BU has built a robust support system for both internal and external funding opportunities, making it simple to customize your search and save time and mental energy.
We suggest you make COS Pivot your first stop. Pivot compiles a wide variety of federal, non-federal, foundation, corporate, and private funding opportunities for any discipline.
COS Pivot
Boston University is proud to offer the
COS Pivot service to any faculty or staff with an @bu.edu email address. This database is updated on a daily basis and offers a wide variety of federal, non-federal, foundation, and private funding opportunities for any discipline. With the BU subscription, members can save search criteria and receive weekly updates on new and upcoming funding opportunities.
Get COS Pivot Training
Grant Forward
Grant Forward (formerly Illinois Researcher Information Service or IRIS) is another portal for searching and saving funding opportunities. While Boston University does not have a subscription to the full Grant Forward service package, they do offer a 14 day free trial for interested users. The search function, however, is open to the public.
InfoEd (BMC)
InfoEd is an electronic research administration tool. It is only available by subscription and is not open to the BU community. Investigators and administrators who submit through Boston Medical Center use this system.
A lot of BU’s sponsored funding comes from federal agencies. Reach out to BU’s Federal Relations office to learn more.
Large Funding Opportunities
Are you looking for funding to establish a research center or support large research collaborations? Check out this compendium from Lewis-Burke Associates on federal resources for large research centers, including information on opportunities available at the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Transportation.
Flagship funding opportunities across federal agencies (Updated April 2022; Kerberos log-in required)
Grants.gov
Grants.gov combines funding opportunities for 26 federal grant making agencies and over 1,000 funding opportunities. It is equipped with search functions, relevant forms and documents, and easy access to program officers. Both Boston University Charles River Campus and Medical Campus have unique DUNS numbers registered through grants.gov.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guide
The
NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts is the official publication for
NIHNational Institutes of Health medical and behavioral research grant policies, guidelines, and funding opportunities. NIH Guide announcements (PAs, RFAs, and Notices) are published daily.
National Science Foundation (NSF) Guide to Programs
The NSF Guide to Programs lists funding opportunities by research area, investigator eligibility, date of posting, due dates, and other filters. This site is specific only to NSFNational Science Foundation funding opportunities.
Additional Sources of Federal Funding
Foundation Funding
- Foundation Relations exists to help members of the BU community secure foundation support for their research, teaching, and outreach projects.
- Candid (formerly the Foundation Center) maintains a comprehensive database on US and, increasingly, global grantmakers and their grants — a robust, accessible knowledge bank for the sector. It also operates research, education, and training programs designed to advance knowledge of philanthropy at every level.
Industry Funding
If you’ve heard from a company interested in your work or are considering industry collaboration or a corporate gift, reach out to BU Industry Engagement. Often, companies are looking to license technologies or discuss the potential for joint research projects, both of which are great ways to fund interesting projects. Industry Engagement can help you learn more about a company’s needs, explore how they fit with your own research areas, and ensure the company’s requests are in line with BU’s research, policies, and educational mission.
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Institutionally Limited Opportunities
Limited submissions are funding opportunities which limit the number of applications or nominations an institution may put forward.
Learn More
BU Opportunities & Listings
BU Funding Opportunities
Internal Listings & Resources
Student Funding Sources
Topic Index
- WEB BU Seed Funding & Other Research Grants Updated March 26, 2018
- WEB COS Pivot Database Updated September 7, 2016
- WEB Dimensions Database Updated July 29, 2019
- WEB Find Funding Updated July 14, 2016
- WEB Foundation Relations Updated December 19, 2016
- WEB Funding Announcements Updated November 4, 2019
- WEB Funding Opportunities for Early Career Investigators Updated September 28, 2021
- WEB Limited Submissions Updated July 14, 2016
- WEB Local Funding Sources Updated August 5, 2016
- WEB Negotiating Industry Agreements Updated August 1, 2016
- WEB Recognition Opportunities Updated July 14, 2016
- WEB SciVal Database Updated June 23, 2021
- WEB Signature Authority Updated August 3, 2016
If you have questions or need help, please contact one of the specialists. You can email them directly or feel free to call. Office information can be found below.
Contacts
