Best Grants for International Development in Pennsylvania

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) seeks to enhance predoctoral and postdoctoral research training through a new funding opportunity, the T90/R90 program. This initiative aims to develop a skilled research workforce to meet the nation's biomedical and clinical research needs. Although applications are not currently being accepted, potential applicants are encouraged to form collaborations and prepare responsive projects. This program will support diverse trainees, fostering innovation in trans-disciplinary research.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is initiating a funding opportunity aimed at advancing research careers through mentoring networks. This program focuses on providing educational activities, mentor support, and skills development for graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and early career investigators. The goal is to enhance their chances of securing NIH research grants and to foster their professional growth in scientific careers. Applications are currently not open, allowing time for collaboration and project development.

The Kansas Osteopathic Medical Service Scholarship aims to attract primary care physicians to rural Kansas. It provides $41,000 annually for up to four years of study at accredited osteopathic schools. Recipients must commit to practice in designated underserved areas of Kansas for one year for each year of funding received. Eligibility requires residency in Kansas and completion of financial aid applications by specified deadlines.

The Career Women’s Network Scholarship Fund, established by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, empowers non-traditional female students aged 25 and older to pursue higher education. This scholarship promotes leadership and personal development for women in the community, offering varying amounts each year. Recipients may renew their awards for up to four years, contingent on meeting eligibility criteria. The fund honors Katherine Walters, who valued education and aimed to assist women in achieving their academic goals.

The Gerald M. Friedman Fund Grant, established in 2002, honors the contributions of Gerald M. Friedman to sedimentary geology. It supports graduate students in their research and travel for professional development. Eligible candidates must be in good academic standing and have completed at least one semester of graduate study. This fund, initiated by Friedman's former students, reflects his legacy in academia and the field of sedimentary geology.

The AFS Travel Grant, offered by the Austin Film Society, supports Texas-based filmmakers by covering travel costs to competitive film festivals worldwide. Since its inception, the grant has provided crucial financial assistance, enabling filmmakers to gain exposure and foster industry connections. Eligible applicants can receive up to $1,500 for travel, helping them navigate the financial challenges of festival participation. This initiative strengthens the local creative community and promotes diverse storytelling in the film industry.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is one of three NOFOs for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). NCORP is designed to enhance generalizability and dissemination of clinical trial results through accrual in a variety of community settings. The purpose of NCORP is to engage cancer patient populations, those at risk of cancer, and organizations in rigorous studies focused on cancer control, prevention, treatment and care delivery. NCORP will support the following components that will be individually awarded through the respective Request for Applications (RFAs) indicated below:

• NCORP Research Bases (UG1 Clinical Trials Required);
• NCORP Community Sites (UG1 Clinical Trials Not Allowed); and
• NCORP Academic Community Sites (UG1 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is one of three NOFOs for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). NCORP is designed to enhance generalizability and dissemination of clinical trial results through accrual in a variety of community settings. The purpose of NCORP is to engage cancer patient populations, those at risk of cancer, and organizations in rigorous studies focused on cancer control, prevention, treatment and care delivery.NCORP will support the following components that will be individually awarded through the respective RFAs indicated below:

• NCORP Research Bases (UG1 Clinical Trials Required);
• NCORP Community Sites (UG1 Clinical Trials Not Allowed); and
• NCORP Academic Community Sites (UG1 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)

NCORP Community Sites are consortia of community hospitals and/or oncology practices, which may or may not be formally affiliated in a healthcare system, that accrues participants to cancer control, prevention, treatment and care delivery clinical trials and other human subjects research.

The Travel & Training Fund, established by the Women’s Sports Foundation, has supported over 1,500 female athletes since 1984, including Olympians and national team members. Grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 aim to alleviate financial burdens for women athletes pursuing elite competition. Prioritizing those with a plan to contribute back to women's sports, the fund emphasizes eligibility for U.S. citizens or legal residents, ensuring a significant impact on the recipients' athletic journeys.

The Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program Grant, initiated by State Farm and the National Volunteer Fire Council, aims to support volunteer fire departments in acquiring critical safety equipment. In 2025, the program will award $1.5 million in grants, providing $10,000 each to 150 eligible departments. This initiative not only enhances firefighter safety and operational efficiency but also fosters community service, ensuring that these departments are well-equipped to respond effectively to emergencies.

The Worden Christian Youth Ministry Scholarship supports full-time students entering their third or fourth year at an accredited four-year college or university, who plan to pursue a career in youth ministry. Candidates must demonstrate financial need and engage in school and community activities. Preference is given to those intending to serve as youth ministers in the Sioux Falls area, ensuring that the scholarship aligns with the mission of enriching local lives through philanthropy.

The Diekemper Sofia Scholarship, established by Mrs. Lou Dunn Diekemper, supports students aged 40 and older enrolled in the global program at Sofia University in Palo Alto, California. This initiative, part of the Community Foundation of West Texas, aims to create a lasting impact on students' lives through educational opportunities. By fostering personal growth and development, the scholarship helps build a stronger future for individuals and the community as a whole.

The Henry Hanff Fellowship Award offers a unique opportunity for practicing North American trauma surgeons to enhance their skills through a short-term fellowship at a trauma clinic in North America or Europe. Sponsored by AO North America, the fellowship lasts four to eight weeks and covers airfare and a stipend for living expenses, with a total award not exceeding $5,900. Participants must submit a report on their experience for publication, enhancing professional development and collaboration.

The Kathryn Cramer Early Career Research Development Award provides essential start-up funding for orthopedic trauma surgeons in the U.S. and Canada, who have completed their fellowship within the last five years. This award aims to support innovative research projects that can be accomplished within two years, fostering professional development and collaboration among surgeons. Applicants must be members of AO Trauma and demonstrate early success in their research endeavors.

The Gladys W. Cole Memorial Research Award, established by the Geological Society of America (GSA), supports research in geomorphology of semiarid and arid terrains in the U.S. and Mexico. Aimed at GSA Members or Fellows aged 30 to 65, it recognizes significant contributions to the field. Candidates can reapply if additional funding is needed. Notably, funds cannot be allocated for completed work. This award honors Dr. W. Storrs Cole's legacy and contributions to geosciences.

The Crop Science Graduate Student Scholarship, supported by the Gerald O. Mott family, offers financial assistance to outstanding graduate students pursuing M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in crop science. Candidates must demonstrate leadership potential and be enrolled in U.S. institutions, while also being members of CSSA or ASA. Self-nominations are allowed, but former recipients and members of the CSSA Awards Committee are ineligible. This scholarship aims to promote excellence in agronomic education.

The AOFAS Resident Scholarship Program provides orthopaedic residents from the US and Canada the opportunity to attend the AOFAS Annual Meeting 2025 in Savannah, Georgia. Covering registration fees, lodging, and transportation, this program supports residents interested in foot and ankle surgery. Eligible applicants are PGY1, PGY2, or PGY3 residents who can attend the full program on September 10-11. This unique experience allows networking with leading surgeons and gaining insights into foot and ankle procedures.

The Free Tax Prep Coalition (FTPC), funded by United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, aims to provide high-quality tax preparation assistance to families and individuals through the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This initiative supports income-eligible individuals, including those with disabilities, limited English proficiency, and military families. FTPC seeks partners to enhance its outreach and effectiveness in delivering these essential services within the community.

The Roy J. Shlemon Scholarship Award, offered by the Geological Society of America, supports graduate students pursuing research in environmental and engineering geology. Award amounts vary annually, with at least one scholarship for Master's and one for Doctoral research. The program encourages applications from women, minorities, and persons with disabilities, and requires evaluations from two faculty members. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed, emphasizing the competitive nature of the funding.

Gray for Glioblastoma Society

A 501 (c) 3 created to raise awareness for and funds to support Glioblastoma Multiforme research by accepting donations and donating to cancer care and research facilities. Our organization has gifted over $275,000 to support GBM research projects at renowned cancer centers including The Ty Miller Lab at Case Western Reserve University, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Children’s Hospital LA/Saban Research Institute and The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke. We accomplish this while simultaneously creating a hopeful and positive space and providing resources and a space of community through our social media and events.

Gray for Glioblastoma Grant

Gray for Glioblastoma Society (GFG) is dedicated to funding projects that advance glioblastoma (GBM) research and move the needle forward in care and quality of life. We invite proposals that align with our mission and demonstrate meaningful impact in the GBM space.

The James Paul Sutton Medical Research Fund Grant supports non-profit organizations engaged in cancer and medical research, established through a trust by the Sutton family. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt. Preference is given to cancer research initiatives, while grants are not available for individuals, political groups, or for-profit entities. This fund aims to sustain medical research efforts for the long term, continuing the legacy of the Sutton family.

Lois Roth Foundation

The Lois Roth Foundation honors the life and work of Lois Wersba Roth. Since 1987, it has sought to promote and encourage dialogue across national, linguistic and cultural boundaries, with an emphasis on the humanities, arts and social sciences. Foundation programs are conducted in collaboration with a range of partners and focused on three domains: Fulbright & Academic Collaborations, Cultural Diplomacy, and Literature & Translation.

Cultural Diplomacy

In recollection of Lois Roth’s efforts to promote cross‐cultural understanding and cooperation as a US Foreign Service Officer, the Roth Foundation partners with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) (US State Department), to provide the department’s four awards honoring excellence in the field of cultural and educational diplomacy.

The types of qualities displayed by recipients of Roth Foundation cultural diplomacy awards include:

• Cross‐cultural sensitivity and understanding for all—regardless of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin or disability—and the courage and intellectual integrity to bring alternate facts and opinions into open conversation
• Ingenuity and imagination in creating projects, programs and products to deepen the contact between foreign intellectuals, artists and professionals and their US counterparts
• Familiarity with global affairs and foreign languages, to deepen substantive discussion between US and foreign intellectuals, scholars and professionals
• Patience, wisdom and generosity in helping new colleagues, both international and US, develop their careers
• Special skill in promoting collaborations between US and foreign institutions and high‐quality exchange opportunities with the civil sector.

Gill Jacot-Guillarmod Award

Established in 2013, Gill Jacot-Guillarmod Awards recognize Locally Employed Staff members at US embassies and consulates who have made outstanding contributions in educational and cultural diplomacy to missions shared by the U.S. and the host country. These awards are named in honor of Gillian (Gill) Jacot-Guillarmod who served for 35 years at the US Mission in South Africa and Embassy in Pretoria, spanning the apartheid period to the emergence of democracy.

Such staff members share their deep institutional memory, personal relationships in the community and knowledge of local culture, society and politics. They also maintain continuity at US embassies and missions worldwide, as US Foreign Service Officers rotate every few years, and play an important role as mentors to new colleagues and supervisors alike. 

Nomination Process

Every spring, the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will internally circulate details regarding nominations for the four Lois Roth Foundation Awards. State Department supervisors are invited to submit nominations in all four categories.

Lois Roth Foundation

The Lois Roth Foundation honors the life and work of Lois Wersba Roth. Since 1987, it has sought to promote and encourage dialogue across national, linguistic and cultural boundaries, with an emphasis on the humanities, arts and social sciences. Foundation programs are conducted in collaboration with a range of partners and focused on three domains: Fulbright & Academic Collaborations, Cultural Diplomacy, and Literature & Translation.

Cultural Diplomacy

In recollection of Lois Roth’s efforts to promote cross‐cultural understanding and cooperation as a US Foreign Service Officer, the Roth Foundation partners with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) (US State Department), to provide the department’s four awards honoring excellence in the field of cultural and educational diplomacy.

The types of qualities displayed by recipients of Roth Foundation cultural diplomacy awards include:

• Cross‐cultural sensitivity and understanding for all—regardless of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin or disability—and the courage and intellectual integrity to bring alternate facts and opinions into open conversation
• Ingenuity and imagination in creating projects, programs and products to deepen the contact between foreign intellectuals, artists and professionals and their US counterparts
• Familiarity with global affairs and foreign languages, to deepen substantive discussion between US and foreign intellectuals, scholars and professionals
• Patience, wisdom and generosity in helping new colleagues, both international and US, develop their careers
• Special skill in promoting collaborations between US and foreign institutions and high‐quality exchange opportunities with the civil sector.

Jodie Lewinsohn Career Achievement Award

The Jodie Lewinsohn Career Achievement Award honors the most accomplished and longest-serving Locally Employed Staff members, particularly those who are nearing retirement. It is named for a distinguished U.S. Information Agency Foreign Service Officer who was a close friend and mentor to Lois Roth and who also served as the head of the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, when Gill Jacot-Guillarmod was working there. In 2022, Jodie left a legacy in her will to endow this award in perpetuity. This award recognizes those who are nearing the end of their careers for long-standing dedication to their work and their success in what Gill described as “helping the United States while helping your own country.” 

Nomination Process

Every spring, the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will internally circulate details regarding nominations for the four Lois Roth Foundation Awards. State Department supervisors are invited to submit nominations in all four categories.

The AMVETS Children/Grandchildren Scholarship supports the educational aspirations of children and grandchildren of honorably discharged U.S. veterans and active military. This scholarship aims to bridge financial gaps after all federal and state assistance has been utilized. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens, high school seniors, and demonstrate financial need while enrolled in accredited four-year universities. Incomplete applications will be disqualified, ensuring that the award goes to deserving candidates committed to their education.

The AMVETS Spouse Scholarship offers financial support to the spouses of honorably discharged veterans and active military personnel, including National Guard and Reserves. This scholarship aims to bridge financial gaps after other federal and state resources have been exhausted. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programs, demonstrate financial need, and not be in default on federal student loans. AMVETS stands committed to empowering military families through education.

The AMVETS Veteran, Active Duty & Guard/Reserve Scholarship provides financial assistance up to $12,000 for qualified U.S. Veterans and active military members pursuing undergraduate degrees. This scholarship is designed to bridge the financial gap after all other federal and state aid has been utilized. Eligibility includes being an honorably discharged veteran or active service member, enrolled in an accredited institution, and demonstrating financial need. AMVETS is dedicated to serving those who have served our country.

The AAFP Foundation's Center for the History of Family Medicine Oral History Grant offers up to $3,000 annually for oral history interviews in family medicine. Aimed at researchers, physicians, and students, it encourages the documentation of family medicine's history in the U.S. The grant supports travel and research expenses to enhance the oral history collection, ensuring a diverse representation of experiences and perspectives in the field.