External Funding Sources

Mason Resources

  • SPIN (Sponsored Programs Information Network)
    • An online accessed data base of federal, non-federal and corporate funding opportunities designed to assist faculty and staff in the identification of external sources of support for research, education and development projects. 
    • Available to all Mason faculty, staff and students from a Mason authenticated login.
    • Click on Sign In at upper right of page, next to George Mason University.  Then click on Need to create a new profile, fill out profile information, and click on Save.  Your request will be sent to GMU's SPIN administrator, and you'll receive a password link and user information.
    • Once logged in, click on the Search menu to search for grants and to set up optional email alerts.
  • Foundation Directory Online
    • A research tool to help find foundations that award grants and are most likely to fund projects.  
    • Available through Mason Libraries' subscription from a Mason authenticated login.  Click on Foundation Directory Online from this page.  Tutorial videos and On-Demand Training can be found here. 
    • Register for a personal login to search on RFPs or to sign up for alerts through the Foundation Directory's Philanthropy Digest page.  

State and Local Resources

  • Commonwealth of Virginia's webpage
    • The Commonwealth provides a variety of funding opportunities for localities, organizations, and individuals.

Federal Funding Resources 

For information of public interest, including notices, proposed/final rules, meeting notices and grants/funding Requests for Proposals (RFPs).

  • Grants.gov
    • A website for federal agencies to post discretionary funding opportunities and for grantees to find and apply to them.
  • Federal Register 
    • The official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of Federal agencies and organizations (such as grants) , as well as executive orders and other presidential documents

Funding Information & Opportunities 

Limited Submissions

Limited submissions are those opportunities where the agency limits the number of proposals from a single institution. See Research Development Services for types of support, as well as a listing of Limited Submissions Grants Programs Deadlines and instructions on how to apply for limited submissions. 

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation makes grants primarily to support original research and education related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and economics. The Foundation believes that these fields—and the scholars and practitioners who work in them—are chief drivers of the nation's health and prosperity. 

Click here for current funding opportunities. 

National Endowment for the Humanities

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is an independent federal agency created in 1965. It is one of the largest funders of humanities programs in the United States. NEH grants typically go to cultural institutions, such as museums, archives, libraries, colleges, universities, public television, and radio stations, and to individual scholars.

Click here for current funding opportunities.

National Historical Publications & Records Commission

The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) supports projects that promote access to America's historical records to encourage understanding of our democracy, history, and culture.

Click here for current funding opportunities. 

National Institutes of Health

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.

Click here for current funding opportunities.

National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense.

NSF is divided into the following seven directorates that support science and engineering research and education:

Each is headed by an assistant director and each is further subdivided into divisions like materials research, ocean sciences and behavioral and cognitive sciences. Within NSF's Office of the Director, the Office of Integrative Activities also supports research and researchers. 

Click here for current funding opportunities.

Helpful Resources from the Spring 2023 Virtual Grants Conference

The conference was designed to give new faculty, researchers, and administrators key insights into a wide range of current issues at NSF. NSF program officers provided up-to-date information about specific funding opportunities and answered attendee questions.

  • Introduction & NSF Overview video
  • Proposal Preparation video
  • Merit Review Process video
  • Awards Management video
  • Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) video

*Additional videos from the conference can be found here.

US Department of Education

The US Department of Education (ED) promotes student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.

ED offers three kinds of grants:

  • Discretionary grants - awarded using a competitive process.
  • Student loans or grants - to help students attend college.
  • Formula grants - uses formulas determined by Congress and has no application process.

Click here for funding opportunities.

Research Development Services

Research Development (RD) provides support to faculty, students and staff in identifying and seeking funding to increase George Mason’s funded research base.

Click here for additional funding opportunities.