Dispelling Common Misconceptions about Federal Grants: Unlocking Success with Grants Intelligence Service (GIS)
There are several common misconceptions about federal grants. Some of the most common include: grants equate to free money; only elite schools are competitive; and the federal grant landscape for higher education is limited and daunting. There are resources out there to help simplify this process. In this month’s blog, our goal is to debunk some of these common misconceptions and set the record straight.
Misconception #1: Federal Grants Are Free Money
Many believe federal grants are free money that can be used for any purpose. While this would be nice, it is not true! Grants are designated for specific projects or purposes and come with stringent requirements on how the funds can be used. They are designed to align with strategic funder priorities.
Solution: GIS provides resources to help quickly identify and vet federal funding opportunities that are the right fit for your school.
Misconception 2: Receiving a Grant is Quick and Easy
Each federal agency has their own set of rules, expectations, and funding allocations. Some grants are small and focused on specific short-term projects, while others are larger and intended for long-term research and development. Understanding the differences can help you target the right grant opportunities for your institution. The process of applying for and receiving a grant can take several months from application submission to the disbursement of funds.
Solution: GIS provides applicants with program specific resources, such as overview memos, data-tip sheets, previously funded proposals etc. Additionally, members have access to federal grant advisors to assist in this process.
Misconception 3: Grants are Only for Science and Research
While a lot of federal grants do focus on scientific research, there’s money out there for all sorts of initiatives. Education, the arts, community outreach, and student support services are just a few areas where grants are available for colleges and universities.
Solution: GIS provides members with an annual cabinet level briefing to help institutions align federal grants with institutional priorities.
Misconception 4: Only Top-Ranked Schools Get Federal Grants
The truth is, federal grants are available to a wide range of institutions, not just the Ivy League or top-tier schools. Community colleges, regional universities, and even smaller private colleges are highly competitive, and eligible, to receive federal funding. The key is aligning your projects and goals with the criteria set by the granting agencies and knowing which opportunities are the right fit for your institution.
Solution: GIS is the only database and interactive membership service with federal grants intelligence and resources curated specifically for small to mid-sized institutions of higher education.
Federal Grant Opportunities for Small Colleges and Institutions
Let’s look at a couple of federal grants where small institutions have found great success:
Department of Labor (DOL) Strengthening Community Colleges (SCC5) Training Grants Program (Link)
The purpose of this program is to build community colleges’ capacity to meet the skill development needs of employers and equitably support students in obtaining good jobs in in demand industries, based on labor market information, using strategies rooted in evidence and designed to build further evidence on the effectiveness of sector-based career pathways programs in leading to positive employment outcomes. Grantees will enhance sector-based career pathways programs using strategies rooted in evidence and designed to build further evidence on the effectiveness of sector-based career pathways programs in leading to positive employment outcomes.
Due date: September 24, 2024
Award Amount: $1.75M – $5.75M over 4 tears
National Science Foundation (NSF) Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Program (S-STEM) (Link)
The NSF S-STEM program provides scholarships to academically talented low-income students to study and implement a program of activities that support the institutions recruitment, retention, and graduation in STEM.
Due date: March 4, 2025
Award Amount: $1M – $3M over 6 years
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Humanities Connections (Link)
This program seeks to expand the role of the humanities in undergraduate education at two- and four-year institutions by encouraging partnerships between humanities faculty and their counterparts in other areas of study. Awards support the planning or implementation of curricular projects connecting the humanities to the physical and natural sciences; pre-service or professional programs, including law and business; computer science, data science, and other technology-driven fields; or other non-humanities departments or schools.
Due date: September 5, 2025
Award Amount: $50K – $150K over 1 – 2 years
NACU Podcast: Unlocking Pivotal Funding Opportunities through Federal Grants
Federal grants can be a fantastic resource for institutions of higher education, providing much-needed funds to support innovative projects and improve student experiences. On NACU’s podcast series, Connect, Collaborate, Champion, McAllister & Quinn’s Senior Vice President, Dr. Jessica Gerrity and President of The New American College & Universities (NACU), Sean Creighton speak to the ways in which grant funding can provide resources to help colleges and universities achieve goals they otherwise couldn’t without external dollars. In episode 45, titled “Grant Funding Strategies for Colleges and Universities,” they delve into ways that institutions might leverage outside support to navigate the funding process.
Grants Intelligence Service (GIS)
GIS is a membership service designed specifically to help colleges and universities navigate and win federal grants. Membership provides access to the tools and intelligence needed to develop a culture of grant-seeking on campus, get up-to-date information on federal competitions and deadlines, and submit competitive grant proposals.
Grants Intelligence Service provides prospecting resources and tools to help make grant seeking a priority on your campus. Schedule a free demo today to learn more!