Reference Guide for Medicine and Health

If you are an individual seeking grants for the study of medicine, or any other health-related project, this user aid will help you in your search. We have selected a few of the most important print and electronic resources for you to begin your search.

Because most private foundations make grants only to incorporated nonprofit organizations, individual grantseekers must follow a different funding path than organizations with tax-exempt status. Some private foundations currently offer support for individual projects; it is up to you to determine which foundations might be interested in your particular subject area or project.

The Foundation Center has identified a range of materials useful to individuals for identifying those foundations that have previously given grants for projects similar to yours, or that may provide scholarship support for your education in a health-related field. Feel free to refer to them, read introductions, scan indexes, and think of all the subjects and terms by which you can identify your project. A knowledge of support available from appropriate organizations will also be to your benefit. You need to be both creative and flexible in your approach to seeking funding.

If you are unfamiliar with the process of grantseeking, you may want to start with the Individual Grantseekers area of the Foundation Center's Web site. Information on proposal writing for individual grantseekers can be found in our FAQ "Where can I find information on proposal writing for individual grantseekers?".

Students looking for additional financial aid information may also want to review our Reference Guide for Students.

Electronic Resources

Foundation Grants to Individuals Online (http://gtionline.fdncenter.org)
The Foundation Center's online database of more than 6,000 grantmaking programs that provide support to individuals. Now available at a low monthly subscription rate.

Association of American Medical Colleges (http://www.aamc.org)
The organization aims to improve the nation's health by advancing the quality of education in medicals schools and teaching hospitals. Its Web site includes tips on financing one's education as well as information on grant opportunities.

Michigan State University Library - Grants for Individuals: Medicine (http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3med.htm)
A comprehensive listing of funding opportunities including Web sites, databases, books, and announcments.

National Institutes of Health (http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm)
Offers grants in the form of fellowships and research projects in the field of biomedicine.

Recommended Books

Edelson, Phyllis, ed. FOUNDATION GRANTS TO INDIVIDUALS. New York, NY: The Foundation Center, biennial. Profiles more than 6,000 foundation programs that make grants to individuals for education, arts and culture, general welfare, and more.

ANNUAL REGISTER OF GRANT SUPPORT: A Directory of Funding Sources. Medford, NJ: Information Today, annual. Describes over 3,500 grant programs in all subjects. Covers government, public and private foundation, corporate, association and other special interest support programs.

Baynes, Louise ed. GRANTS REGISTER: The Complete Guide to Postgraduate Funding Worldwide. New York, NY: Palgrave Publishers, LTD, annual. Lists scholarships, fellowships, and awards at all levels of graduate study. Fellowships and awards span a variety of subjects, many of which are open to international students.

DIRECTORY OF BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE GRANTS. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, annual. Contains descriptions of over 2,800 funding programs which support research grants in health-related areas.

DIRECTORY OF RESEARCH GRANTS. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, annual. Features about 4,100 listings of programs that offer research funding for projects in medicine, the physical and social sciences, the humanities and arts, and education.

MEDICAL SCHOOL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS, UNITED STATES AND CANADA. Washington, DC: Association of American Medical Colleges. Published annually.

Schlachter, Gail Ann and R. David Weber. MONEY FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE BIOLOGICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES. El Dorado Hills, CA: Reference Service Press, biennial. Describes fellowships, grants, and awards available to support graduate study, training, research, or creative activities in the biological and health sciences.

Schlachter, Gail Ann and R. David Weber. RSP FUNDING FOR NURSING STUDENTS AND NURSES. El Dorado Hills, CA: Reference Service Press, biennial.  A list of scholarships, fellowships, grants, awards, loans, traineeships, and other funding programs in support of study, training, research, and creative activities for nursing students and nurses.