Harvard University subscribes to three searchable funding opportunity databases, all of which may be found here. Research Development staff run bi-annual workshops to introduce postdoctoral scholars to two of these tools—Pivot and Foundation Directory Online.

There are two ways to submit an application for funding: you may submit as an individual or through Harvard University’s Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP). Some sponsors will require you to submit as an individual while others will require you to submit through the institution. Please be aware that there may be tax, benefits, and other implications that may change depending on whether you submit through Harvard University or as an individual. We highly recommend that you discuss your applications with a departmental grants administrator or your faculty mentor prior to submitting a proposal.

If your department does not offer grant support, Research Administration Services will help you develop your proposal (e.g., your budget) and submit your application. Please contact Jennifer Lech with any requests.

In the FAS, all funding requests for external funding (i.e., not from Harvard University) must be reviewed and approved by the following:

• Your department or center;
• The Dean of FAS or his/her designee; and
• The Office for Sponsored Programs (on behalf of the President and Fellows of Harvard College) or, for industry sponsored agreements, the Office for Technology Development.

Proposals must be submitted to FAS and OSP at least 5 business days before they are due to any sponsor, per Harvard’s Proposal Submission Policy. For more information about the review process, please see Review & Submission.

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs offers guidance and resources for postdoctoral scholars. Learn more here.

Yes, Harvard University offers many internal funding programs. Please click here for a list of internal funding opportunities available to faculty, postdocs, and students.  Additionally, a curated list of internal opportunities available to postdoctoral scholars can be found here.

Yes. Some sponsors only offer funding to U.S. citizens, permanent residents or scholars who have been living in the United States for at least three years. However, eligibility differs considerably from sponsor to sponsor and many offer funding to non-U.S. citizens and foreign nationals.