External funders are institutions that provide funding opportunities that are not a part of the University of Pittsburgh. There are external funders that act as national organizations, agencies of the United States government, private foundations, and more. Access the menus below for information about each funder, as well as helpful links to guide researchers across their respective funding opportunities.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
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The NIH is the United States' medical research agency. Made up of 27 different Institutes and Centers, billions of dollars in research funding opportunities are available annually that stretch across a vast array of medical research areas.
- OSP NIH Proposal Development Resources Page
- NIH Mission & Goals
- NIH Find Grant Funding
- Search NIH Awarded Grants
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Grant Writing Webinar Series
- NIH Virtual Seminar on Program Funding and Grants Administration (recordings)
- Diversity-Related Funding
- NIH-focused Webinars for Pitt Faculty
- Follow NIH on Twitter
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
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The National Science Foundation, an independent federal agency, was created in 1950 to, "promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense...." As an entity, it aims to support research in fields of fundamental science and engineering.
- National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
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The National Endowment for the Humanities serves as one of the largest funders of humanities programs in the United States. Like the NIH and NSF, the NEH is another independent federal agency that supports research through grants and other funding opportunities.
- Department of Education (DoEd)
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The United States Department of Education supports research on education from pre-school age through higher and adult education.
- Department of Defense (DoD)
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The Department of Defense is the largest of the United States government agencies. Through many subsects of the DoD there is funding available for research in areas such as: physics, materials, computer science, mathematics, etc.
- Department of Energy (DoE)
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The United States Department of Energy supports research related to energy across a variety of subjects, including computing, biological and environmental research, energy sciences, physics, and more.
- DoE Mission Statement
- DoE Office of Science: SC Office of Grants and Contracts Support
- DoE Office of Science Funding Opportunities
- DoE Office of Science Awards Search
- DoE Office of Science Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) Plans
- DoE Office of Science PIER Plan FAQs
- DoE Office of Science Conference Proposal Guidelines
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
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A part of the Department of Defense, DARPA was formed to cultivate and develop innovative technology to be used by the U.S. military.
- National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
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The National Endowment for the Arts is a federal agency that serves as the largest funder of arts and arts education in the United States. One of the agency's primary activities is grantmaking.
- Other Federal Agencies
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- Agency for Internation Development (USAID)
- Supports research that is intended to produce knowledge that will offer solutions to specific development challenges including broad-based economic growth; environment; population, health and nutrition; democracy; and providing humanitarian assistance and aiding post-crisis transitions.
- Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Supports food and agriculture research, including biotechnology, genomics, pest management, biofuels, and childhood obesity.
- Department of Commerce
- Supports projects that foster economic growth and the creation of new American jobs to ensure sustainable economic opportunities.
- Economic Development Administration (EDA)
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Supports projects to create jobs and advance global competitiveness.
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- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
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Supports research that will improve the scientific basis for national environmental decisions.
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- Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Supports research on housing, urban issues and policy analysis
- Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Agency (IARPA)
- Invests in high-risk, high-payoff research programs to tackle some of the most difficult challenges of the agencies and disciplines in the Intelligence Community.
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Seeks to develop innovative technologies, knowledge, and infrastructures to support decisions for human exploration and to promote international and commercial participation in U.S. exploration efforts.
- National Institute of Justice
- Provides grants for research, development and evaluation projects relating to criminal justice and forensic laboratory enhancement. Also funds research fellowships.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
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Supports research on the structure and behavior of the ocean, atmosphere, and related ecosystems.
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- Nuclear Regulatory Commission
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Supports education and research on nuclear materials safety and other nuclear-related issues.
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- State Department -- Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
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Supports academic, cultural and professional exchange and training programs.
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- Agency for Internation Development (USAID)
- Private Funders & Foundations
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Private Foundations
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Pitt's Corporate and Foundation Relations Service assists faculty with funding opportunities from private foundations that are philanthropic in nature.
Sabbatical Opportunities
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Learn More
The Research Development team's Find Funding Workshops are another resource if interested in learning more about a particular external funder. To explore opportunities from a variety of external funders organized by broad discipline, the Funding by Broad Field page is available.