Finding Funding

Get started with Pivot

Pivot-RP is the most comprehensive funding database used by the world's top research institutions. Any MSU user may create or claim a profile to begin using the search features of Pivot.

Please access Pivot HERE and select MSU from the "Institution Affiliation" drop-down menu to begin. This will allow you to sign in with your MSU Central Authentication (duo) credentials. If you create an account, please use your NetID@msstate.edu email.

    Schedule a consultation with the Office of Research Development to explore potential funding sources.

    Comprehensive Databases

    Grants.gov

    Sam.gov (formerly FedBizOpps)

    Federal and State Agencies

    The Federal Register has a search-enabled list of links to all Federal Agencies; many include “sub-agencies,” such as the U.S. National Laboratories.

    Mississippi’s public-funded agencies are listed here: www.mississippi.gov/agencies

    Institutional Resources

    Pivot-RP

    ORED Internal Funding

     

    Private Grantmakers (corporate and non-profit/foundations) Examples include:

    Other Sources to Explore

    Professional, academic, or discipline-specific organizations – If you are seeking smaller amounts of funding to enable data collection, travel for presentation or dissemination of findings, etc., look to your professional, academic, and social affiliations for opportunities.

    Other educational institutions, funded national centers & institutes in your field – Consider partnering with collaborators at other institutions and potentially receiving a subaward for your role in the project.

    Best Practices for Funding Searches

    The right funding opportunity for your project is the one that best aligns your idea and expertise with the goals and purpose of the funder. To locate appropriate sources of funding, it is important to use a variety of approaches and resources. Here are some best practices for identifying funding opportunities:

    • Understand what agencies want to fund. Take time to learn about current initiatives, long- and short-term priorities, and strategic plans of potential funding sources.
    • Research funding cycles and standard mechanisms. Agency websites provide detailed information about current and on-going programs, as well as forecasts for new funding opportunities and instructions for submitting unsolicited proposals, if applicable.
    • Know your competition and the relevance of your idea in the funding environment. Explore databases of recent awards by an agency to evaluate the novelty or competitiveness of your idea. Identify colleagues who’ve received funding for similar or complementary work.
    • Examine trends in legislative and administrative policy. Consider trends in public affairs. How is the funding climate affected by the political environment and funding appropriations?
    • Determine who are beneficiaries of your proposed work. Who or what entities stand to benefit from your project? If not a federal agency, would an industry, non-profit, or other type of funder have a vested interest in your proposed activities, outcomes, or products?
    • Consider your career trajectory. Many funders have specific programs for early career faculty or for institutions/investigators who have not previously received significant funding.
    • Ask about unsolicited proposals. Many funders accept unsolicited proposals if the project's goals are aligned with the mission of the sponsor. Prepare a concept paper and reach out to the cognizant program official to inquire.