Find Funding :: grants for individuals

What Global Warming? Funding to visit the coldest place on earth.

findfunding — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 06:02:43 +0000

It is hard for me, someone living in WI where we spend 6 months waiting for warm weather and sun, to imagine why anyone would want to spend their free time in Antarctica, where mean temperatures in the warmest month range from 5° to -49°F. Yes, you read correctly – the warmest month. For you amply bronzed, vitamin-D saturated, curious folk just dying to get a taste of misery, consider yourself lucky: I can't imagine this grant has too much competition.

Antarctic Artists and Writers Program

PURPOSE: To enable serious writings and works of art that exemplify the Antarctic heritage of humankind. To increase public understanding of the Antarctic region, including the continent and the surrounding oceans, as well as the associated research and education endeavors. Opportunities for professional artists and writers to travel to Antarctica — at research stations, field camps, and aboard ships — to make the observations necessary to complete their proposed projects.

AMOUNT: Travel and field support.

ELIGIBILITY: Established artists and writers as well as early career artists and writers in an effort to broaden participation.

DEADLINE: June 13, 2006.

Jurassic Funding Opportunity

findfunding — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 19:06:36 +0000

You grew out of the dinosaur pajamas around age 8 and 14 you stopped sleeping with your tattered T-Rex (or at least stopped admitting it), but the fascination with dinosaurs rests. Here is a perfect opportunity for you to spend days digging in the dirt and get paid for it.

The Jurassic Foundation Research Grants

PURPOSE: To undertake research on aspects of dinosaur paleobiology.

AMOUNT: Up to $5,000. Most grants are $1,000 – $3,000.

ELIGIBILITY: Qualified research scientists and students. Preference will be given to students, postdoctoral researchers, and other researchers with limited funding opportunities. International researchers encouraged to apply.

DEADLINE: March 15 and October 15

Teachers Take Over Korea

findfunding — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 17:00:53 +0000

Did you became a teacher to have the summers off and then realized your meager salary wasn’t enough to actually go on vacations more than 60 miles from your hometown? Well, look no further: now is your chance to visit Korea, spend 12 days there and have your only responsibility be sharing the good times you had when you get back. You need not know anything about Korea, nor speak the language.

Korean Studies Workshop

PURPOSE: To enhance mutual understanding between the people of Korea and the United States by inviting educators to visit Korea and then share their experiences with fellow Americans upon their return.

AMOUNT: Fully-funded trip to Korea

ELIGIBILITY: Employed full-time as a secondary (6 thru 12)teacher of social studies, OR a secondary school principal or assistant principal, OR a curriculum coordinator with influence over social studies curriculum in secondary schools, OR a textbook writer with influence over social studies curriculum or textbooks for secondary schools. Must be a US citizen and a resident of the US at the time of application.

DEADLINE: May 4th, 2006.

Live in a Cabin in the Woods in Montana and get paid?

findfunding — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 16:46:08 +0000

Even though we are afraid it will brand us as potential Unabombers, a part deep down in many artists really would love to live deep in the nature of Montana while working on personal projects. Well, here is your chance to do just that – and get paid to do it. I would hurry up and apply for this because with the "war on terror" it is only a matter of time before the Department of Homeland Security investigates it as a training ground for domestic terrorists.

NAME: Montana Artist Refuge

PURPOSE: The Refuge offers affordable short and long-term living and studio spaces for artists of all disciplines.

AMOUNT: The Refuge provides some fully funded residencies each year. In addition to the fully funded residencies, scholarships and financial assistance with rent are available.

ELIGIBILITY: Artists of all Disciplines are eligble. Fully funded programs exist for American Indians, Writers, and MFA students.

DEADLINE: June 15, 2006

MORE INFO: www.montanaartistsrefuge.org

NYC Social Justice Fellowship

findfunding — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 18:55:45 +0000

Are you passionate about social justice and have a great idea about how you can transform that passion into real change? Check out the NYC Social Justice Fellowship, now accepting applications.

PURPOSE: Support for change agents who have innovative public interest projects that address critical issues such as immigrants’ rights, environmental justice, health, the arts, workers’ rights, civic participation, education, and equitable economic development.

AMOUNT: Stipend in the amount of $42,500 over 15 months. Project support in the amount of $2,000. Contribution towards health insurance and tuition reimbursement up to $13,000, depending on demonstrated need.

ELIGIBILITY: Applicants from diverse backgrounds and at all stages of life who wish to employ their skills in creating innovative public interest projects aimed at transforming and empowering communities. Must complete work in New York City. Age is not a factor.

DEADLINE: May 1st, 2006.

MORE INFO:NYC Social Justice Fellowship

The Watson Fellowship

findfunding — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 18:41:03 +0000

Do you have a dream to go around the world and braid hair, study basketball as a force for change in three continents or hang out with Punk kids in Europe? Well, the Waston Fellowship seems to think ideas like that are worthy of up to $25,000. You must be a college senior graduating from one of the almost 50 participating institutions.

PURPOSE: Grant for independent study and travel outside the U.S.

AMOUNT: $25,000 ($35,000 if you are traveling with a spouse or dependent child).

ELIGIBILITY: Must be a graduating college senior from one of the 50 participating institutions.

DEADLINE: Local deadlines vary. Completed application to Watson must be submitted electronically by the fist Tuesday in November, annually.

MORE INFORMATION: www.watsonfellowship.org

Five Steps to Success in Contacting Potential Funders

findfunding — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 17:32:28 +0000

Contacting a potential funder before submitting an application is a great way to be sure that you qualify for their grants, and to get an inside perspectiveon what makes an application competitive. Follow these steps for success in contacting funders.

1. DO WHAT THEY ASK YOU TO DO Funders may specify on their website how they want to be contacted the first time. Honor these requests, e.g. if they ask to approached by email, do not call. Be sure you have the correct contact number or email and name. This shows you care enough to have done your homework.

2. PLAY DETECTIVE
Find out as much about the foundation and their program as you can before you call. Look on their website, read their annual report, and search local newspapers for their name. Get a good idea that your program is appropriate from them.

3. HAVE A CONCRETE IDEA
Before you approach them, be sure you have a good idea what your program will look like. Write down a three-paragraph summary of your idea using these questions to guide you: Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? This way you will be prepared to answer tough questions about your proposed project.

4. ASK INTELLIGENT QUESTIONS
There may be no stupid questions, but some smart questions can make you look stupid – especially if they have already been answered on their website. Draft a couple of questions in advance and be sure that you cannot find the answer to them anywhere else.

5. BE RESPECTFUL, COURTEOUS AND GRATEFUL
If all goes well, these funders will be financing your dreams and you certainly want to show them the proper respect for the opportunity to ask them to do so.

Tips for Submitting a Successful Proposal

findfunding — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 17:21:12 +0000

Many funders say that up to 80% of grant applications arrive with careless mistakes that could have been easily avoided. Follow these hints to increase your chances of success.

1. MEET DEADLINES
Funders set deadlines for a variety of reasons, one of which is to narrow their wide pool of applicants by automatically rejecting those that arrive late. Get your application in on time.

2. READ DIRECTIONS THOUROUGHLY AND FOLLOW THEM CAREFULLY
Some funders want attachments, others hate them. Some request 10 hard copies of your application, others only accept those submitted online. Some funders have two addresses, and only accept proposals at one of them. All of these details are carefully outlined in their application guidelines so that you can be sure to do the right thing.

3. PLAN AHEAD
Computers crash. Copy machines break down. Project partners forget deadlines. The Post Office loses mail. Traffic accidents bring traffic to a standstill. And Murphy's Law ensures that the less time you have to deal with these problems, the more likely they are to happen. Give yourself enough time to deal with the unexpected. If you work better under pressure, set a false deadline a week before the real deadline.

4. COMPLETE THE APPLICATION
This seems very obvious, but you would be shocked at how many half-finished applications arrive on funders' desks. Enclose all the attachments they ask for and answer all the questions. If you do not know an answer, figure it out. Leaving it blank won't make it go away, but it will make the funder think twice about giving you money.

5. PROOFREAD
Simple typos can leave a bad impression or, even worse, change the meaning of your rant proposal. Having too many typos is like airing your dirty laundry out in pubic. Consonants and bowels getting mixed up can be embarrassing enough to make you want to diet. The last thing you want is to fill the grant review session with slaughter, thanks to all the terrors in your application. Let another applicant do that: maybe the Starvation Army or Untied Way.