The scope of potential sponsors for university research, development and training programs is much larger than is commonly assumed. There are over 100 categories of federally-funded aid programs as listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) and over 24,000 private foundations that offer support for selected projects in higher education. Add to these numerous local, state, and regional public agencies, the hundreds of grant-making organizations in the nonprofit service sector (such as the Social Science Research Council and the American Cancer Society) and the corporate sector, and the range of potential sponsors is large.
There is considerable diversity in the structure and operation of Research and Development (R&D) support programs. Each is uniquely chartered. Staffing patterns among them vary considerably. Most operate on an independent timetable. And, of course, each is responsive to a unique and ever-changing set of funding priorities and budgetary constraints.
NOTE: It is important that you gather sufficient information
to get an accurate view of a sponsor’s operating authority, mission,
methods of procedure, staffing patterns, and funding priorities if you wish
to develop a fully responsive proposal.
