease burden, and eczema prevention. The grant is open to associate professors (or above) and previous NEA award recipients, and the PI does not need to be a U.S. citizen. Funding: $100,000 | Application Deadline: August 15

Social Sciences & Humanities Funding Opportunities

Corporate Opportunities 

IBM Center for the Business of Government | Social Sciences + Policy Research

Research Report Stipends - This opportunity supports the production of reports offering practical, actionable recommendations for government leaders and public managers. The reports should be 10,000 to 12,000 words, and should analyze real-world experiences and identify trends, new ideas, and best practices in public management and innovation. The center seeks studies across five key areas: advancing multi-sector partnerships, improving financial and operational effectiveness, leveraging technology to improve service and efficiency, using data to drive priority-setting, decision-making, and performance, and strengthening the government workforce. It also encourages research that integrates these topics to build broader strategic frameworks for improving government effectiveness at the federal, state, local, or international levels. Interested applicants are encouraged to read the full announcement for more information. Funding: $20,000 per report | Application Deadline: July 15

Foundation Opportunities

Russell Sage Foundation (RSF) | Social Sciences

Core Research Grants - Grants support social science research under their Future of Work (FOW) and Social, Political and Economic Inequality (SPEI) programs, as well as a special initiative on the implications of the 2023 Supreme Court decision to ban race-conscious admissions. RSF encourages methodologically diverse and interdisciplinary proposals that leverage novel uses of existing data or employ original data collection to address their funding priorities. Funding: $200,000 | LOI Deadline: July 16

 

Greenwall Foundation | Social Sciences

Bridging Bioethics Research & Policymaking - This program does not fund new bioethics research but instead supports projects that translate existing bioethics research findings into policy, aiming to bridge the divide between academic results and real-world policymaking. They are looking for innovative and practical approaches to integrate bioethics into policy at federal, state, or local levels. Projects might involve making actionable bioethics research accessible to policymakers or scaling up evidence-based policy solutions. Partnerships with policymakers and non-academic professionals are encouraged. Funding: $50,000 | Application Deadline: July 21

 

Teagle Foundation | Humanities

Knowledge for Freedom - This initiative supports programs that invite underserved high school students to college campuses for intensive summer seminars in the humanities, focusing on questions of purpose and civic responsibility. Following the summer program, students receive college application assistance and participate in civic engagement projects. The initiative aims to improve college readiness and foster civic engagement. Planning grants are available for institutions launching these programs. Funding: Up to $300,000 | Concept Paper Deadline: August 1

 

Brady Education Foundation (BEF) | Social Sciences + Education

Research Project (RP) and Existing Program Evaluation (EPE) Grants - The foundation is currently accepting proposals for Research Projects (RP) and Existing Program Evaluations (EPE) aimed at improving educational outcomes for children (birth - 18 years), particularly those from underserved communities. BEF prioritizes projects that align with a strength-based perspective and offer the potential to inform future educational research, practice, philanthropic giving, and/or public policy. Research Projects should focus on educational research with these aims, while Existing Program Evaluations must assess the effectiveness of programs promoting positive cognitive and/or achievement outcomes in children. Projects can span up to three years. Funding: ~$82,000 | Application Deadline: August 1

 

Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation | Social Sciences

Distinguished Scholar Awards - Funding supports leading researchers investigating the causes, manifestations, and control of violence and aggression. The Foundation welcomes proposals from any natural and social science disciplines addressing urgent, present-day problems of violence, including war, crime, terrorism, family violence, conflict related to climate and resources, racial/ethnic/religious conflict, and political extremism. Priority is given to research with clear policy relevance for violence reduction. Funding: Up to $75,000 | Application Deadline: August 1

 

Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research, Inc. | Social Sciences + Humanities

Engaged Research Grant - Funding supports research partnerships between scholars and individuals or communities who have historically been the subjects of anthropological research. This program emphasizes active collaboration in all stages of the research process, from formulating questions to data gathering and dissemination, aiming to expand anthropological knowledge, combat inequality, and support community flourishing. Projects should demonstrate the potential for significant anthropological contributions through this collaborative and engaged approach. The grant is open to applicants with PhDs in anthropology and related fields, as well as doctoral students. There are no restrictions on methodology, subfield, or nationality. Funding: $25,000 | Application Deadline: August 1

 

William T. Grant Foundation | Social Sciences

Research Grants on Reducing Inequality - Funding supports studies that aim to build, test, or increase understanding of programs, policies, or practices to reduce inequality in the academic, social, behavioral, or economic outcomes of young people ages 5-25 in the United States. The foundation prioritizes research focused on reducing inequalities based on race, ethnicity, economic standing, sexual or gender minority status, language minority status, or immigrant origins. Funding: Up to $600,000 over a three-year term | Application Deadline: August 6

 

William T. Grant Foundation | Social Sciences

Research Grants on Improving the Use of Research Evidence - This grant supports studies on strategies focused on improving the use, usefulness, and impact of research evidence in ways that benefit young people ages 5-25 in the United States. The program seeks to understand what it takes to get research used by decision-makers (policymakers, agency leaders, community organizers, etc.) and what happens when research is used. It encourages studies that aim to build, identify, or test ways to improve the use of existing research evidence, or to test whether improving research use, in turn, leads to improved decision-making and youth outcomes. Funding: Up to $1,000,000 over a four-year term | Application Deadline: August 6

 

Internal funding opportunities can be found on the Rice University Creative Ventures Fund webpage.

Proposal & Funding Strategy Support

Navigating the landscape of funding opportunities can be complex, but you're not alone! The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (OCFR) and the Office of Research Development (ORD) are here to support faculty in developing compelling proposals and crafting effective funding strategies for the RFPs shared in this bulletin and beyond.

 

How we can help:

  • Identifying Strategic Funding Matches: We can help you analyze potential funders to determine alignment with your research or program goals and identify the most promising funding avenues.
  • Proposal Development Guidance: We offer guidance throughout the proposal process, from outlining your project and developing a strong narrative to addressing sponsor requirements.
  • Corporate and Foundation Engagement (OCFR): For opportunities involving corporate or private foundations, OCFR provides support in understanding funder priorities, tailoring your approach for successful engagement, and cultivating relationships.
  • Research Development Resources (ORD): ORD offers a range of resources, including workshops, individual consultations, and proposal review services, to enhance the competitiveness and impact of your applications.

We encourage you to reach out early in the process so we can provide the most impactful support. Let us partner with you to turn your innovative ideas into funded realities!

 

Contact Us:

  • Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (OCFR): ocfr@rice.edu
  • Office of Research Development (ORD): Proposal assistance request form

Available Resources

When developing your fundraising strategy, it can be advantageous to see what opportunities are posted by sponsors, including private foundations and government agencies. To enable you to do so effectively, Rice subscribes to Pivot-RP, a global database of open research funding opportunities available for faculty and staff..

To learn more about Pivot-RP, how to successfully access the database, or receive technical support from an OCFR partner visit our internal website.

Halo is a platform developed specifically to connect companies to university researchers to work on answers to urgent needs. These projects are specific and range from $25K - $200K generally, but ultimately these projects can lead to broader relationships and continued partnership. Halo releases RFPs monthly. You can sign up for regular updates and access is free and open to anyone who creates an account.

If you have questions about Halo or how to navigate it, please contact OCFR at ocfr@rice.edu.

Rice University is a member of the University-Industry Demonstration Project (UIDP), a professional organization fostering connections between universities and industry partners. UIDP focuses on developing innovative approaches to collaborative endeavors, providing a wealth of resources accessible on their comprehensive website. 

This resource is available to anyone working at Rice, and we strongly encourage you to make an account to receive updates.

Candid offers a comprehensive understanding of the social sector by providing extensive data and insightful analysis. Their platform integrates information on nonprofits, foundations, and grantmaking activities, alongside current news and in-depth research. Faculty can utilize Candid's robust tools to thoroughly research and verify nonprofit organizations, effectively identify potential funding opportunities that align with their work, and explore a diverse array of valuable datasets and information related to the philanthropic landscape.

Visit Candid's website to discover their free training programs and a wide range of other valuable resources designed to support those working within and alongside the social sector.

Foundation Directory is a comprehensive database providing detailed profiles of grantmaking foundations, corporate giving programs, and federal funders. It serves as a crucial resource for identifying potential funding sources aligned with diverse research areas and scholarly activities. The directory offers insights into funders' priorities, past grant recipients, application guidelines, and contact information, empowering faculty to strategically pursue external funding opportunities to support their work at Rice University.

Note: Rice University faculty interested in accessing the Foundation Directory should email OCFR at ocfr@rice.edu to request login credentials.

Research Data Management

This presentation equips researchers with the skills to effectively manage their research data. Throughout the session, explore the importance of data management and creating a data management plan, and delve into best practices for organizing, documenting, storing, sharing, and archiving your data. The presentation was curated by the Fondren Library and draws on best practices and resources from the University of Minnesota Libraries, the New England Collaborative Data Management Curriculum, and MIT Libraries. 

Access the Research Data Management Presentation here.

 
 

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OCFR works with faculty to develop proposals, navigate the proposal process, coordinate campus visits, research potential funders, and analyze data to inform strategy.

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