Fellowships and Grant Submissions

At this stage in your career it's important to start learning how to secure funding, but figuring out how to search for and apply to fellowships and grants can be overwhelming. Here are some resources to help you make sense of the funding process.

Where should I look for funding?

OHSU Research Development is a program within the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research that provides advice, consultation, and training for OHSU researchers. For help locating funding opportunities, contact them at funding@ohsu.edu.

Other OHSU-specific funding opportunities:

Other funding databases:

  • OHSU InfoEd - This is the tool used to create and submit proposals, and it also has one of the largest funding opportunity databases in the world.
  • OHSU Funding Database - A hand-curated database for OHSU researchers that tracks opportunities of particular interest in our community, including limited submissions. Your OHSU username and password is required to access the database.
  • Foundation Directory Online - The Foundation Directory Online provides comprehensive information on U.S. private foundations and the grants they offer. You can search this database by specific foundation or by grant opportunity. Links are available to foundation websites, IRS filings, and philanthropy news. To log in to the Foundation Directory Online, please follow the link on the OHSU Library website. 
  • Grants.gov - Grants.gov allows organizations to electronically find and apply for competitive grant opportunities from federal grant-making agencies. You can register to receive email notifications regarding grant announcements from Grants.gov site and customize these email alerts based on funding opportunity number, selected agencies and categories of funding activities, selected interests and eligibility groups, or all grant notices. After subscribing, you will receive announcements of both new grants and modifications of existing grant announcements. 
  • NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts - The NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts focuses specifically on grants and contracts available through the National Institutes of Health. This is the official publication for NIH medical and behavioral research grant policies, guidelines, and funding opportunities. The NIH considers applications for the support of basic or clinical biomedical, behavioral, and bioengineering research. Sign up to get weekly email notifications from the NIH Table of Contents to learn about funding opportunities and recent announcements. 
  • RePORTER - The NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tool Expenditures and Reports database, or RePORTER, is a searchable database of federally funded biomedical research projects conducted at universities, hospitals, and other research institutions. You can search the database by PI, institution, state, and many others. You can also find publications attached to funded grants, the roster of the study section that reviewed it, and other useful information. While it does not display open requests for proposals, it is a great tool for identifying the kind and type of grants awarded by NIH.  

How do I apply for funding?

The OHSU Office of Proposal & Award Management provides pre- and post-award management to the OHSU community. In general, this is the grant application process for OHSU:

  • Work with your department's Grant Coordinator at least 6 to 8 weeks prior to a grant application due date to learn the route for approval process through InfoEd
  • Make sure to begin the routing process at least 14 days in advance of the grant due date
  • Celebrate your hard work!

Please note that many funding agencies require changes to your payroll status at OHSU which can impact your benefits, taxes, and visa eligibility. Make sure to read all the fine print of a funding announcement. Reach out to the OPA (opa@ohsu.edu) early and often with questions.

How do I get grant support at OHSU?

OHSU offers many supports to help postdoctoral scholars find funding opportunities, write grant proposals and scientific manuscripts, and much more.

  • OHSU Research Development is a program within the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research that provides advice, consultation, and training for OHSU researchers. This program serves as the communication hub for information related to grants, research administration, and other key tools for investigators. Research Development offers services such as:
  • Grant Writing and Editing Service's goal is to help you become a more productive grant writer - better at formulating your ideas in writing, targeting your audience, promoting your ideas, and editing your work. Individualized services are available for postdoctoral fellows. Contact funding@ohsu.edu for more information. 
  • OCTRI Design Studios are set up to provide feedback on career development grant proposals. Design Studios invite members of the senior OHSU research community, mentors, multidisciplinary faculty, and interested partners to listen to a short presentation of your proposal, ask question, and provide feedback on your specific aims, research methodology, and career development plans. For more information contact Dr. Cindy Morris or Melissa Mudd. An OCTRI Design Studio may be valuable for anyone preparing to submit the following types of proposals:
    • Career development awards, including NIH K awards
    • Veterans Affairs career development awards
    • Foundation career development awards
    • Transitions from career development awards to first R grants
  • Contact Melissa Mudd to access examples of successful past career development grant applications and research proposals, such a K awards!