Best Financial Assistance Grants in Montana

The National Science Foundation (NSF) invites U.S. researchers to apply for Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIGs) in Arctic Sciences. This initiative aims to support innovative research that enhances understanding of the Arctic's changing environment and cultural systems. The program seeks to foster early career scientists and strengthen STEM workforce development, while also promoting collaboration across federal and international partners to advance Arctic research and logistical capabilities.

Beckley Area Foundation

Beckley Area Foundation was established in January 1985 by ten community-minded citizens. It began with a gift of $1.1 million from the Dr. Thomas Walker Memorial Health Foundation as “seed” money for this Raleigh County project. BAF assets have grown to over $70 million with over 500 different funds managed by our three trustee banks. Today, Beckley Area Foundation is one of West Virginia’s largest community foundations.

Since its inception, BAF has distributed over $23 million to charities and other worthy projects in the fields of education, public recreation, health & human services, the arts, animal services and beautification.

Scholarships

The Beckley Area Foundation proudly manages scholarship funds established by individuals, businesses, and organizations dedicated to helping students pursue higher education. Many of these scholarships are tailored for specific schools, fields of study, or graduates from local high schools, while others offer broader opportunities. No matter the path, our scholarships aim to support students from our region as they work toward achieving their educational goals.

Most of these scholarships must be awarded to students from our geographic area or at least preference given to such students. While the majority of scholarships benefit Raleigh County applicants there are others designated for Fayette, Summers, Webster, and Wyoming students. 

Appalachian Scholarship

High school graduate from Appalachian coal fields enrolling in an engineering program at a technical college or university such as Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech, MIT, Cal Tech, Colorado School of Mines, or the engineering schools of Virginia Tech and Texas A&M; Applicants planning to attend engineering schools not listed must contact the BAF office to determine if it is a donor approved program. The recipients are to be selected based on their academic potential.

This scholarship is renewable.

The Faerie L. Angle Memorial Scholarship Fund, established by the Foundation for Enhancing Communities, provides scholarships to aspiring lawyers from Franklin County, PA. Eligible candidates must have been accepted into a three-year J.D. program, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 to 3.5, and demonstrate financial need. This initiative aims to support local talent in pursuing legal education and fostering community engagement through the legal profession.

The Luce/ACLS Collaborative Grant in China Studies offers up to $150,000 for innovative pilot activities aimed at addressing pressing challenges in China Studies over 12 to 18 months. The grant encourages collaborative proposals that enhance teaching resources, develop open-access materials, and promote professional development. Successful projects may lead to new networks, sustainability plans, or white papers. This initiative aims to foster transformative change within the academic community focused on China.

Bureau of Justice Assistance

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) was created in 1984 to reduce violent crime, create safer communities, and reform our Nation’s criminal justice system.

BJA strengthens the Nation’s criminal justice system and helps America’s state, local, and tribal jurisdictions reduce and prevent crime, reduce recidivism, and promote a fair and safe criminal justice system. BJA focuses its programmatic and policy efforts on providing a wide range of resources, including training and technical assistance, to law enforcement, courts, corrections, treatment, reentry, justice information sharing, and community-based partners to address chronic and emerging criminal justice challenges nationwide. 

Special Attorneys Program

This program will support state, local, Tribal, and territorial prosecuting agencies in assigning or hiring qualified prosecutors to serve full time as Special Attorneys within the National Fraud Enforcement Division or the Criminal Division or as Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSAs) within a United States Attorney’s Office. These cross-designated prosecutors will investigate and prosecute fraud and other crimes committed by aliens within the United States (hereafter referred to as “criminal aliens”) and will investigate and prosecute crimes involving drug or human trafficking committed within the United States.

This grant program, authorized under Public Law 119-21, Title X, Subtitle A, Part II, Section 100055 (codified at 34 U.S.C. § 61101), is intended to strengthen investigative and prosecutorial capacity, expand intergovernmental coordination, and enhance the ability of jurisdictions to investigate and prosecute fraud and other crimes committed by aliens within the United States and drug and human trafficking crimes. The program is also intended to increase the availability of cross-designated prosecutorial personnel who can pursue these matters in coordination with federal authorities and contribute to the effective enforcement of applicable criminal laws.

Foundation of the Federal Bar Association

The Foundation of the Federal Bar Association provides the best way for practitioners to give back to the Federal legal community. Chartered by Congress in 1954, the Foundation serves people in communities across the United States through its generous grants, scholarships, and programming.

Our Mission: The Foundation’s mission is to:

• Promote and support legal research and education;
• Advance the science of jurisprudence;
• Facilitate the administration of justice;
• Foster improvements in the practice of Federal law

Foundation Grants

Foundation grants support community service projects and civics programs which comply with the Foundation’s mission to promote and support legal research and education; advance the science of jurisprudence; facilitate the administration of justice; and foster improvements in the practice of Federal law.

Community Outreach Grant

The Community Outreach Grants Program is designed to support projects and initiatives that provide legal services in local communities. Through targeted funding, the program empowers FBA chapters, sections, divisions, national standing committees (FBA entity) and other organizations to develop and support projects that make a lasting impact on their communities.

Applicants may only receive one (1) Foundation grant per year.

The Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) program by the Legal Services Corporation aims to enhance legal services for low-income populations through innovative technology. It encourages partnerships with justice organizations and supports projects that improve service delivery and efficiency. With a minimum funding request of $40,000, the program seeks to implement new strategies or enhance existing technologies to provide high-quality legal assistance. The initiative fosters replication of successful methodologies from previous projects and other sectors.

Jack and Jill of America Foundation Scholarship

The Jack and Jill of America Foundation Scholarship will provide need-based scholarships of up to $2,500 to service-oriented college freshmen who have completed a minimum of 60 hours of community service within the last 12 months. Awards will be issued in the 2025-2026 academic year, and may be renewed annually through the senior year.

The Jack and Jill of America Foundation is committed to the positive development of youth and future leaders. Through providing programs focused on financial literacy, education, mentoring, health and wellness, and early childhood development, the Foundation promotes the preparation of succeeding generations of leaders.

The Collaborative Program Grant for Multidisciplinary Teams, funded by the US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health (NIH), supports integrated teams of researchers tackling ambitious projects that individual efforts cannot achieve. This program promotes collaboration among experts with complementary skills, aiming for significant advancements in their fields. Teams are encouraged to pursue innovative objectives that have the potential to transform research landscapes.

The Global Micro-Residencies Grant, sponsored by the Franco Family Institute for Liberal Arts, supports tenure-line faculty from the College of Arts & Letters in pursuing scholarly micro-residencies abroad. With grants up to $7,000, faculty can engage in international collaboration and enhance their scholarship through prestigious host institutions outside the U.S. Additional funding is available for graduate research assistants. The program emphasizes collaborative scholarly exchange and requires prior arrangement with host institutions.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is funding initiatives to enhance the value of scientific datasets through innovative artificial intelligence (AI) methods. This program aims to facilitate interdisciplinary research and unlock new insights by applying AI for feature extraction, metadata generation, and dataset integration. Proposals should ensure data security and promote collaboration with various sectors to advance AI-driven scientific discovery. By aligning with NSF priorities, researchers can contribute to cutting-edge science and technology for broader participation in STEM.

The NIAID Physician-Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) aims to support new independent physician-scientists by facilitating their transition from postdoctoral research to tenure-track faculty positions. This program provides essential research funding to help awardees establish their careers in biomedical research, addressing the national shortage of physician-scientists. Applicants must propose research that does not lead an independent clinical trial, but may include mentorship in clinical trials.

The Skadden Fellowship Foundation, established in 1988, offers two-year fellowships for law graduates to engage in public interest law. With a focus on serving the legal needs of impoverished communities, the program has funded over 900 fellows who contribute significantly to public service. The fellowship covers salaries and benefits, ensuring dedicated legal talent addresses critical issues. Skadden fosters ongoing support through newsletters and reunions, solidifying its commitment to improving legal services across the United States.

The Donald W. F. Ching Memorial Scholarship Fund honors Donald Ching, a dedicated Hawaiian Airlines employee. This scholarship is aimed at students in Hawaii who demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0. Preference is given to first-generation college students and those with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in Aviation at an accredited institution in the U.S. The fund supports educational advancement for future aviation professionals.

The Josephine de Karman Fellowship, managed by the Pasadena Community Foundation, supports final-year PhD students from select California universities with a $28,000 award for the 2025-2026 academic year. This prestigious fellowship, established in memory of Josephine de Karman, aims to honor academic excellence and encourages applicants from diverse disciplines, particularly within the Humanities. Eligible candidates must defend their dissertations around June 2026 and demonstrate exceptional academic achievements.

The PLTW Engineering program, in partnership with Phillips 66, aims to expand access to quality STEM education in underserved communities. With a total grant of $10,000 available for the 2026-2027 academic year, the initiative focuses on middle and high school programs that foster student engagement in engineering and computer science. Priority will be given to schools with high-needs student populations, ensuring equitable educational opportunities and workforce preparedness for future generations.

Continental Resources is dedicated to supporting the communities where it operates by investing in health, education, and industry advocacy. Their charitable donations focus on initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles, enhance educational programs, and advocate for the oil and gas industry, which is vital for job creation and energy security. By standing alongside their industry peers, they aim to educate the public about the benefits of oil and natural gas, fostering a brighter future for all.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

The Reuter Scholarship Fund

• Interested in pursuing a career in engineering, science or technology
• Based on good moral character and student’s overall performance as to academic ability and standing, extracurricular activities, success in dealing with life’s challenges in individual circumstances and financial need

The Graduate Student Conference Support Fund, provided by the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies, aims to assist ABDs and recent PhDs in attending the Annual Meeting. This fund offers free or reduced registration for eligible students. Each year, the number of awards depends on contributions to the fund. Membership in ASECS is required for eligibility, and only one award can be granted to each recipient, ensuring broad access to this valuable support.

The JetBlue Foundation is dedicated to enhancing aviation-related education and STEM initiatives, aiming to inspire future aviation leaders. Offering grants up to $50,000, it supports educational organizations that focus on aviation technology, engineering, operations, and maintenance. The foundation prioritizes programs benefiting under-represented communities in aviation, including veterans, women, and diverse groups, ensuring a broader range of voices in the industry.

The NSF Expeditions in Computing program aims to foster transformative research in computer and information science. By funding projects up to $15 million over seven years, it encourages multidisciplinary teams to tackle ambitious research agendas that redefine the future of computing. The program supports innovative areas such as new architectures for intelligence, advanced robotics, and next-generation communication, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across various fields to achieve groundbreaking advancements.

The Professional Formation of Engineers (PFE) initiative aims to enhance the engineering workforce through integrated research and education. It focuses on developing ethical engineers who can adapt to a changing technical landscape. PFE supports diverse training contexts, including formal education, internships, and community experiences, ensuring clear pathways into the profession. This initiative fosters collaboration among engineers, technical workers, and communities, enhancing the skills needed for global competition and technological advancement.

The Organizational Change in the Professional Formation of Engineers (ENGINEER:OC) initiative promotes innovative research and activities aimed at transforming engineering education and workforce development. Supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), it seeks to enhance access to quality engineering programs across diverse institutions. Projects may involve implementing new curricular innovations or adapting existing models to different contexts, ultimately advancing the professional formation of engineers and fostering inclusive educational pathways.

The MMUF Advancement Program offers Adjunct Faculty Fellowships designed for alumni of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship. These fellowships provide essential resources and time to focus on research and scholarship, aiding individuals in securing tenure-track positions. Each fellow receives a $10,000 stipend, a six-month award period, a mentor, and funding to attend a conference. This initiative supports diverse perspectives in higher education, fostering an inclusive academic environment.

The Growing Research Access for Nationally Transformative Equity and Diversity program, funded by the National Science Foundation, aims to enhance the research enterprise by addressing structural barriers and promoting inclusivity. By focusing on administrative support and innovative strategies, the initiative seeks to empower diverse organizations to participate in research. Proposals should target institution-wide impacts and scalable models that strengthen human capital and research practices, fostering a more equitable and competitive research landscape.

The Academic Improvement in Mathematical Sciences Scholarship at Montana State University aims to support students pursuing degrees in Mathematical Sciences. With a focus on academic excellence, this scholarship provides financial assistance to enhance educational opportunities. It reflects the university's commitment to fostering student success through merit-based funding, making quality education accessible to deserving students. By investing in promising scholars, Montana State University continues to build a brighter future in the field of mathematics.

The Dream Big Technology Grant by KindCause.org aims to empower registered 501(c)(3) organizations by funding the implementation of Salesforce CRM. This initiative enhances nonprofit operations, enabling better donor management and campaign efficiency. With automated workflows and integrated tools, nonprofits can improve fundraising efforts and save valuable resources. Successful applicants will receive tailored technology roadmaps and potential funding for essential packages, ensuring they maximize their impact in the community.