Searching for Funding Sources

An effective alternative to searching for open funding programs is to investigate the funding sources of relevant prior research in your field. This approach can uncover potential funders who have previously supported similar work, indicating their interest in your research area. This strategy relies on using(the key research database(s) in your field. For scientific or technical research, Web of Science is highly recommended. When examining published papers in your area of interest, pay close attention to the acknowledgments or funding information sections. These often disclose the grants or organizations that supported the research. Additionally, many funding bodies maintain public databases of their awarded grants, which you can search to identify agencies or foundations active in your field. This method not only helps you discover potential funders but also provides insights into the types of projects they typically support, aiding in tailoring your future proposals.

Web of Science provides detailed information on funding sources for published research. Here's how to use this feature effectively:

1. Access Web of Science through the library’s A-Z database page
2.  Perform a topic search related to your research area using relevant keywords.
3.  In the search results, look for the "Analyze Results" feature.
4.  Click on "Analyze Results" and select "Funding Agencies" from the available fields. This will generate a list of funding agencies that have supported published research in your area, sorted by frequency.
5.  Click on a funding agency's name to see the specific papers they've funded.

 You can also use the "Funding Text" search field in the advanced search option to look for specific funders or grant numbers.