Most agencies within the executive branch of the federal government, as well as most “independent” federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), can be viewed as potential sponsors of specific university research, development, and/or training programs.
Each federal agency exists to fulfill a mission mandated by Congress. When a particular department supports a project at a university, it does so to fulfill its mission, not only to reward a worthy Principal Investigator or to assist the university. Federal agencies respond favorably only to those proposals that are mission-supportive. Fortunately, an agency’s mission is easy to determine. In most instances, it is inherent in the agency title. A comprehensive catalog of federal agency mission statements is published annually in the United States Government Manual.
Since the mission of federal agencies is invariably broad and multifaceted, the work of the agency is carried out through a hierarchy of divisions, programs, and offices, each Congressionally mandated and supported through annual fiscal appropriations. When you develop a proposal for a federal agency, therefore, you need to understand not only the agency mission, but also its program structure to target your proposal appropriately.
A surprising fact is that numerous federal agencies support basic research on college and university campuses. Among scientists, of course, the National Science Foundation is noted for its support of basic research. That, in part, is its mission. Similarly, the National Endowment for the Humanities is mandated to support basic humanistic research. But numerous other federal agencies support mission-related basic research. Most notable in this respect is the National Institutes of Health (part of the Public Health Service, PHS), which “conducts and supports biomedical research into the causes, prevention, and cure of diseases” in order “ to improve the health of the American people.” The Department of Defense also supports elected basic research projects in the life, physical, and social sciences as do the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Agriculture, Education, Energy, and several others.
Similar to federal agencies, state agencies exist to fulfill a specific legislated mission. When a state agency sponsors a university research, development, or training project, it does so to fulfill its mission, which is more limited than that of federal agencies. Federal agencies typically sponsor projects of national or universal significance. State agencies fund projects which benefit the people of the state. Basic research proposals are, therefore, more likely to be appropriate for consideration by a federal sponsor since they are universally significant.
Typically, foundation awards support “action,” “service oriented,” or applied activities as opposed to basic research. By law, all foundations operate on the basis of a charter. Their fiscal activities, as well as their charters, are a matter of public matter. To determine the likelihood of support from a foundation, it is important to consult the foundations charter and, using other easily available resources, to review the foundations grant record.
All of the larger national foundations retain a professional staff to conduct their affairs. Many produce annual reports, distribute program announcements to the general public, and have staff members available for consultation. Foundations tend to conduct business less formally than government agencies. They rarely set program deadlines, opting instead to accept applications year-round, and they are usually anxious to collaborate with promising grantees in the preparation of formal requests for grant support. Typically, one initiates dialogue with members of a foundation staff by submitting a carefully tailored letter or concept statement briefly describing the proposed project and its significance.
Support for university programs is available from a wide range of nonprofit, public service organizations. Some are “special purpose” organizations, such as the American Council of Learned Societies, the Social Science Research Council, the American Cancer Society, and the local American Heart Association. Others are “discipline-oriented,” such as the Center for Applied Linguistics and the American Political Science Association. Most publish newsletters or periodicals to inform constituents about funding opportunities. Some administer small grant programs offering support to individuals in the forms of fellowships and scholarships.
Businesses and corporations sponsor university research and development on
a selective basis. Usually, though not always, projects sponsored by businesses
or corporations are related to their product or sphere of activity, or at
least promise to directly benefit those communities in which the firms reside.
It is in this area where issues of liability, indemnification, and intellectual
property are most significant. The university has a template research agreement
for use in relationships with businesses and corporations; contact the Managing
Director of OSP for this sample agreement.
