The Qualitative Research Clearinghouse:
Resources for Methods, Analysis, and the Future
NEW
NEW
Below are lists and descriptions of several agencies and foundations that are known to fund qualitative research.
National Institute of Mental Health - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Although funding has historically been quantitative, recent publication on their website indicates a willingness to fund qualitative research:
The report "Qualitative Methods in Health Research: Opportunities and Considerations in Application and Review" (NIH Publication No. 02-5046, December 2001) was recently made available. Copies can also be obtained at http://obssr.od.nih.gov/Publications/Qualitative.PDF. The report is the outcome of a workshop, "Qualitative Methods in Health Research: Opportunities and Considerations in Application and Review," sponsored by the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research and organized by the NIH Culture and Qualitative Research Interest Group. The workshop was supported by NIMH and NIAAA. The document is intended to assist investigators using qualitative methods in thinking about qualitative research issues to be addressed in studies proposed for NIH funding. While the perspective is on qualitative research, many of the general issues discussed apply to both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/council/dir1_2002.pdf)
National Institute of Mental Health (2002, January 25). Acting Director´s Report to the National Advisory Mental Health Council. Retreived June 26, 2006 from the National Institute of Mental Health Web site at (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/council/dir1_2002.pdf
National Institute of Health - http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html
Federal funding opportunities for medical & behavioral research. Searching the Funding Opportunities and Notices page lists specific projects and what types of research methodologies are appropriate forms of inquiry (e.g., “This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits research studies that are qualitative, quantitative, and combined methods”)
Descriptions of grant types can be found at http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/funding_program.htm
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) - http://www.samhsa.gov/grants06/
National agency providing funding for substance use, mental health, the welfare of children and families, older adults, homelessness, and HIV/AIDS.
grants.gov – search engine for disparate funding opportunities
This is a clearinghouse of federal funding. Searching in the “Find Grant Opportunities” webpage with the keyword qualitative brought up a list of a number of research projects that accept/encourage qualitative methodology (e.g., “This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits research studies that are qualitative, quantitative, and combined methods” )
American Association of University Women http://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/index.cfm
One of the world's largest sources of funding exclusively for graduate women, the AAUW Educational Foundation supports aspiring scholars around the globe, teachers and activists in local communities, women at critical stages of their careers, and those pursuing professions where women are underrepresented. Specific programs include: American Fellowships, Career Development Grants, Community Action grants, International Fellowships, Selected Professions Fellowships, University Scholar-in-Residence.
Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation http://www.hfg.org/
The foundation sponsors research on problems of violence, aggression, and dominance. It provides both research grants to established scholars and dissertation fellowships to graduate students during the dissertation-writing year. The foundation awards research grants to individuals for individual projects and does not award grants to institutions for institutional programs. Typically, the range for research grants is $15,000 to $30,000 a year, for a period of one to two years. The foundation welcomes proposals from any of the natural and social sciences and the humanities that promise to increase the understanding of the causes, manifestations, and control of violence, aggression, and dominance. Applications must be received by August 1 for a decision in December.
Ford Foundation http://www.fordfound.org/
Most of the foundation’s grant funds are given to organizations. Although it also makes grants to individuals, they are few in number relative to demand and are limited to research, training and other activities related to its program interests. Ford’s trustees and staff try to advance human welfare by making grants to develop new ideas or strengthen key organizations that address poverty and injustice, and also promote democratic values, international cooperation and human achievement. Within these broad aims, we focus our grants on fields within Asset Building & Community Development, Peace & Social Justice and Knowledge, Creativity & Freedom. Application is initiated by letter of inquiry to the Foundation.
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) http://www.neh.gov/grants/
NEH is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. NEH offers grants in the following categories: challenge grants, education programs, preservation and access, public programs, research programs, federal/state partnership, We the People.
National Science Foundation http://www.nsf.gov/funding/aboutfunding.jsp
The National Science Foundation funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. It does this through grants, and cooperative agreements to more than 2,000 colleges, universities, K-12 school systems, businesses, informal science organizations and other research organizations throughout the United States. Most NSF funding opportunities are divided into broad program areas: biology, computer and information sciences, crosscutting programs, education, engineering, geosciences, international, math and physical sciences, polar research, science statistics, social and behavioral sciences.
The Spencer Foundation http://www.spencer.org/programs/grants/research_grants.htm
The Spencer Foundation provides funding for investigations that promise to yield new knowledge about education in the United States or abroad. The Foundation funds research grants that range in size from smaller grants that can be completed within a year, to larger, multi-year endeavors. Whereas in the past the Foundation had two distinct research grant programs based on budget size, we now have reorganized our research grant programs around areas of inquiry: 1) The Relation between Education and Social Opportunity; 2) Organizational Learning in Schools, School Systems, and Higher Education Institutions; 3) Teaching, Learning, and Instructional Resources; 4) Purposes and Values of Education; and 5) Field-Initiated Proposals.
Woodrow Wilson Foundation http://www.woodrow.org
The Women’s Studies Fellowships are provided to Ph.D. candidates at institutions in the United States who will complete their dissertations during the fellowship year. The most competitive applications include not only a clear, thorough, and compelling description of the candidate’s work, but also evidence of an enduring interest in and commitment to women’s issues and scholarship on women. Fellows receive $3,000 to be used for expenses connected with the dissertation.
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation: www.sloan.org
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is a philanthropic nonprofit institution, was established in 1934 by Alfred Pritchard Sloan, Jr., then President and Chief Executive Officer of the General Motors Corporation. The foundation's programs and interests fall into five primary categories: science and technology, standard of living and economic performance, education and careers in science and technology, selected national issues (bioterrorism & federal statistics, and civic programs. On their website, each primary category is divided into related and more specific subcategories. I became familiar with the Sloan Foundation because they fund various research projects related to workforce, workplace, and families, a subcategory of the standard of living theme.
Types of Qualitative Methods/List of References/Articles/Links to Web Resources/Funding Sources/ Analysis/ListServ
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