A core part of our mission in Sponsored Projects Administration is helping faculty and students identify and secure the funding you’ll need to complete your research project or creative endeavor. We can guide you to resources both at Ball State and from outside organizations.

Faculty

We have a number resources that can assist you in your external funding search.

External Funding

Use SPIN to Find Funding Opportunities for Your Work

SPIN (Sponsored Programs Information Network) is a funding opportunity database that provides information on government and private funding sources in both the US and abroad. SPIN contains over 40,000 funding opportunities from more than 10,000 global sponsors. Ball State’s Sponsored Projects Administration has subscribed to the SPIN database and provides access to all BSU users.

The data in SPIN is obtained directly from the sponsoring agencies to ensure the integrity of information. Each program is updated in SPIN as the sponsor revises it (which is typically on an annual basis). The SPIN database is provided through an annual subscription to more than 1,000 colleges, universities, and industry clients worldwide.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH SPIN?

So glad you asked. With SPIN you can:

  • Access funding information online, from any browser
  • Organize grant information in one convenient place
  • Gain access to the largest Keyword list, allowing for greater flexibility in your searches
  • Quickly locate Limited Submission Opportunities, Federal or non-Federal programs
  • Locate all types of funding information

Basic Users

The SPIN database allows users to search for funding program announcements via three types of searches: Basic, Keyword, or Advanced, all of which are available without logging in or creating an account if accessed while utilizing the BSU wireless or VPN network.

Advanced Users

In order to use the database off campus and take full advantage of its many features, you must create a SPIN account. SPIN allows users to save search filters, save searches to run again in the future, create bookmarks to store grant opportunities, and access searches and bookmarks created by SPA for the campus community.

Searching

You can filter results to include specific sponsor types, project locations, deadlines, types of grants, how new a program is and more. Search by a wide variety of criteria like impending deadlines, federal grants only, and non-traditional sources.

Saving & Retrieving Your Searches

Save your search queries and easily access those search results from your top navigation any time. You must access the SPIN database through SSO.

Automation & Email Alerts

Automate your funding searches! Once you're logged in to SPIN, save a search to activate a SMARTS email alert.  Have SPIN send you email notifications daily or weekly with recent funding opportunities, so you never miss an opportunity or deadline.

Get started today: Choose Ball State University from the Institutional Login drop-down menu to be redirected to BSU's Single Sign-On screen.

SPIN Database

 

RESOURCES

  • InfoEd Global offers a library of short tutorial videos to guide new SPIN users. These videos cover basic navigation, search techniques, and user customization, and are located under the SPIN Help tab.
  • The SPIN Quick Start Guide. The SPIN start guide includes steps for logging into the system with SSO, conducting a simple keyword search and managing bookmarks and email notifications.
  • For additional assistance with SPIN, please contact your Proposal Manager. 
Learn more on our YouTube Channel

Grants.Gov

Grants.gov is designed to enable federal grant-making agencies to create funding opportunities and applicants to find and apply for these federal grants. Federal funding opportunities published on Grants.gov are for organizations and entities supporting the development and management of government-funded programs and projects. 

Candid.Org

Formerly Foundation Center and GuideStar, Candid is a nonprofit that provides the most comprehensive data and insights about the social sector. This website provides a one-stop-shop for finding funders and RFPs, information on non-profit sponsors, and helpful resources on putting together grant materials. 

Grant Station

*No BSU subscription; Free newsletter

GrantStation offers organizations the opportunity to identify potential funding sources for their programs or projects as well as resources to mentor these organizations through the grantseeking process.

Atom Grants

 Atomgrants.com offers a free monthly digest from Atom Grants featuring funding opportunities, AI insights, and content to help universities stay competitive in research and innovation.

Instrumentl

Instrumentl.com offers a free newsletter for users to receive grant writing resources directly to their inboxes.

  • The Chronicle of Philanthropy helps stay up to do date on emerging trends in philanthropy, grant news, and grantmaking strategies

  • Philanthropy News Digest (a free resource from Candid.org) offers news articles on grants and gifts, aggregates grant news from other sources, and compiles RFPs (Requests for Proposals). 

  • The Chronicle of Higher Education (free subscription through University Libraries) is a news source that offers stories on colleges and universities. They offer insights on higher education and academic career development for educators, administrators and researchers. 

  • Grants Office LLC offers grant funding news from different areas and resources for grant seekers like webinars and articles with tips for grant writing. 

 

Internal Opportunities


Ball State University's Aspire Internal Grant Program provides funding to faculty, professional personnel, and students to support projects in the areas of research, scholarly studies, and creative endeavors.

Aspire competitions are open to faculty, professional personnel, and students.

Learn More

The Teacher-Scholar Program will provide 1st and 2nd year, and transfer students in their first year the opportunity to be engaged in research or a creative project with a faculty member.

Learn more

Ball State University's Aspire Internal Grant Program provides funding to faculty, professional personnel, and students to support projects in the areas of research, scholarly studies, and creative endeavors.

Aspire competitions are open to faculty, professional personnel, and students.

Learn More

The Teacher-Scholar Program will provide 1st and 2nd year, and transfer students in their first year the opportunity to be engaged in research or a creative project with a faculty member.

Learn more

Use SPIN to Find Funding Opportunities for Your Work

SPIN (Sponsored Programs Information Network) is a funding opportunity database that provides information on government and private funding sources in both the US and abroad. SPIN contains over 40,000 funding opportunities from more than 10,000 global sponsors. Ball State’s Sponsored Projects Administration has subscribed to the SPIN database and provides access to all BSU users.

The data in SPIN is obtained directly from the sponsoring agencies to ensure the integrity of information. Each program is updated in SPIN as the sponsor revises it (which is typically on an annual basis). The SPIN database is provided through an annual subscription to more than 1,000 colleges, universities, and industry clients worldwide.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH SPIN?

So glad you asked. With SPIN you can:

  • Access funding information online, from any browser
  • Organize grant information in one convenient place
  • Gain access to the largest Keyword list, allowing for greater flexibility in your searches
  • Quickly locate Limited Submission Opportunities, Federal or non-Federal programs
  • Locate all types of funding information

Basic Users

The SPIN database allows users to search for funding program announcements via three types of searches: Basic, Keyword, or Advanced, all of which are available without logging in or creating an account if accessed while utilizing the BSU wireless or VPN network.

Advanced Users

In order to use the database off campus and take full advantage of its many features, you must create a SPIN account. SPIN allows users to save search filters, save searches to run again in the future, create bookmarks to store grant opportunities, and access searches and bookmarks created by SPA for the campus community.

Searching

You can filter results to include specific sponsor types, project locations, deadlines, types of grants, how new a program is and more. Search by a wide variety of criteria like impending deadlines, federal grants only, and non-traditional sources.

Saving & Retrieving Your Searches

Save your search queries and easily access those search results from your top navigation any time. You must access the SPIN database through SSO.

Automation & Email Alerts

Automate your funding searches! Once you're logged in to SPIN, save a search to activate a SMARTS email alert.  Have SPIN send you email notifications daily or weekly with recent funding opportunities, so you never miss an opportunity or deadline.

Get started today: Choose Ball State University from the Institutional Login drop-down menu to be redirected to BSU's Single Sign-On screen.

SPIN Database

 

RESOURCES

  • InfoEd Global offers a library of short tutorial videos to guide new SPIN users. These videos cover basic navigation, search techniques, and user customization, and are located under the SPIN Help tab.
  • The SPIN Quick Start Guide. The SPIN start guide includes steps for logging into the system with SSO, conducting a simple keyword search and managing bookmarks and email notifications.
  • For additional assistance with SPIN, please contact your Proposal Manager. 
Learn more on our YouTube Channel

Our office helps Ball State faculty and students locate funding for their research or creative projects. Tuition assistance and other scholarships are not something we handle, but we can point you to some resources you might find useful!

Resources