681 Grants and Non-Merit Scholarships

Grants and Non-Merit Scholarships

As you may already know grants are different from scholarships. When scholarships are usually merit-based or competition-based, grants are usually given to those who has a financial need or grants are directed for a particular area of study or group of people. One type of grants, like an enormous variety of federal grants from highly prestigious organizations like the NIH, the DOE, the NSF, the EPA, and NASA, are given for the schientific researches to groups of scientists working on a particular problem. Other type of grants like the Federal Pell Grant or the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), are awarded based on the student’s demonstrated financial need. These grants typically come from the federal government, state governments and colleges and universities, but may also come from corporations, institutions and foundations.

There are actually just four main types of grant funding. We give descriptions and examples of competitive, formula, continuation, and pass-through grants to give you a basic understanding of funding structures as you do your search for possible sources of financial aid.

Competitive Funding - also known as discretionary funding, competitive funding is a process of proposal selection based on the evaluation of a reviewer or team of reviewers. Funding is based on the merits of the application, and recipients are not pre-determined.

Formula Funding. In contrast to competitive funding, formula grants are given to pre-determined recipients. Non-competitive awards are usually allocated to eligible entities according to population and/or other census criteria, and all applicants who meet the minimum requirements of the application process are entitled to receive money. In many instances, formula funds are distributed from the federal level to states. States then determine the process to be used to award funds to local jurisdictions.

Continuation funding grant programs offer current award recipients the option of renewing grants for the following year. Some programs are restricted to existing grantees only, while others invite applications from current grantees and new applicants. Often, current grantees are awarded extra points during the review process for being a current grant recipient. Since priority is often given to continuing applicants, if you are a new applicant, you should consider entering into a partnership with a currently funded entity.

Pass-Through grants are funds given by the federal government to the states for further distribution to local governments. Under this funding structure, states may disburse federal funds to eligible local jurisdictions through formula allocations or open competitions.

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Archaeology Legacy Grants in Ireland

Maximum funding of €30,000 per project.Support for advancing Ireland’s archaeological heritage through proper assessment, analysis, and dissemination of research.Contribution to the long-term preservation and accessibility of archaeological knowledge... more details

  •  Grant
  •  15-Oct-2025
  •  Ireland
  • $$  Up to €30,000

Canadian Government Insight Grants: October 2025 Competition

Insight Grants are valued at up to $500,000 over two to five years. A minimum request of $10,000 is required in at least one of the years. A maximum of $125,000 is available in a single year.... more details

  •  Fellowship, Grant
  •  01-Oct-2025
  •  Canada
  • $$  $500,000

Grants for Education and Networking Activities, Denmark

Funding of up to 75,000 DKK per event to cover: Travel and accommodation for national and international speakers (economy class). Conference room bookings.Food and drinks during the event.Printing of materials such as programs, abstract books, and ... more details

  •  PhD, Fellowship
  •  21-Sep-2025
  •  Denmark
  • $$  Up to 75,000 DKK per event

EIGENT Grants for International Students in Spain

Full-time employment contract with a minimum gross annual salary of €42,000.The Generalitat will finance 70% of the eligible annual cost (€55,000) per researcher; the host entity covers the remaining cost. Additional annual project funding of up to ... more details

  •  Fellowship
  •  26-Sep-2025
  •  Spain
  • $$  Up to €55,000 annually per contract (70% funded by the Generalitat) plus additional funding of up to €30,000 per year for project execution

University Canada West Nurturing Wisdom Grant 2025

To be considered for the Nurturing Wisdom Grant, you must meet the following requirements: • Be an Indigenous Status holder applying to any UCW Program.... more details

  •  Bachelor, Master
  •  Not Specified
  •  Canada
  • $$  Varies

Università Politecnica delle Marche Grants in Italy

Each selected student will receive a scholarship of €2,000 to support their studies. A total of 40 scholarships will be awarded.... more details

  •  Bachelor
  •  Applications open from 15 July 2025 and close on 17 November 2025 at 100 pm.
  •  Italy
  • $$  €2,000 each

Research Culture and Integrity Ambassador Grants in Austria

Funding of up to €5,000 per project (three projects selected annually).Flexibility in the use of funds, which may cover expert consultations, retreats, workshops, student assistants, teaching activities, or related expenses (in line with university g... more details

  •  Grant
  •  15-Oct-2025
  •  Austria
  • $$  Up to €5,000 per project (three projects funded annually)

ESI Undergraduate Research Grant 2025 (N100,000 Grant)

Eligibility Criteria Must be a STEM undergraduate in a Nigerian University Must be in your final year of study by the application deadline  Undergraduate project commencement must be between September 2025 and February 2026. Second-c... more details

  •  Bachelor
  •  30-Oct-2025
  •  Nigeria
  • $$  Varies

Dalhousie University Open Educational Resource in Computing Education Grant 2025

The grant will provide up to $8,000 in funding ... more details

  •  Grant
  •  15-Sep-2025
  •  Canada
  • $$  $8,000

2025 FCMB-FMO AgriTech Investment Readiness Program (N20 Million Grant)

Teams solving real challenges across the agriculture value chain Agritech startups and digital SMEs Ventures with strong models, traction, or revenue Founders seeking to raise capital or secure grant funding ... more details

  •  Grant
  •  12-Sep-2025
  •  Nigeria
  • $$  Varies

CityU Indigenous Student Tuition Reduction Grant 2025-2026

The grant covers 25% of tuition fees throughout studies at CityU... more details

  •  Bachelor, Master
  •  30-Oct-2025
  •  Canada
  • $$  Varies

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Propelling Grants in Switzerland

Up to 50,000 CHF for a six-month period as non-dilutive funding.Participation in an acceleration program with theme-specific workshops, investor meetings, and tailored mentoring. Support in developing a business plan, product-market fit analysis, R&... more details

  •  PhD
  •  14-Sep-2025
  •  Switzerland
  • $$  Up to 50,000 CHF in non-dilutive funding

The Grooming Centre University Grant Scheme 2025

The applicant must either be a student at the undergraduate or postgraduate level in a Nigerian tertiary institution The student research study should cover any of such areas as financial inclusion, microfinance, rural development, social ent... more details

  •  Bachelor
  •  10-Oct-2025
  •  Nigeria
  • $$  Varies

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