Chapter 2: Identifying Funding Opportunities

Sponsored Programs Administration provides pre-award services to faculty and staff which include assistance in identifying potential sponsors, assistance with preparation of proposals, review and submission of proposals, negotiation and acceptance of awards, and liaison with sponsors concerning administrative and policy matters.

Identifying Potential Sponsors

Each sponsor has specific objectives which it hopes to achieve. . Preparation of a grant or contract proposal is a major undertaking. The first step in the proposal preparation process is identification of those organizations which sponsor the type of project to be proposed. Some specific questions to be considered:

• Does the organization support the program area of interest? For example, the NSF supports many kinds of life science research, but is barred by statute from supporting research which bears directly on human health. Thus, even though development of AIDS therapies is a high national priority, NSF would not consider such a proposal.
• Does the organization support the type of program? If the program to be proposed is for training, travel to a convention, or a conference, the author of the proposal must be sure that the potential sponsor supports that type of program.
• Does the project address one of the Organization’s priorities? Every organization has priority areas of interest. Basic research organizations address areas on the cutting edge of disciplines. Mission-oriented organizations focus on accomplishing specific objectives.
• Does the organization have a funding limitation? Many organizations limit the funds made in support of any one project. Refer to the organization’s program announcement.

The right sponsor is the one which has an announced desire to support the type of program and activity in the area, and for the cost to be proposed. Submitting to the right sponsor will greatly increase the probability of funding for the project.

Identifying External Funding Opportunities

Information about external funding opportunities may be accessed through SPS's homepage. The resources available on the SPS webpage include:

• Community of Science;
• Internal Database of Funding Opportunites by Deadline and by Discipline;
• Sponsored Program Funding Alerts;
• Professional Development Opportunities;
• Agency and Sponsored Program News;
• Direct links to the homepages of all major federal agencies and many private funding sources;
• Weekly Summary of News and Funding Opportunities

How can I be notified about funding opportunities?

• Subscribe to SPA Weekly Email Summary
  The SPA Weekly Email Summary is a summary of news and funding opportunities posted to the SPA Website. It is available online here every Friday and sent out on the next business day to all the subscribers. Faculty interested in subscribing may do so by emailing info@research.buffalo.edu; list Subscribe SPA Weekly Summary in the subject line of the email, and include name, department, email Address in the body of the email.
  
• Subscribe to External E-mail Funding Alert Service
  Various funding agencies offer e-mail alert services regarding their programs. Program notices are e-mailed directly to subscribers on a regular basis. You can access our listing of free email funding alert services provided by various Sponsors and other funding information sources here.
  
• Funding Search Request Form
  Sponsored Programs has access to several funding opportunities databases, listing funding opportunities from federal, nonfederal, private, and corporate sources. The Funding Search is designed to assist faculty and administrators in the identification of external support for their research and training programs. To have a Funding Search performed, please complete and submit the request form online. If you have any questions regarding this form or the Funding Search, please call 645-2977 ext. 106 or 112 or e-mail Sponsored Programs at info@research.buffalo.edu.
• Subscribe to Community of Science Funding Opportunities Database
  Community of Science maintains a funding opportunities database that contains more than 7,000 entries including federal agencies, states, commercial organizations, foundations and professional organizations. COS Funding Alert is a personalized electronic notification service of funding information. COS Funding Alert subscribers receive a weekly e-mail with a customized list of funding opportunities based on previously specified criteria provided by the individual COS members. Refer to the Funding Alert Set-Up or Funding Alert Tutorial pages for help accessing or personalizing your Alert.
• Emailed Funding Opportunities
  Funding opportunities are emailed to deans having cognizance for the disciplinary area of the program being announced, and to faculty and staff known to be interested in the program area. These single funding opportunity emails contain detailed information concerning the respective program. Faculty and staff members interested in receiving emailed funding opportunities should email fundingopps@research.buffalo.edu.