Best Chemistry Grants in Rhode Island

Early-career, tenure-track faculty in chemistry and related fields at degree-granting institutions, including those in Rhode Island, can receive US $75,000 for fundamental research expenses through the Alfred P Sloan Foundation Research Fellowship. Funding supports staffing, travel, lab costs, equipment, or summer salary for researchers at colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada.

Rhode Island chemistry postdoctoral researchers and late-stage PhD students can access funding for innovative fundamental chemistry or chemical instrumentation projects through the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, with awards from US $224,000 - US $542,000. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients with limited prior postdoctoral experience and a qualified U.S. nonprofit institutional mentor.

American graduate students of Polish descent pursuing full-time chemistry or related science studies, including in Rhode Island, can apply for tuition scholarships from the Kosciuszko Foundation, with awards ranging from US $1,000 - US $12,000. Funding supports master’s and Ph.D. programs at U.S. institutions and English Schools of Medicine in Poland.

Early-career, tenure-track chemistry and chemical sciences faculty at U.S. bachelor’s- or higher-degree institutions can receive US $100,000 in unrestricted research funding through the Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program. With a mission to advance chemical research and education, the Dreyfus Foundation supports innovative scholar-teachers, including those at Rhode Island universities and colleges.

Educational institutions and programs advancing chemistry, STEM fields, and children’s education can apply for Fash Foundation grants of US $1,000 - US $25,000. With a mission to promote and support children and education, this private funder primarily backs arts and sciences initiatives in higher education, with a focus on Tarrant County, Texas, but open across the U.S.

Environmental and sustainability-focused organizations in Rhode Island and across the U.S. can seek US $25,000 - US $75,000 for multi-state or national projects improving climate, energy, toxics, waste, or clean water systems. Roy A Hunt Foundation supports project management, research, education, outreach, and innovations that influence private-sector decisions and public policy solutions.

Organizations planning chemistry or related neuroscience and disease-area congresses or events in Rhode Island can seek corporate sponsorship to support their initiatives. Biogen Foundation provides funding in exchange for tangible benefits such as exhibit space, banners, recognition, or marketing opportunities, with decisions based on alignment with its focus areas and event details.

The Mentored Quantitative Research Development Award (K25) aims to engage skilled professionals in NIH-relevant research, enhancing their expertise in addressing health-related issues. This award supports individuals with backgrounds in quantitative sciences and engineering, providing them with dedicated time for supervised research and study. Key application deadlines span from June 2024 to February 2027, emphasizing the program's commitment to fostering innovative research in health and disease.

Early- and mid-career PIs in chemical biology at nominated research institutions, including those serving Rhode Island, can apply for Ono Pharma Foundation’s Ono Initiative Grant; awards up to US $1,035,000 for innovative chemistry–biology interface projects. Eligible applicants must hold an MD and/or PhD and be within 15 years of starting an independent position.

Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation

The Foundation was established in September 1977 by Dr. Arnold O. and Mrs. Mabel Beckman to give back to the scientific community.

“The mission of the Foundation is to support leading edge research, in the fields of chemistry and life sciences, broadly interpreted, and particularly to foster the invention of methods, instruments, and materials that open up new avenues of research and application in these sciences and related disciplines. My preference is to favor young investigators, new ideas, and a variety of projects rather than fund large, established ones of long duration.”

Current Foundation Initiatives

Today, the Foundation continues according to the vision laid out by Dr. and Mrs. Beckman:

• Supporting Young Scientists: through our annual grant programs, focused on the most promising young scientists
• Community Support activities: that promote science education and excellence in our local community
• Streamlined operations: so that we don't "spend money to give money away"

"Beckman Family" Awardee Community Support Grants

The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation’s "Beckman Family" Awardee Community Support Grants are open to all current and former Foundation grant awardees and Executive Committee members, specifically from the Beckman Scholars Program, Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellowship, Beckman Young Investigator, and Instrument Grants programs.

As a current or former Beckman awardee or Executive Committee member, if you are actively engaged as a volunteer or Board member in a youth STEM or STEAM organization in your local area, you may apply to this program for funding for a particular project with that organization.

Funding Priorities

Projects should be aligned with the Foundation’s aim of “supporting young scientists today for tomorrow’s breakthrough discoveries” and oriented toward achieving positive outcomes in at least one of the Foundation’s current funding priorities:

• Engaging youth in hands-on science and math activities to encourage curiosity and student-driven exploration and learning.
• Using technology to engage youth in STEM/STEAM.
• Promoting the Beckmans’ legacy of technology innovation and leadership amongst youth.

In addition, the following considerations should be addressed in a proposal for funding:

• Where possible, the Foundation’s contribution to a project or activity should help to build capacity within the nonprofit organization to continue the activity beyond the one-time grant.
• The Awardee/Executive Committee member should discuss how the program will increase access to STEM/STEAM opportunities for the target audience.
• The costs associated with the request should relate to a stand-alone STEM/STEAM project, event, or activity and not part of a broader program, event, or target audience outside the Awardee’s or Executive Committee member's local area.
• Youth registration to participate in the STEM/STEAM project, event, or activity should be open to all in the local area, when possible.

Process & Timeline

Grant funds are directly issued to the organization by the Foundation and include for acknowledgement an indication that the gift was made because their volunteer or Board member is a Beckman Awardee or Executive Committee member.

Requests must be submitted by the Beckman Awardee on behalf of a U.S. nonprofit 501(c)(3), or equivalent, organization exclusively serving youth in their local community. As a matter of policy, the Foundation does not provide grants to non-U.S. organizations or institutions. This program defines the terms “youth” and “youths” as individual(s) 17 years of age or younger.