A major component of the Ph.D. and any postdoctoral career is research. However, some doctoral scholars and graduates find it difficult to secure funding for research projects and publications. Below is a list of research funding opportunities. 

Humanities

The Wenner-Gren Foundation Post-Ph.D. Research Grant is awarded to individuals who hold a doctorate to support individual research projects in anthropology. The program contributes to the foundation’s mission to support research in anthropology and to ensure that the discipline continues to be a source of vibrant and significant work that furthers the understanding of humanity’s cultural and biological origins, development and variation.

Amount: $20,000

Deadlines: May 1 and November 1

The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation welcomes proposals from any of the natural and social sciences and the humanities that increase understanding of the causes, manifestations, and control of violence and aggression. Highest priority is given to research that can increase understanding and amelioration of urgent problems of violence and aggression in the modern world.

Amount: $15,000 to $40,000 per year for periods of one or two years

Deadline: August 1

The National Endowment for the Humanities’ collaborative research grants support interpretive humanities research undertaken by two or more collaborating scholars, for full-time or part-time activities for periods of one to three years.

Amount: Not listed

Deadline: December 6

 

Health/Medicine

The Oncology Nursing Society Foundation Research Grant Program provides financial support for two of the major goals of the ONS research agenda: (1) increase the knowledge base for oncology nursing practice, and (2) prepare future oncology nurse researchers.

Amount: 1) $25,000 for an investigator-initiated research project or 2) Special topic research grants in amounts greater than $25,000

ONS also offers researcher career development awards for $20,000

Deadline: Multiple deadlines for various grants.

The American Federation for Aging Research Grant for Junior Faculty assists in the development of the careers of junior investigators who are committed to pursuing careers in aging research. AFAR supports research projects concerned with understanding the mechanisms of aging. 

Amount: Up to $100,000 for a one- to two-year award

Deadline: To be determined

The Alzheimer’s Association Research Grant to Promote Diversity offers awards up to three years (minimum two years) to increase the number of scientists from underrepresented groups at academic institutions in Alzheimer’s or related dementias research.

Amount: Limited to $150,000 for up to three years

Deadline: To be determined

 

Social and Behavioral Sciences

The National Bureau of Economic Research Pre-Doctoral Fellowship in Disability Policy Research encourages research that deepens understanding of the health and economic implications of disability and disability policy. The NBER Disability Research Center, with funding from the United States Social Security Administration, offers pre- and post-doctoral fellowship opportunities.

Amount: $22,476 stipend, fellowship also provides limited funds for tuition, health insurance, research expenses and travel

Deadline (application period): March-April

The National Bureau of Economic Research Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Disability Policy Research encourages research that deepens understanding of the health and economic implications of disability and disability policy. The NBER Disability Research Center, with funding from the United States Social Security Administration, offers pre- and post-doctoral fellowship opportunities.

Amount: $60,000 – $74,000 stipend, fellowship also provides limited funds for tuition, health insurance, research expenses and travel

Deadline (application period): October-December  

The Charles J. Gelso, Ph.D., Psychotherapy Research Grant provide three grants toward the advancement of research on psychotherapy process and/or outcome.

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: April 1

The Institute for Humane Studies Scholarship awards the IHS Ph.D. Scholarships each year to promising students who are dedicated to developing, teaching, and applying the principles of a free society.

Amount: $1,500

Deadline: February 28, 2017

The William T. Grant Foundation Research Grant funds research that increases our understanding of programs; policies and practices that reduce inequality in youth outcomes; and research that identifies, builds, and tests strategies to improve the use of research that benefits youth. 

Amount: $100,000 – $600,000

Deadline: May 3 and August 2

 

STEM

The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Libbie H. Hyman Memorial Scholarship financially aids students who take courses on or pursue research on invertebrates at a marine, freshwater, or terrestrial field station.

Amount: $1,000 to $1,700

Deadline: February 6

The Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society Grants in Aid Research Program has provided undergraduate and graduate students with valuable educational experiences since 1922. By encouraging close-working relationships between students and mentors, the program promotes scientific excellence and achievement through hands-on learning. The awards are for all areas of the sciences and engineering. Sigma Xi also offers membership to students and advisors who offer professional development training, leadership opportunities and access to career development resources.

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: March 15 and October 1

Human Frontier Science Program Research Grants are provided to teams of scientists from different countries who combine their expertise in innovative approaches to questions that could not be answered by individual laboratories. Emphasis is placed on novel collaborations that bring together scientists preferably from different disciplines to focus on problems in life sciences.

Amount: Unlisted

Deadline: March 30, 2017

 

Business/Management

The American Hotel and Lodging Educational Foundation Research Grant provides resources for research projects that ensure continued growth and opportunities for the hotel and lodging industry and employees.

Amount: Unlisted

Deadline: March 15, June 15 and September 1

 

Unrelated to a Field of Study

American Association of University Women American Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowships assist scholars in obtaining tenure and other promotions by enabling them to spend a year pursuing independent research.

Amount: $30,000

Deadline: November 15

American Association of University Women American Fellowships Summer and Short Term Research Publication Grants provide support to scholars to prepare research manuscripts for publication and to independent researchers to prepare research for publication.

Amount: $6,000 for an eight-week grant period

Deadline: November 15

 

Education

The American Educational Research Association Minority Dissertation Fellowship Program in Education Research offers doctoral fellowships to enhance the competitiveness of outstanding minority scholars for academic appointments at major research universities. It supports fellows who are conducting education research and provides mentoring and guidance toward the completion of their doctoral studies.

Amount: $19,000 stipend, $1,000 travel support

Deadline: To be determined

The Lyle Spencer Small Research Grants Program supports education research projects with budgets of $50,000 or less. In keeping with the Spencer Foundation’s mission, this program aims to fund academic work that will contribute to the improvement of education. 

Amount: Up to $50,000

Deadline: February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1

 

Additional Resources:

National Institutes of Health, Health Services Research Fellowship Lists (fellowship funding for those in public health, health professions and health policy research).

The John A. Hartford Foundation has invested over $565 million in aging and health grants with priorities on: age-friendly health systems, family caregiving and serious illness and end of life.

Foundation Center maintains a comprehensive database on U.S. and global grant-makers.