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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Women Leading and Building Canada``s Future Grant at NAIT 2025

Available to women and women-identifying students enrolled in one of the federally recognized Building and Manufacturing Red Seal Skilled Trade programs or designated pre-apprenticeship programs. Awarded on the basis of costs incurred to cover t... more details

  •  Course, Bachelor
  •  Canada
  • $$  $2,000

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
  •  Nigeria
  • $$  Varies

Canadian Government Aid to Scholarly Journals Grant (September 2025 Competition)

Up to $42,400 per year (for emerging journals) Up to $52,000 per year (for established journals) ... more details

  •  Grant
  •  Canada
  • $$  $42,000 - $52,000

Targarian Foundation Tertiary Education Scholarship Grant 2025

Applicant must be an indigene of Markudi or Guma LGA. Be currently enrolled in a recognized tertiary institution (University, Polytechnic, or College of Education). Have proof of active enrollment (e.g., admission letter, school ... more details

  •  Bachelor
  •  Worldwide
  • $$  Varies

University of Guelph OAC ’59 Experiential Learning Travel Grant 2025

$20,000 to help cover travel costs and enhance academic and professional development.... more details

  •  Bachelor, Master, Grant
  •  Canada
  • $$  $20,000

Arthritis Society Canada Ignite Innovation Grants 2025

The maximum grant per application is $50,000 annually for up to two years ($100,000 total). These grants are non-renewable. ... more details

  •  Grant
  •  Canada
  • $$  $50,000

Government of Nova Scotia Clean Economy Grant Program 2025

Program and Institution: You must be accepted into a Master's level program in Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Business, or Engineering at a Nova Scotia university. Academic Standing: You must be in good academic standing in your und... more details

  •  Master
  •  Worldwide
  • $$  $15000

TÜB?TAK International Industrial R&D Projects Grant Program, Turkey

Financial support of up to 75% for eligible costs, including:• Personnel expenses• Travel costs• Tools, equipment, and software• Materials and consumables• Consultancy and R&D servicesNo upper limit on project duration or budget unless specified ... more details

  •  Grant
  •  Turkey
  • $$  60% support for large enterprises; 75% support for SMEs

University of Laval Power Corporation of Canada Mobility Grant 2025

A total of eight scholarships, each worth $6,000, are currently being offered... more details

  •  Master
  •  Canada
  • $$  $6,000

The Beauty Hut x Paystack Grant Application 2025

This grant includes 2,000,000 funding, up to 5,000,000 in Paystack credit, and mentorship to help you scale.... more details

  •  Grant
  •  Nigeria
  • $$  Varies

The dRPC NGO Support Initiative (NSI) Grant 2025

Activities supported under the NSI-Grant must be implemented within 3 months and designed to include partnerships with communities and government at any level. To apply for the NSI-Grant, registered NGOs are invited to submit a 4-page Expression of I... more details

  •  Grant
  •  Nigeria
  • $$  Varies

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Early Career Conference Grants in UK

University or Organization: Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)Department: NA Course Level: Early Career Research/Academic (Postgraduate Research)Award: Up to GBP 2,000Access Mode: OnlineNumber of Awards: NA Nationality: Citizens of Comm... more details

  •  Master
  •  United Kingdom
  • $$  Up to GBP 2,000

Retina Australia Research Grants

Successful applicants will receive funding to support medical research projects in the field of inherited retinal diseases.Grants may cover research expenses related to personnel, equipment, and other approved costs, helping researchers accelerate pr... more details

  •  Grant
  •  Australia
  • $$  Research grant (amount not specified)

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