Find Funding
How to Find Funding
This page is designed for use by faculty members seeking research funding and/or faculty and staff seeking program development funding. It offers an overview of key funding resources, including access to the SPIN funding database and links to federal and state agencies that provide grants.
We encourage you to explore our recent workshop on external research funding, which covers the types of funding available, how to identify and assess funding opportunities, and the next steps after finding a suitable funder. You can access the workshop recording here and the slides here.
For questions, please contact Office_of_Research@stmarys-ca.edu.
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 an account with SPIN and 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.
*Since the SPIN subscription is linked to affiliation with Saint Mary's, we ask that database users submit account requests using their Saint Mary's email address
Federal and state agencies that award grant funding for research and programs include:
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
The National Endowment for the Humanities is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. NEH offers a wide variety of grant programs. Please use the NEH Program List to help you identify grant programs to support your research or program activities.
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, bringing the arts to all Americans, and providing leadership in arts education. The Endowment is the largest national source of funds for the arts. See Grants for Arts, which is the NEA's principal grants program. For other NEA grant opportunities, see the general list of NEA grants.
National Science Foundation (NSF)
The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency created to promote the progress of science, to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare, and to secure the national defense. The NSF annually funds approximately 20 percent of basic, federally-supported college and university research. NSF is divided according to discipline. Use the NSF Research Areas page to aid in finding opportunities in your area.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers, each with a specific research agenda. Use the List of Institutes and Centers to identify research funding opportunities in your area.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration serves as the nation's forefront of such exploration and continues to pioneer in aeronautics, exploration systems, science, and space operations. Use the Funding Opportunities page to access the current Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) announcement. Click through to the list of open program elements to view specific research topics.
US Department of Education (ED)
The Department of Education ensures equal access to education and promotes educational excellence through coordination, management, and accountability in federal education programs. The Department works to supplement and complement educational efforts on all levels, encouraging increased involvement by the public, parents, and students. For education research projects, visit the Institute of Education Sciences Funding Opportunities page.
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute serves as a leader in providing services to enhance learning, sustain cultural heritage, and increase civic participation. See the Available Grants page to access current opportunities.
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is the nation's largest grant-maker supporting service and volunteering. Through AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors programs, the organization is a catalyst for change and offers every American a chance to contribute through service and volunteering. See the Funding Opportunities page to view open programs.
California Humanities (Cal Humanities)
California Humanities is an independent nonprofit organization and a partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. For more than 40 years, California Humanities has awarded over $30 million in grants across the state, reaching every Congressional district. See the Funding Opportunities page to view their programs.