1. Whom can I contact?
2. Are there databases available for me to use to search for external funding?
3. Do you offer training on how to use the databases?
4. Do you have tips how to use the databases effectively?
5. Do you have resources to assist graduate students?   
6. Can I search for funding on any free [non-subscription] databases?
7. Are internal funds available? 

1.  Whom can I contact?

If you have questions about locating funding sources or using the various funding databases available to UI faculty and staff, please contact dsp-funding-searches@uiowa.edu(link sends e-mail).

2.  Are there databases available for me to use to search for external funding?

The University of Iowa subscribes to a number of commercial databases that provide information on funding opportunities.   Refer to the Division of Sponsored Programs (DSP) website to search funding databases using your hawkid and password.  DSP also posts funding opportunities on the UIowa Grant Bulletin which is free and available to the public.

3.  Do you offer training on how to use the database?

Sponsored Programs offers training on using the databases to individuals or groups, which can be tailored to the discipline of the audience.   Contact dsp-funding-searches@uiowa.edu(link sends e-mail) to schedule training.

4.  Do you have tips how to use the databases effectively?

It is often valuable to search more than one database. Even though there may be significant overlap in results, no database returns all available opportunities and you may find some unique opportunities using multiple databases.  Each database has a “Help” link with tips for conducting an effective search.   Additional suggestions:  start with broad topics and then refine results using additional words, or use the “search within the results” function if the database has one; try phrase searching with phrases in quotation marks [example “public health”]. For additional help with funding searches, please contact dsp-funding-searches@uiowa.edu(link sends e-mail)

5.  Do you have resources to assist graduate students?

Graduate or professional students can find information about funding resources and database training at Graduate and Professional Student Resources.

6.  Can I search for funding on any free [non-subscription] databases?

Opportunities from federal government sponsors are posted on Grants.gov and also on the individual agency’s website, such as:   

• National Institute of Health NIH funding opportunities. 
• National Science Foundation NSF funding opportunity.

The UIowa Grant Bulletin published by the Division of Sponsored Programs, is also available at no charge.   It is searchable as well as categorized.

7. Are internal funds available?

Yes. Internal funding may be available from various sources on campus, including Colleges, the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR), Office of the Provost, and various Centers and departmental Units. The OVPR maintains a list of several internal funding sources across the University.