Discovery & Funding Opportunities

Discovery, Funding Sources & Resources

Whether you are refining a new idea, identifying potential funding sources, or preparing to submit a proposal, OSPRA provides comprehensive guidance throughout the process. Our services include individualized discovery consultations, strategic planning, and access to advanced tools such as GrantForward, ensuring that your project is positioned for competitive funding. With expert resources and structured support, we help transform your vision into a viable, fundable initiative.

Discovery and Finding Funding Opportunities

I’m seeking assistance with developing my concept into a fundable project:

If you have a concept that you’d like to develop into a fundable project please contact Ann Serra, Director of OSPRA, to schedule a Discovery Consultation. Ann can be reached at: serraam@udmercy.edu | (313) 993-1428
Questions to consider for the Discovery Consultation:
- What is your specific field of research and its key terms?
- What other research is currently being conducted in this field? Are there opportunities for collaboration?
- How relevant is your research to current trends in the field? Is it innovative or forward-thinking?
- What is your plan to achieve your research objectives?
- What is the estimated time and cost required for the research?
- How will the results be evaluated, analyzed, measured, or demonstrated?
- What will a successful research project look like?
- What is the potential reach and impact of your research on students, the field, patients, the state, the nation, or the world?
- How does the proposed project align with the current sponsor’s opportunities?

I have an identified project, and I am seeking funding opportunities:

Through the support of the McNichols Library, UDM faculty, students, and administrators have complimentary access to two very robust funding search platforms GrantForward and Candid.

For assistance navigating and maximizing results please contact Michele Favoretto, Assistant Director of OSPRA at favoremi@udmercy.edu or (313) 993-1428

Need help finding the right keywords for your funding search? The library also provides professional keyword search assistance to help you get the most out of search.

GrantForward is an AI driven grant database that helps researchers find relevant federal, State, local, scholarship, foundation, and private funding opportunities. Using researcher profiles, keyword matching, and automated alerts, GrantForward streamlines the search process and connects users with grants aligned to their research interests.

Candid Foundation Directory is a comprehensive research tool that helps users identify and analyze foundations, corporate giving programs, and grantmakers. It provides detailed profiles, funding priorities, application requirements, and recent grant history to support effective grant seeking and fundraising planning.

I have identified a funding opportunity and would like to begin the proposal process:

If you have identified a funding opportunity, please ensure your Dean is aware of your intention to apply and has approved the project. Then contact Michele Favoretto (favoremi@udmercy.edu) to schedule a 1-hour Teams meeting and start the project setup in Cayuse. By the end of this meeting, we will have completed 85%-95% of the Cayuse Sponsored Project process and identified any compliance requirements. This will give the PI insights and structure for the remaining proposal tasks, enabling them to focus on the budget and narrative.

Other Funding Resources

Grants.gov:The federal government’s central portal for all grants across multiple disciplines and agencies.
The Grantsmanship Center: Search for available research funding by state and explore resources that will help you become a better grant writer.

Federal Agencies

(Select list | Also see grants.gov)

The Fulbright Program: The Fulbright Program offers grants in nearly 140 countries to further areas of education, culture, and science.
National Science Foundation: Go here when searching for awards for everything from undergraduate research grants to small business programs.

National Institutes of Health: The NIH is the world’s largest public funder of biomedical research. NIH invests most of its $45+ billion appropriations in research seeking to enhance life, and to reduce illness and disability. NIH-funded research has led to breakthroughs and new treatments helping people live longer, healthier lives, and building the research foundation that drives discovery.

US Department of Education: The DoE promotes student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. The agency provides a range of grants that support success in higher education.

Small Business Innovation Research: The SBIR/STTR programs are an essential source of early-stage technology funding for small businesses. SBIR/STTR programs have helped R&D-focused entrepreneurs and advanced research and development in various technology areas.
National Endowment for the Arts: The NEA’s Office of Research & Analysis will make awards to support research that investigates the value and/or impact of the arts, either as individual components within U.S. arts ecology or as they interact with each other and/or with other domains of American life.
The National Endowment for the Humanities: Research grants from NEH support interpretive humanities research undertaken by a team of two or more scholars. Research must use the knowledge and perspectives of the humanities and historical or philosophical methods to enhance understanding of science, technology, medicine, and the social sciences.

State of Michigan Agencies

(Select list)

Michigan Funding Hub: Uncover the power of grants for your community! It can be hard finding and securing external funding. MI Funding Hub can help! Use our powerful search tools below to help find State of Michigan and federal grant funds that match your community’s project needs.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS): MDHHS is one of 18 government departments in the State of Michigan. The department is the largest in the state government. It is responsible for health policy, human service support and delivery, and management of the state’s publicly funded health and human service systems. The MDHHS utilizes the EGrAMS software to implement its outgoing grant agreements.
Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity: Administers the state’s Americorp and other community-service-related grant opportunities.
Michigan Arts and Cultural Council: The state’s lead agency charged with developing arts and culture policy and grant-making. MACC has up to 15 members appointed by the Governor and internal staff within the MEDC.
Michigan Department of Education: The MDE supports learners and learning in Michigan through grants utilizing NexSys.
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, & Energy: EGLE is committed to forming partnerships with interested groups and local community organizations to achieve the mutual goal of protecting and enhancing environmental quality in Michigan, for the benefit of current and future generations. Access their interactive database to search for information about the grant and loan programs administered by EGLE.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources: The DNR administers grants that make communities healthier, safer and more vibrant. These grants enable local partners to promote the lifestyles we all enjoy by providing recreational opportunities, enhancing wildlife habitat and ensuring public safety.
Michigan Department of Transportation: MDOT provides funding for competitive grant and loan programs primarily, but not exclusively, for state and local road agencies for the most significant impact on economic development and job creation.

Get the Funding Conversation Started

Ann Serra, Dir. OSPRA
serraam@udmercy.edu
(313) 993-1469

Quick Links

CAYUSE, GrantForward, Candid & CITI Programs Support
Michele Favoretto
favoremi@udmercy.edu
(313) 993-1428

Forms

Required Forms/Templates

Grants.gov Helpful Links

Working with OSPRA from project concept through award has significantly increased my awareness and understanding of the processes and UDM policies.

OSPRA Workshops

OSPRA offers a series of workshops throughout the academic year. Browse the workshop schedule and register today.

NEW Faculty Members

OSPRA Workshops offer the perfect opportunity to lean more about the sponsored research activities at UDM and gain an understanding of the process and policies. Register today.