How to Find Research Funding Options, Even in The COVID-19 Era

Private Foundations

The key to receiving a grant from a private foundation is to find one whose goals mirror yours. “All foundations and institutes have a mission, and you as a scientist have your own mission. You’re looking for a match,” said Thanos Tzounopoulos, PhD, director of the Pittsburgh Hearing Research Center and an endowed professor and vice chair of research in the department of otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Tzounopoulos, whose research interests include the pathophysiology of hearing loss and tinnitus as well as the development of effective medications to treat both, has received funding from the American Tinnitus Association (ATA) and the Hearing Health Foundation, two organizations that devote significant funds to tinnitus- and hearing loss-related research.

“Finding a cure for tinnitus is ATA’s priority,” according to their website, and the organization has allocated over $6 million to tinnitus research since 1980. Similarly, the Hearing Health Foundation’s mission is “to prevent and cure hearing loss and tinnitus through groundbreaking research and to promote hearing health.” In his grant applications, Dr. Tzounopoulos highlighted how his research could pave the way for a cure. Initial funding from the ATA more than a decade ago supported Dr. Tzounopouplos as he built his research career.

The ACS offers a variety of grants that may be of interest to otolaryngologists, particularly those studying head and neck cancer. “We fund research across the cancer continuum, from basic science to clinical work, including screening, diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care. We also encourage health equity-focused and health policy-focused applications,” said Elvan (Ellie) Daniels, MD, MPH, senior scientific director of cancer prevention and control research at the ACS.

Most ACS grants are aimed at early career investigators, though there is some support available for mid-career researchers; the Clinician Scientist Development Grant is specifically designed to help practicing clinicians develop research skills. In addition to funding, the award includes research mentoring and training. “The grant is intended for clinicians who come in with good research questions but might not have a research background,” Dr. Daniels said.

According to Dr. Bleier, the odds of getting a foundation-based grant are generally better than the odds of getting a large federally funded grant. Additionally, the grant application process is typically less involved.

“The grants themselves don’t take as much time to write, and the turnaround time is faster,” Dr. Bleier said. Foundation grants generally don’t provide as much financial support as federal grants, but the ease of application, quick turnaround times, and good odds make foundation grants an important source of funding.