Research Funding Opportunities - Fall 2025
ISSR Funding Assistance
Note: Faculty can get $2,000 added to their research funds if they:
- Have not received external funding in the last three years and;
- Attend ISSR’s Faculty Funding Summit on Thursday, Oct 16th at 12pm and;
- Attend at least 5 of the 8 Funding (Fridays on) Thursdays sessions and;
- Submit an external grant proposal for at least $20K before September 2026.
Please contact ISSR for assistance 6-8 weeks in advance with all grants, fellowships and informal proposals (LOIs) you are considering. They will make the process easier!
ISSR’s “Funding (Fridays on) Thursdays” starts Thursday, September 11th at 12:00PM. This is a workshop series and a set of resources to support those seeking external foundation and grant funding. Each session, the group tackles a new element of proposal planning and development together, with the guidance of UMass experts in each topic, and it’s a great way to meet a supportive community of fellow researchers across the university.
Learn more about Funding (Fridays on) Thursdays >
External Funding and Fellowships
SBS maintains a listing of external fellowship opportunities. Note that some of these, like the Radcliffe, Sloan and AAUW, have upcoming deadlines.
For upcoming external foundations and agency grant funding opportunities, check ISSR’s webpage which posts rolling funding calls and the Office of Foundation Relations’ weekly list of current RFPs from private foundations and monthly list of annually recurring limited submission opportunities. If you wish to be added to either (or both) of the associated distribution lists, please complete this contact form.
For assistance with foundation proposal ideation, development, and review, as well as prospect research and general guidance related to private foundations, we encourage you to reach out to Foundation Relations. To schedule a meeting, fill out this contact form.
Please note that all grant and fellowship proposals, even including informal proposals (LOIs), must go through Kuali. Work with ISSR on this and contact them at least 6-8 weeks in advance.
For critical information about submitting grant proposals, please consult this policy landing page.
Consult this page for information about support, IRB, research ethics, compliance requirements, etc.
Internal Funding Opportunities
In order of deadline through January.
MSP Research Support Fund
Awards of up to $1,000 to bargaining unit members who are active in research and who do not have access to significant alternative funding, such as Research Trust Funds, gifts, external research grants, etc. The funds can also be used for reimbursement of eligible expenses that are expressly disallowed by their alternative funding sources.
Next Deadline: September 19, 2025 | Details and Application
SBS Seed Funding Faculty Grant for Research Support
Provides up to $10,000 per Principal Investigator; up to $15,000 if two PIs from different SBS departments. Intended to result in publications with a plan for leveraging into an external funding proposal. All levels of SBS tenure track faculty and research-appointed lecturers are eligible to apply. These are now donor-funded, and we may request that PI write a brief thank you email/note to donor upon award.
Next Deadline: October 17, 2025 | Details and Application
SBS Seed Funding Faculty Grant for Conferences and Visitors
Brings in a speaker or colleague to campus or hosts a conference or workshop on campus. Up to $1,500 support with a 1-1 match from other sources. All faculty are eligible to apply.
Next Deadline: October 17, 2025 | Details and Application
SBS Associate Professor Research Leave Grant
Semester’s release from teaching and service with departments compensated by the college.
Next Deadline: October 17, 2025 | Details and Application
SBS Non-Tenure System Faculty Professional Development Grant
Provides up to $2,000 for professional development activities.
Next Deadline: October 17, 2025 | Details and Application
Senior Lecturer Professional Development Fellowship
One semester sabbatical for professional development for Senior Lecturers.
Next Deadline: October 2025 | Details
Faculty Research Grant (FRG)/Healey Endowment Grant
Provides up to $20,000 to support research projects. Preference for pre-tenure and mid-career faculty.
Projected Deadline: December 3, 2025 | Details and Application
Samuel F. Conti Faculty Fellowship Awards
Provides tenured professors with a unique opportunity to focus on their research or creative activities. Fellowships are managed by the office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement (VCRE) and provide a one-year release from teaching and service duties in addition to a $3,500 cash award.
Next Deadline: December 5, 2025 |Details and Application
Public Service Endowment Grant
Provides up to $15,000 to support special projects and related scholarship that focus on mutually beneficial collaborative community partnerships. Faculty and permanent professional staff in all disciplines and fields are eligible.
Next Deadline: January 28, 2026 | Details and Application