»Seeking External Grant Funding

A successful grant application smartly aligns your project idea with the specific priorities of a grant funding agency. Federal, state, and private foundation competitions often involve an RFP (request for proposal) or other document that details the current parameters and priorities. Creating a fundable application involves both asking what project you want to do AND understanding what kinds of projects the funder is willing to support.

What are the priorities and requirements of the funding agency? How do the goals and objectives of your project fulfill them?

Want to talk it over? If you wish, please contact the Attallah College Assistant Dean of Research.

There are many sources and types of funding available to advance faculty scholarship, research, and creative activities. The links below offer some helpful resources to begin your search.

• Search using Pivot - Chapman University subscribes to Pivot, an online, searchable database that includes federal, state, local, international, and private funding opportunities. Searches can be made by funding type, funding source, keywords, deadline dates, and many other criteria. This service is free to all Chapman faculty, staff, and students when you register with your Chapman email account. Pivot also contains searchable faculty profiles, including information about research interests and recent publications. You can claim your profile and update it to receive targeted funding opportunities.
  • Pivot Quick Start - How to create your account and start searching
  • Pivot Guide to Performing a Customized Search for Funding Opportunities
  • Pivot overall guide –More in detailed guidance for the advanced user

Finding Federal or State Funding (lists below not exhaustive)

• Grants.gov- An online clearinghouse to search for grant and cooperative agreement opportunities from the 26 federal grant-making agencies. It is free to use, and individuals do not need to register to search.
• Federal (direct agency links)

• • US Department of Education (all areas)
  • National Science Foundation
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Endowment for the Humanities
  • National Endowment for the Arts
  • Fulbright Scholar Program

• State Funding
  • CA Department of Education

Private Funding

• American Council of Learned Societies Grants and Fellowships
• Research Corporation for Science Advancement
• Henry Luce Foundation
• Lilly Endowment
• Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Grants and Fellowships
• John Templeton Foundation
• William T. Grant Foundation
• Haynes Foundation Grants and Fellowships
• The Spencer Foundation

Proposal Timeline

Draft Proposal

• Draft a project narrative based on guidelines and gather documentation (e.g., biosketch, letters of support)
• Solicit feedback from colleagues and identify specific project resources needed

Develop Budget

• Plan budget with Pre-Award Staff in Sponsored Projects Services
• Use Attallah Budget Spreadsheet Non-NIH Federal Budget Templates

30 Days Before Submission

• Share draft budget with either Assistant Dean of Research or Dean of College for approval
• Notify Sponsored Projects Staff or Administrator of intent to submit proposal
• Gather subaward budgets, conflict of interest disclosures, subrecipient commitment forms (as needed)

2 – 3 Weeks Before Submission

• Initiate Proposal Routing in Cayuse SP  
• Work with Sponsored Projects Staff to complete submission package

5 Business Days Before Submission

• Provide final application to Sponsored Projects Staff for review and approval
• Complete Proposal Routing in Cayuse SP  

Federal and state laws, agency regulations, and Chapman policies dictate how grant funds are disbursed and used. Know the rules of your award. Work with the Assistant Dean of Research and appropriate College staff members to ensure timely and correct use of funds.

Officially, awards are made to Chapman University, with the responsibilities then assigned being to the Principal Investigator (PI). Sponsored Projects Services (SPS) Administrators are the institutional officials tasked with the financial monitoring and oversight of sponsored activity funds and work in conjunction with PIs and departmental grant support staff to provide post-award administration.

• Financial Management
• Project Reporting and Closeout