As many faculty are seeking funding for their projects, it is imperative that contacts with prospective funders be prioritized by department chairs and then coordinated through the appropriate University offices. This will help avoid submission of competing proposals and will help ensure that proposals reflect the department/school priorities.
If you are interested in applying to a foundation, contact the Office of Research Development at 487-2226. If you are interested in applying to a corporation, contact the Industry Relations Department within the Office of Innovation and Commercialization at 487-2228. They will direct you to the appropriate forms which require signatures of department chairs/deans. You may also want to review the Foundation Center collection at Portage Lake District Library where funder directories and related private grant seeking information may be found. www.pldl.org
Foundations are most likely to fund projects that are in alignment with their areas of interest, and are unique, creative and replicable. Please contact the Industry Relations office if interested finding funding from a particular company or industry that aligns with your research interests. Many departments have been successful soliciting equipment grants. If an equipment grant is secured, either new or a used "Gift In Kind," please report it to the Industry Relations Department.
Keep in mind that foundations and corporations operate on their own schedules. You may need to allow six to eighteen months for a decision. Their boards may meet as often as every other month and as infrequently as once a year.
The departments of Research Development and Industry Relations can help you prospect for the most likely funder. You can expect advice and assistance on the best approach for your prospect. The offices will read and suggest edits to your proposal, reviewing your proposal to be sure it conforms to the guidelines of the foundation or corporation. The offices will also help you gather any required organizational information, such as an IRS status letter or annual report. If you wish, and time allows, they will also help draft a cover letter and mail your proposal. When a proposal is funded, the offices will send an acknowledgment and receipt.
You are responsible for getting clearance to submit the proposal and for securing approvals from your department chair for any University funds and space requirements. You need to confirm that you are in compliance with the University's conflict of interest policy. If you are funded, you are expected to send thank you letters and reports to the funder in a timely manner. Please also forward copies of correspondence with foundations or corporations to the appropriate office.
Revised:
07/02/2019 - Updated University title, "Innovation and Industry Engagement is now
Innovation and Commercialization." 12/4/2017 - Annual Review: In an effort to clarify current
practices, added "www.pldl.org" to the second paragraph. Changed "Corporations fund projects in alignment with their
business interests and are most likely to fund schools from which students are recruited,
especially if alumni are in key positions at that corporation. Some funders support
research. Those that fund capital or endowments will usually only provide a portion
of the total funds needed." to "Please contact the Industry Relations office if interested
finding funding from a particular company or industry that aligns with your research
interests.." Changed "If an equipment grant is secured, either new or used, please
report it to the Corporate Partnerships Department." to "If an equipment grant is
secured, either new or a used "Gift In Kind," please report it to the Industry Relations
Department."
12/08/2016 - Annual Review: No changes made to content.
02/04/2015 - Annual Review: To reflect current practice, the email address for questions
is now policy@mtu.edu. "... Development at 487-1608. If you are interested in applying to a corporation,
contact the Corporate Partnerships Department ..." now reads " ... Development at
487-2226. If you are interested in applying to a corporation, contact the Industry
Relations Department ...". "Foundations are likely to fund projects that are unique,
creative and replicable." now reads "Foundations are most likely to fund projects
that are in alignment with their areas of interest, and are unique, creative and replicable."
"The departments of Research Development and Corporate Partnerships can help ..."
now reads "The departments of Research Development and Industry Relations can help
...". Deleted "As you are the best advocate for your project, you are the best person
to write your proposal." from the last paragraph.
02/26/2014 - Annual Review: Updated Michigan Tech and Handbook banners. Section "9.5.2
Corporate and Foundation Support" was renumbered to read "9.5.3 Corporate and Foundation
Support". In the first paragraph, the first sentence read: "If you are interested
in applying to a foundation, contact Sponsored Programs Enhancement at ..." now reads
"If you are interested in applying to a foundation, contact the Office for Research
Development at ....". The third sentence read: "You will be directed to the appropriate
forms ..." now reads "They will direct you to the appropriate forms ....". The fifth
paragraph, first sentence read: "The departments of Sponsored Programs Enhancement
and Corporate Partnerships can ...." now reads "The departments of Research Development
and Corporate Partnerships can ....".
3/28/2013 - Annual Review: A period was missing from the end of the last sentence
of the third paragraph and formatting changes were made - no changes to content.
7/20/2011 - Annual Review: Was previously 9.6.2. To reflect current University titles
and practice. Foundation Relations Office is now Sponsored Programs Enhancement, Corporate
Relations Office is now Corporate Partnerships Department within the Office of Innovation
and Industry Engagement, the J.R. Van Pelt Library is now Portage Lake District Librar,.
the offices of Foundation and Corporate Relations are now the departments of Sponsored
Programs Enhancement and Corporate Partnerships, MTU is now Michigan Tech and the
email address for questions is now hbwebmaster.