Funding

Discipline(s): All

The Graduate School's Office of Research and Projects (ORP) is offering this monthly e-newsletter of foundation-sponsored grant opportunities available to support the diverse research and creative activities of all faculty.

Spencer Foundation
Grant Opportunity: Small Education Research Grants
Summary: The Small Research Grants on Education Program supports education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education, broadly conceived.  This program is “field-initiated” in that proposal submissions are not in response to a specific request for a particular research topic, discipline, design, method, or location. Our goal for this program is to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.
Grant Cap: Budgets up to $50,000 for projects ranging from one to five years
Deadline: April 15, 2026 at 12:00PM Noon (Central) – pre-proposal
For More Information: Link

 

Edwardsville Community Foundation
Grant Opportunity:  2026 Community Impact Grant Applications
Summary:  The purpose of ECF general fund grants are to Support projects that enhance the quality of life for residents of the Edwardsville Community Unit School District No. 7 geographical area.  Support projects that are not adequately funded by existing community resources.  Support projects that leverage other funds and resources.  Support projects that facilitate cooperation between tax-exempt community organizations.  Support projects that provide benefits for many residents.  Grants will be made only to tax-exempt community organizations (qualified to receive tax deductible contributions) within the boundaries of District 7 geographical area and whose projects  focus on Arts and culture, Health and human services, Civic improvement and environment, or Education and youth.
Grant Cap: Grants are not to exceed $5000
Deadline:  Application opens April 15, 2026 – Closes May 31, 2026
For More Information: Link

 

ALS Network
Innovative Research
Summary: This RFP seeks to fund unique projects designed to solve critical problems in ALS using innovative technology or methods. The projects should be bold, imaginative, and lead to advances in the field. If successful following a one-year review, there may be the opportunity for a second year of funding.
Grant Gap: Up to $150,000 (including up to 15% indirect costs) may be awarded per project
Deadline: LOIs are due by April 20, 2026
For More Information:  Link

 

One Mind
Rising Star Award for Mental Health
Summary:  One Mind launched the Rising Star Awards in 2005 with the fundamental belief that investing in world-class early-career investigators pursuing innovative, high-risk/high-reward research would accelerate breakthroughs in mental health conditions and psychiatric disorders. Since its inception, One Mind has awarded 54 Rising Star Awards to researchers pushing the frontiers of mental health science through their research and leadership. One Mind invites applications from early career investigators in neuroscience, psychiatry, psychology, and related disciplines to apply for research grants designed to advance the understanding, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health conditions and psychiatric disorders.  Applicants must be independent investigators (faculty or equivalent) already employed at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor (or equivalent).  Applicants should be within up to 8 years of their initial independent appointment to qualify as an early career investigator. Applicants must have a doctoral level degree (e.g., MD, PhD, PsyD, PharmD, etc.) with demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and research productivity in scientific fields relevant to  mental health and psychiatry.
Grant Cap: This year One Mind will award up to four Rising Star Awards, each providing a $300,000 research grant ($100,000 per year for three years).
Deadline:  April 27, 2026
For More Information:  Link

AmeriCorps
FY 2026 Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service
Summary:  This funding opportunity is for entities to apply for funds to host events which utilize volunteers to meet a community need and honor the life of Dr. King.Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service projects mobilize Americans to observe the Martin Luther King, Jr., federal holiday as a day of service in communities, to encourage those who serve on this holiday to make a long-term commitment to community service, and to bring people together to focus on service to others and help address community issues.  AmeriCorps also expects each project to include offering ongoing opportunities to volunteer throughout the year and to share information about how to serve with AmeriCorps and its national service programs. 
Grant Cap: $100,000-$500,000 (70% of total program budget in matching funds)
Deadline:  April 30, 2026 by 4:00pm central
For More Information: Link

 

Spencer Foundation
Racial Equity Research Grants
Summary: The Spencer Foundation invites applications for the Racial Equity Research Grants program which supports education research projects that will contribute to understanding and disrupting racial inequality in education and work to reimagine generative possibilities to advance educational equity.  This program is “field-initiated” in that proposal submissions are not required to focus on a particular research topic, discipline, design, or method. We hope that scholars will identify the most compelling and needed areas of research. We are interested in proposals at all levels and in all settings of learning, including early childhood, higher education, and in schools, families, and communities across the world. 
Grant Cap budgets up to $75,000 for projects ranging from one to five years
Deadline: May 4, 2026 at 12:00PM Noon (Central) – pre-proposal
For More Information: Link

 

Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR)
Grant Opportunity: Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research (ROAR)
Summary: The ROAR program deploys urgent funding to support research and outreach in response to emerging or unanticipated threats to the U.S. food supply or agricultural systems.  ROAR Program funds rapid research related to response, prevention or mitigation of emerging pests and pathogens. ROAR’s one- to two-year funding fills urgent research gaps until traditional, longer-term funding can be secured.
Grant Cap FFAR awards one- to two-year grants of up to $250,000 to develop diagnostics, monitoring, and mitigation strategies. All awards require secured matching funds.
Deadline: Rolling until June 17, 2026 - Applicants are required to submit a one-page concept note via FFAR’s grants management portal. Based on the concept note, FFAR may invite applicants to apply for the program; upon invitation, applicants will have eight weeks to complete an application.
For More Information: Link

Ameren
Grant Opportunity: Community Grants
Summary:  To make an impact in our communities, serve the underserved, and create a thriving region, Ameren awards grants and sponsorships to nonprofits that are working to address three core areas: meeting critical needs, helping communities thrive, and creating education and economic opportunities in our region.
Grant Cap: $500-$10,000
Deadline: Continuous
For More Information: Link

Interested in applying? Click here to contact ORP