Three Ways to Find Grants for Your GradBlog

Grants are a form of assistance, financial or otherwise. They are often provided by governing bodies or those invested in a specific outcome. Grants are often awarded to applicants based on merit or demonstrated need. 

Each grant and grantor has its own application process and requirements. 

Before you can apply for a grant you have to know where to find one. There are aggregator websites, such as www.grants.gov and, www.canada.ca, but to focus on the federal level is to see only the tip of the iceberg. 

In seeking grants, look to these three main areas for assistance: research and education, business, and local opportunities supporting economic development.

Research and Education Grants

GradBloggers can apply for education grants, bursaries, scholarships through the Student Aid portion of the canada.ca website as well as through their own school and department. 

While research grants are often found in the same places, either the canada.ca website or via the educational institution, they are also found further abroad. For example, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council offers grants and awards to postdoctoral students and researchers. 

In the US, you can look to research councils as well as the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Grant Resource Centre. 

More: National Science Foundation, US Department of Energy, NSPIRES – NASA Research Opportunities Online, National Institutes of Health

Business Grants

Look to your local entrepreneurship center for the fast track to investors and business grants. Many of these organizations offer programs, mentorship & coaching, funding and events to facilitate relationships and foster small business development.

Also, look to organizations that offer goods and services that you may use. For example, FedEx Express Canada, who you may use for shipping, offers a small business grant. Other examples are the software company Adobe or Facebook, which began offering advertising credits in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

More: Canadian Grants Business Center, US Small Business Administration

Local Awards for Economic Growth

Lastly, look to your community organizations that may offer support and assistance with your GradBlog and your ongoing education. Opportunities may come in the form of community groups in which you or your family participates, like the Lions Club, as well as businesses at which you or your family have been employed. 

Your local Community Foundation may be a good place to start your funding research. 

More: Rotary International, Wikipedia | List of Wealthiest Charitable Foundations, Grant Space, Community Foundations of Canada

Communicating your needs may be the strongest tool in your search. 

Each of the tools we’ve shared is interconnected to another. One website with opportunities often references another which leads to another opportunity to apply for an award. Letting family, friends or collaborators know you are looking for funding may lead to yet other opportunities. Telling others about your GradBlog will allow these supporters to amplify your request. 

We’d wish you luck in your search but your determination and good work will speak for itself. Now go forth and prosper GradBloggers!

Did we miss a funding opportunity that other GradBloggers might benefit from? Share it in the comments below to spread the word.