Find the right funding for your research with SDSU's resources

Utilize the SPIN database to search thousands of funding opportunities. Learn about internal funding, federal sponsors and tips for using SPIN. Discover grants from state, regional and nonprofit sponsors and explore early career funding options.

Funding Tools and Databases
Using SPIN Funding Database

InfoEd Global’s SPIN funding opportunities database is an online resource that helps faculty, students and staff quickly find relevant programs available to fund all types of research. Tracking approximately 40,000 funding opportunities across thousands of governments, foundations and commercial entities around the world, SPIN makes it easier to locate potential sources of funding.

View the SPIN Funding Database

Tips for Using SPIN Funding Database

Use text searching tools coupled with filters to tailor searches for funding opportunities. You can also set up daily or weekly alerts of new or modified opportunities with the SMARTS automation tool.

Access SPIN to get started. To save search results and set up automated alerts, log in using your single sign-on (institutional credentials).

Refer to the training videos through SPIN to get the most from the site. We recommend the following videos, which each run from 30-90 seconds long: 5. Exploring the Primary SPIN tabs, 6. Conducting a Basic Search, 7. Configuring your Preferences Filters, 14. Saving Searches, 15. Managing Saved Searches and 16. Managing SMARTS funding alerts.

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Using the RSCA Listserv

The RSCA Funding listserv operates to share news, events and funding opportunities related to research, scholarship and creative activities at SDSU.

We ask that subscribers consider the following guidelines:

  • Share relevant funding opportunities.
  • Share helpful training events and opportunities.
  • Post questions about current funding opportunities or events.
  • Seek networking opportunities for research, scholarship and creative activity projects or programs.
  • Remain respectful and purposeful in our messages.

Subscribe

  1. Send an email with subject: Subscribe
  2. In the email, write: SUBSCRIBE SDSU_RSCA-FUNDING FirstName LastName
  3. Replace "FirstName LastName" with your name and remove any extra text in the email (such as a signature).

Other actions

*Users will need an account to view archives and manage their listserv subscription.

Limited Submissions and Internal Funding Opportunities – InfoReady

Limited submissions

A limited submission is an opportunity in which a sponsor restricts the number of proposals an institution may submit.

To select a proposals, an internal competition among prospective applicants ensures SDSU submits its most competitive applications. Internal letters of interest and preproposals for limited submissions are reviewed by the university's associate deans for research or members of the University Research Council.

If you find a limited submission of interest, check with the Division of Research to determine if an internal selection process is warranted. Watch the university's InfoReady platform for posted opportunities.

Internal funding opportunities

Opportunities for the universitywide community, including the RSCA Challenge Fund and Wokini Challenge Grant, will also be posted on InfoReady. Watch for announcements through university channels.

The RSCA Challenge Fund is supported by the Division of Research and Economic Development and the Office of Academic Affairs with advisement from the university RSCA Committee. The annual program serves as a seed grant for faculty and professional staff with responsibilities in research, scholarship and creative activity. The Request for Applications is released in the fall semester with a deadline in the spring semester. Visit InsideState for previous RFAs and award history.

Check with your college or department for internal funding opportunities, as well. Review the SDSU InfoReady platform for current funding opportunities, including limited submissions.
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Federal Sponsors
Grants.gov

Grants.gov

Search all federal funding opportunities on grants.gov. The site lists posted, forecasted, closed and archived funding opportunities from all award-granting federal agencies. Users can filter searches by criteria such as eligibility, category and agency.

Learn more about which federal agencies provide grant funding.

Search for opportunities on grants.gov

U.S. Department of Agriculture – National Institute of Food and Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture provides leadership and funding for programs that advance agriculture-related sciences. The agency supports research, educational and extension efforts in a wide range of scientific fields related to agricultural and behavioral sciences. Learn about USDA NIFA grants and processes, NIFA list of competitive Requests for Applications and calendar of upcoming RFAs. You can also Subscribe to USDA NIFA news, View the USDA NIFA YouTube channel.

Search all USDA NIFA RFAs Search the USDA's award database

National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) is the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, investing more than $32 billion a year to enhance life and reduce illness and disability.

Learn about NIH's grants and processes, take a look at some sample NIH applications, and learn how to use NIH MatchMaker to find your fit. You can also subscribe to NIH funding opportunity announcements and view the NIH YouTube channel.

Search NIH RePORT (award database)All NIH funding opportunities (active and expired)

National Science Foundation

As described in the foundation’s strategic plan, the National Science Foundation is the only federal agency whose mission includes support for all fields of fundamental science and engineering, except for medical sciences. With an annual budget of $9.5 billion (FY 2023), the NSF is a funding source for approximately 25% of all federally supported basic research conducted by America's colleges and universities. In many fields such as mathematics, computer science and the social sciences, NSF is the major source of federal backing. (source).

Learn about NSF funding and awards, subscribe to NSF announcements, and view the NSF's Featured and Policy Office YouTube channels.

South Dakota Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research Listserv

Based on funding from NSF, South Dakota is designated as an Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research state, which opens additional funding opportunities for research. The South Dakota EPSCoR website lists weekly grant announcements and distributes a weekly newsletter with information on funding and EPSCoR-specific opportunities and training.

Search the NSF’s award database Search NSF funding opportunities

National Endowment for the Humanities

The National Endowment for the Humanities offers a variety of grant programs to individuals and organizations that do the highest quality work to promote the humanities. Learn about grants at NEH, subscribe to NEH announcements, and view the NEH's YouTube channel

Search NEH funding opportunities  Search the NEH award database

National Endowment for the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts is the only arts funder in the United States — public or private — that provides access to the arts in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. jurisdictions. Each year, it awards thousands of grants nationwide, including grants to first-time applicants.

Learn about grants at NEA,  subscribe to NEA announcements, and view the NEA's YouTube channel

Search the NEA award database

Department of Defense
Nonfederal Sponsors
State and Regional Sponsors

State agencies often work with SDSU faculty and staff in funding research and programming. Agencies include South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, South Dakota Department of Health and the South Dakota Department of Transportation, among others.

  • South Dakota Board of Regents Research Affairs releases calls for applications annually for the competitive research grant and others.
  • South Dakota Community Foundation – Grants.
  • South Dakota Humanities Council – Grants.
  • South Dakota Arts Council – Grants.
Nonprofits and Foundations

Email Bulletin

Philanthropy News Digest RFP Bulletin by Candid: This site collects and promotes requests for proposals from U.S.-based nonprofit and grantmaking organizations. RFPs cover a wide range of subjects.

Other Resources

Commodity Groups
Early Career Opportunities
Federal Sponsors
Nonprofit Sponsors