Best Capacity Building Grants for Nonprofits in Maine

The Radiation Oncology-Biology Integration Network (ROBIN) Centers, funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), aims to enhance national radiation oncology infrastructure through collaborative research. This initiative supports studies on biological responses to radiation treatment in cancer patients, focusing on understanding tumor and tissue changes. By integrating various scientific disciplines and collecting comprehensive data, ROBIN intends to improve cancer care, optimize treatment strategies, and accelerate translational discoveries to enhance patient outcomes.

Who We Are

Thousands of your friends and neighbors make up Samaritan Health Services. We’re a nonprofit network of hospitals, clinics and health services caring for more than 290,000 residents in the mid-Willamette Valley and central Oregon Coast and portions of Marion and Polk counties. We work together to provide highly reliable and innovative medicine with world-class quality in a way that supports the values of the communities we serve. That includes caring for all people, regardless of your ability to pay.

Linn County- Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship

East Linn County students currently attending college and majoring in a medical field are invited to apply for the Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital $1,000 Auxiliary Scholarship.

The NIH Director's Early Independence Award empowers exceptional early-career researchers to embark on independent research careers immediately after their doctoral degree or post-graduate clinical training. This initiative accelerates the transition to independence, promoting innovative research across various fields aligned with the NIH mission. As part of the NIH Common Fund's High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program, it encourages groundbreaking studies that could significantly advance health-related knowledge.

Biochemical and Molecular Characterization of Marstacimab and TFPI Pathways

This competitive grant encompasses research aimed at elucidating molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying marstacimab-TFPI interactions, including but not limited to differential expression of tissue factor and TFPI in various tissues, binding kinetics, and other biochemical properties. Projects should seek to advance foundational understanding of these interactions through innovative approaches in biochemistry, molecular biology, and related disciplines.

Funding Range and Project Length

Individual projects requesting up to $50,000 USD will be considered.

Request for study drug or compound is allowed (max $50,000 USD), additionally to the study project costs.

Maximum project length is 1 year.

This Community Foundation was created by and for the people of Washington County MD, and exists to improve the quality of life for all of our citizens, now and for generations to come, by building community endowments, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.

Washington County Arts Council, Inc. Foundation Scholarship Fund

The Washington County Arts Council, Inc. welcomes all applicants interested in pursuing a 2- or 4-year degree, or a certificate program, from an accredited educational institution with an emphasis on the arts. All students, including those individuals who have pursued a non-traditional education path, will be considered for this scholarship.

This Community Foundation was created by and for the people of Washington County MD, and exists to improve the quality of life for all of our citizens, now and for generations to come, by building community endowments, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.

The Tim Moffatt Career Advancement Award

This scholarship will be awarded to deserving students who are graduating from a WCPS high school, or are a non-traditional learner with equivalent education, who have been accepted into a trade school/program/apprenticeship, or who have enlisted in the military. 

The Marliave Scholarship Fund, established in honor of Elmer C. Marliave and his family, supports students in Engineering Geology and Geological Engineering. This scholarship recognizes outstanding academic achievement and potential contributions to the profession. Awarded by the AEG Foundation, recipients are designated as "Marliave Scholars" based on their qualifications and involvement in professional societies. The program aims to foster excellence and commitment within the field, promoting future leaders in geoscience.

Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation

Vision: We envision a vibrant, prosperous northern Chautauqua community, rich in opportunity today and tomorrow.

Our Mission

To realize our vision we focus on:

• strategic and responsive grant making
• encouraging local philanthropy and building permanent endowments for the future
• actively serving as a community leader and partner for the benefit and enrichment in our community.

Scholarships

Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation proudly manages over 200 individual scholarship funds,

David J Lewandowski Memorial Award

The David J Lewandowski Memorial Award is presented to a graduating senior from Dunkirk, Forestville, or Fredonia who is entering a career in the trades, agriculture, conservation, forestry, or emergency services.

Claud Hyatt Scholarship

The Claud N. Hyatt Scholarship was established in 2023 as a permanent fund of Taos Community Foundation. Mr. Hyatt started his teaching career in 1964, and dedicated his entire career to teaching history at Clayton High School. His desire to give back to the Clayton community has made this scholarship possible. The award is available to graduating seniors of Clayton High School who are pursuing advancement of higher education beyond high school. The scholarship is available to those applying to 2 or 4 year colleges and universities as well as vocational / trade schools. Award amounts will be determined at the time of committee review and will be within the range of $2,000 and $8,000. The awards will be paid out in annual installments for up to four years for those students attending a 4 year institution, 2 years for those students attending a 2 year institution, or per unit for certificate programs. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA and be enrolled as a full time student to continue eligibility for the scholarship.

The DoW Rare Cancers Concept Award for FY26 promotes groundbreaking ideas in rare cancer research. This award encourages innovative applications that explore novel courses of investigation without requiring preliminary data. Unique to this program is the prohibition against mentioning the Principal Investigator or collaborators in the proposal materials, ensuring an unbiased review process. This funding opportunity aims to advance scientific discovery in the rare cancer domain.

LRPenn.com is home to the novels, plays, and screenplays of LR Penn. His books specializes in Thrillers, Dramatic Comedies, and Film Noir. Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, grants may be available to nonprofit theater companies in the United States with 501(c)(3) status that are staging productions of plays written by LR Penn.  

The NIH Blueprint Initiative aims to enhance neuroscience research by funding the development and application of germline and somatic gene-editing techniques. This initiative builds on existing marmoset gene-editing frameworks and integrates New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to improve understanding of human brain function and disease. High-priority areas include complex conditions like autism and schizophrenia. The initiative emphasizes the use of appropriate models to address critical questions in neuroanatomy, cognition, and behavior related to human brain health.

The America’s Horse Cares Grant Program, provided by the American Quarter Horse Association, aims to enhance the welfare and training of American Quarter Horses in therapeutic settings. By funding educational workshops from March to September 2026, the program seeks to elevate horsemanship standards and ensure proper horse care. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, focusing on equine-assisted activities for individuals with various challenges, thereby fostering transformative experiences through education and responsible practices.

The R3PEATS Rigor Scholar Cohort Awards (K12) are designed to empower early-career researchers by enhancing their skills in rigorous scientific practices. This initiative promotes collaboration across institutions to develop best practices in research methodologies, including preregistration and randomization. Participants will gain essential training to ensure excellence and transparency in scientific research, aligning with the NIH's commitment to improve replicability and reproducibility in the field.

The USPOULTRY Research Grants program, sponsored by the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, aims to enhance the poultry industry through comprehensive research funding. Established in 1963, it supports diverse projects related to poultry and egg production. With over $30 million invested, the program emphasizes improving product quality and safety. Proposals are evaluated by a panel of experts, with a funding rate of 15-20%. Eligible projects typically have budgets under $80,000 and timelines of 1-2 years.

The DoW Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Translational Research Award aims to transform scientific discoveries into clinical applications. This program encourages innovative research approaches and requires preliminary data. It prohibits basic research and clinical trials, emphasizing the need for relevant animal models or community-based participatory research for human subjects. Funding supports two research levels, refining ideas into tangible products or evaluating them for clinical trials, with options for early-career investigator partnerships.

The NCI Research Specialist Award (R50) supports non-tenure track scientists in cancer research who provide essential contributions within laboratories and core facilities. This award aims to enhance research careers for skilled scientists who do not seek independent investigator funding. Eligible candidates must possess an advanced degree, have at least two years of contribution to NCI-funded research, and dedicate a significant portion of their time to this work. The R50 offers salary support and travel funds to recognize and stabilize these vital roles in cancer research.

The BMC Expedition Grant supports British climbers for international expeditions, prioritizing those who have been BMC members for at least two years. Grants are aimed at younger climbers and under-represented groups, promoting sustainable practices in expedition planning. Eligible teams must demonstrate a commitment to climbing and innovative objectives, while ineligible projects include commercial expeditions and those failing to adhere to grant conditions. This funding aims to foster significant personal development and environmentally conscious climbing.

The NCI Research Specialist Award (R50) supports clinician scientists involved in NCI-funded clinical trials. This funding opportunity encourages the development of stable research careers by providing salary support and autonomy, allowing clinician scientists to contribute to national clinical trial development and implementation. They play a critical role in sustaining the NCI clinical trials network without serving as principal investigators. This award aims to ensure continuity in cancer research careers.

The FY26 Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Research Program (TBIPHRP) aims to support impactful health services research that connects research, practice, and policy. It emphasizes building real-world evidence for interventions and clinical guidelines tailored to specific populations. Key features include requirements for clinical trials, preliminary data, and community-based participatory research approaches. The program also offers an Early-Career Investigator Partnering Option to foster collaboration between seasoned and emerging researchers.

The FY26 Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Research Program's Clinical Trial Award aims to fund impactful clinical trials that address psychological health issues and traumatic brain injury (TBI). This award supports a variety of interventions, requires preliminary data, and mandates community-based participatory research approaches. It offers two research levels: one for pilot studies and early trials, and another for larger, advanced trials assessing effectiveness in relevant populations.

The FY26 Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program Impact Award promotes significant research aimed at enhancing clinical cancer care. It requires preliminary data to ensure feasibility and emphasizes projects with a strong potential for immediate impact. This funding supports clinical trials and allows for either a single Principal Investigator or a duo of partnering PIs, ensuring that both can contribute distinct aspects of the research. Applications must be carefully coordinated to avoid withdrawal risks.

The DoW Peer Reviewed Cancer Clinical Trial Award supports the rapid initiation of clinical trials aimed at significantly improving cancer treatment. Projects may range from small pilot studies to large-scale phase III trials, focusing on innovative products, drugs, or devices. This award mandates the inclusion of patient advocates and prohibits animal studies, ensuring that all preclinical work is completed prior to the award start date. Regulatory applications must be submitted if required for the proposed trials.

The FY26 Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program's Idea Award promotes innovative, high-risk cancer research initiatives. It supports groundbreaking concepts that advance cancer knowledge, patient care, and treatment options within the Military Health System. Projects must demonstrate creativity and innovation, avoiding incremental advancements. Notably, the Early Career Investigator Option is available to foster the growth of promising new investigators early in their careers. This award aims to make significant contributions to cancer research for Service Members and Veterans.

Saginaw Area Health Care Administrators Scholarship

The Saginaw Area Health Care Administrators Scholarship was established in 1987 to help advance health care for the elderly and ill elderly. The scholarship provides cash awards to assist employees of association members in meeting educational expenses. Each year, employees in the areas of administration, nursing, dietary, maintenance, and other health-related occupations are invited to apply for scholarships.

Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin

The Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin gives everyone the opportunity to make significant and lasting gifts to their community. We manage over 320 funds that enhance Portage and Waushara counties. Together with our generous donors, we create a strong culture of philanthropy in Central Wisconsin.

We are a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1982 to provide scholarships and grants to organizations and projects that improve the quality of life in Portage and Waushara counties.

Scholarships

The Community Foundation proudly supports students in Portage and Waushara counties with over $325,000 in scholarships annually, thanks to the generosity of local individuals and families. Award amounts range from $500 to $40,000, opening doors to educational opportunities.

Whether you're a student seeking financial support or a donor looking to grow a scholarship fund, we invite you to explore available opportunities and learn how you can be involved.

Don & Mary Hamerski Memorial Scholarship Fund

Qualifications: Graduating High School seniors from a Central Wisconsin high school.

MIND (Maximizing Innovation in Neuroscience Discovery) Prize

The Pershing Square Foundation’s (PSF) brain initiative funds cutting-edge research that revolutionizes our ability to predict, prevent, and treat neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Advancing our fundamental understanding of the brain and cognition to ultimately combat neurodegeneration and related diseases is a goal of increasing urgency. Breakthroughs in basic scientific and translational research will yield critical tools for and knowledge of NDDs, including Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia, which affect millions of people worldwide.

The MIND (Maximizing Innovation in Neuroscience Discovery) Prize supports and empowers early-to-mid-career investigators to rethink conventional paradigms around NDDs. Modeled after the Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research, the MIND Prize catalyzes interdisciplinary approaches and facilitate collaborations across academic departments and institutions. It fuels the groundbreaking research that will accelerate our understanding of NDDs at every level.

Projects may range from the invention of novel tools, techniques, and technologies for mapping and analyzing the brain to bold approaches that demonstrate extraordinary therapeutic potential. Research domains may include—but are not limited to—neurobiology, brain imaging and mapping, machine learning, drug delivery, and synthetic biology. Applicants are encouraged to propose bold, hypothesis-driven, high-risk, high-reward research with the potential for transformative impact. Tool and technology development are permitted when they support the testing of a clearly defined biological hypothesis. Screening may be part of the proposed work, but should not be the sole focus. Clinical components are permitted, but proposals should not center on clinical trials or medical device testing in humans.

MIND Prize winners each receive $250,000/year for three years, and they become part of a unique network of researchers associated with PSF. Generally, at least six prizes will be awarded annually. Benefits include:

• Facilitated partnerships with like-minded researchers within and across institutions
• Networking programs such as collaborations and discussions with industry mentors, introductions to philanthropic and for-profit investors in the business community, special industry networking and entrepreneurship events, and more
• An annual retreat
• Opportunities to present at conferences and events (hosted by PSF and other organizations)