Academic scholars often receive funding to support their research. While much funding is directed toward the sciences, those in the humanities will also find grants that fund their projects. Anyone who seriously wishes to find funding should research possibilities using sources such as those under the Resources section below. Many sources, such as state or foundation funding, are given to people based on their region. They can supplement or serve as an alternative to any major sources of funding.
Environment
The National Science Foundation funds many environmental research projects. Oceanography and other areas of water science are a highly funded area. The EPA's Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program also funds environmental and engineering research.
Health
The National Institutes of Health supports research in the medical field, as do many private foundations. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation also provides much funding for health research. Major areas of funding for the NIH and many foundations include neuroscience, cancer, HIV/AIDS and obesity.
Computers and Engineering
Many grants support the improvement of computer systems and software. The National Science Foundation offers grants related to cyberinfrastructure and other technologies. The American Society of Civil Engineers, the Engineering Information Foundation, the National Academy of Engineering and many others support research in this field.
Psychology and Social Sciences
Many grants support the study of normal and abnormal human development. Some, such as the NSF's Social Psychology Program, support the study of societies from a psychological perspective. The American Psychological Association also lists such grants. Other grants support cultural studies research and economic research.
Mathematics
The American Mathematical Society and the National Security Agency sponsor mathematical research, as does the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The National Science Foundation also offers awards in the area of mathematics.
Languages
Some grants support the archiving of languages, as well as the study of languages. The Endangered Language Fund and the Foundation for Endangered Languages support such research. Others, such as the Sociological Initiatives Foundation, support research on proliferating endangered languages, and some support linguistic studies.
Education
General education research grants, as well as field-specific education research grants, support projects that explore help students learn more effectively. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, for instance, funds the creation of lesson materials that connect math to other fields, as described on the Michigan State University Library's grants website.
Arts and Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities funds endeavors related to many areas of the arts and humanities. The National Endowment for the Arts supports many types of artistic projects also, from dance to the visual arts.
Other Categories
A number of grants support women's research in the fields of math, science and technology. The American Association of University Women lists many such awards. Other awards are geared toward minority scholars. Meanwhile, some grants support travel to conferences or research sites. Additionally, fellowships such as Fulbright grants support academic exchange between universities and countries, while helping fellows to build their expertise. The Michigan State University Library's grants website is an excellent place to search for research grants in any field.
Tags: grants support, National Science, National Science Foundation, research grants, Science Foundation, education research