Where do you find grants?

[RoboMom]

I got the question “Where do you find grants?”

This is a huge topic, but I thought I would start a discussion. There are no simple answers. Often the best grants for local teams are from local organizations. Those teams with a business plan (and a plan for sustainability) and who keep track of their alumni are positioned better to respond quickly.

The local FIRST regional staff (Regional Director/Assistant Regional Director/Senior Mentor/VISTA-depending on the region) sometimes can steer a team towards a grant opportunity.

As part of the “Race to the Top” funding there has been tremendous focus on the STEM fields in education. (There is also a mad dash going on in health care, but that is a different topic!) Most of the states are scrambling.

Most organizations (especially universities and state dept. of education and non-profits) will be aware of the RFPs (Request for Proposals) and how to find them.

This one focuses on mentoring in STEM, specifically for underrepresented groups. I am posting this as an example of one which also allows submissions from individuals (but need to be connected to an organization eligible to be a NSF awardee).

PAESMEM also has awards for excellence in teaching.

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM)
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf1052...mc_id=USNSF_25