Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits in Puerto Rico

The MPPEP Phase 3 program aims to enhance processing capabilities for invasive, wild-caught catfish, benefiting both processors and fishers. By increasing processing capacity and volume, the initiative seeks to create fair wages and stable job opportunities, fostering economic growth in rural areas. This grant will support innovative strategies that ensure sustainable practices and elevate incomes within the community, thus contributing to the overall development of the meat and poultry sector.

The Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance, funded by the Agricultural Marketing Service, aim to support eligible organizations in enhancing cold storage capabilities within the food supply chain. This initiative focuses on providing essential nutrition assistance to low-income individuals through subawards to food banks and nonprofit organizations. By investing in cold storage equipment, the program seeks to improve the management and distribution of food resources, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive adequate support.

The WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program offers funding to eligible entities for developing local solutions to water management issues. This initiative supports watershed group development, restoration planning, and project design, promoting stakeholder cooperation and improving water reliability. It aligns with key priorities from the Trump administration, addressing complex water challenges and enhancing federal grant oversight. By facilitating these efforts, the program aims to stretch limited water resources and foster collaborative solutions among diverse stakeholders.

The FY26 Tick-Borne Disease Research Program (TBDRP) Therapeutic/Diagnostic Research Award aims to foster innovative therapeutic and diagnostic research for Lyme disease and other tick-borne conditions. This award supports early-stage drug discovery and evaluation studies, as well as novel diagnostic methods that can be seamlessly implemented in clinical environments, ultimately enhancing patient care and quality of life.

The Pulitzer Center Rainforest Reporting Grant supports journalists reporting on critical issues in tropical forests, particularly in the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia. This grant encourages innovative and collaborative proposals while providing essential resources and training. Grants typically range from $8,000 to $15,000, focusing on underreported topics that connect local and global perspectives. The initiative emphasizes transparency, governance, and in-depth reporting to combat illegal wildlife trade and harmful extraction practices.

The FY26 Tick-Borne Disease Research Program (TBDRP) Idea Development Award aims to fund innovative research that enhances understanding and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. The program encourages creative approaches that challenge existing paradigms and fosters impactful discoveries. A special career development option is available for early-career investigators, offering mentorship and a tailored review process to support significant research advancements.

The HEAL Initiative aims to identify new druggable targets for pain within the understudied proteome. This funding opportunity invites applications for pilot projects that generate preliminary data and tools for exploring these targets. The initiative seeks to enhance research on understudied proteins related to pain management, providing essential funding for biochemical and biological work. This NOFO is part of the NIH's broader effort to develop novel medications that address various aspects of opioid addiction and its consequences.

The US Dept. of Health & Human Services, through the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, is set to announce a funding opportunity focused on HIV research for pediatric and maternal populations. This initiative aims to foster innovative clinical trials addressing critical research areas in HIV, inviting collaborations from experts in various fields. Applications are not currently solicited, but potential applicants are encouraged to prepare for this opportunity.

The DARRP Restoration Implementation Grants aim to enhance marine and coastal habitat restoration through collaboration between NOAA and non-federal partners. These grants address oil spills and hazardous substance releases by supporting restoration activities authorized under various environmental laws. Eligible applicants will implement projects that promote sustainable fisheries, recover endangered species, and boost local economies. Through careful planning and evaluation, recipients will contribute to effective restoration strategies that align with NOAA's mission and the needs of coastal communities.

The Sorenson Legacy Foundation Grant aims to improve lives through support for education, health care, community development, and innovation. Established by James and Beverley Sorenson, the foundation focuses on enhancing art education, medical technologies, and community assistance in Utah. It prioritizes projects that foster artistic growth, promote innovative solutions, and address health care challenges while aiding vulnerable populations. The foundation's commitment to enriching lives reflects a deep-rooted belief in the power of education and community engagement.

The NIH R25 program aims to enhance inclusivity in research education by supporting activities that encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in substance use and addiction sciences. This initiative focuses on skills development courses and research experiences, particularly targeting underrepresented groups in biomedical and behavioral sciences. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization, with optional Letters of Intent encouraged 30 days prior to the full proposal deadline.

The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program - Overdose Response aims to enhance healthcare access in rural areas by addressing urgent needs related to substance use disorder services. This initiative focuses on reducing overdose risks through targeted interventions and support, ensuring that rural communities receive necessary assistance. Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, this program is crucial for mitigating the opioid crisis in underserved regions, improving health outcomes, and promoting overall community well-being.

The Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Centers program aims to provide essential training and technical assistance to combat opioid and stimulant misuse in rural areas. With 10 Regional Centers and a National Coordinating Office, the initiative focuses on high-quality prevention, treatment, and recovery support services for substance use disorders. This program anticipates awarding 11 new grants to enhance community health and safety in addressing polysubstance use challenges.

The OVC FY 2026 Housing Assistance for Victims of Human Trafficking program aims to provide vital housing and support services for victims of human trafficking. This initiative, led by the U.S. Department of Justice, focuses on rapid rehousing, ensuring victims transition quickly into stable, permanent housing. Organizations interested in applying must demonstrate their capacity to deliver comprehensive support aligned with federal guidelines. Applications are due by October 5, 2026, through JustGrants.

The Doyle Undergraduate Fellowship, offered by New Hampshire Sea Grant, provides a unique opportunity for undergraduates to engage in marine resource projects while receiving mentorship and training. This paid fellowship supports students interested in marine-related research and education, with potential earnings of up to $5,000 over a 10-week summer period. By participating, fellows gain valuable insights into coastal and marine management, enhancing their skills and expanding their professional networks.

The Smart Growth America Community Connectors Grant Program supports small and mid-sized cities in addressing divisive infrastructure caused by dangerous roads. With funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this program aims to reconnect communities through temporary street safety projects while fostering skills and partnerships. Eligible teams must represent populations of 50,000 to 500,000 and include both government and community-based organizations. Priority will be given to projects benefiting low-income communities historically affected by disinvestment.

The Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for early career professionals to engage in marine and Great Lakes science and policy within the U.S. government. This one-year, paid fellowship encourages graduate students from accredited programs to explore impactful coastal resource issues. Interested applicants should connect with their local Sea Grant program or the National Sea Grant Office for guidance, especially if they are from Massachusetts, to ensure a competitive application.

The Core State Injury Prevention Program (Core SIPP) aims to enhance public health infrastructure and partnerships to prevent unintentional injuries through data-driven strategies. Focusing on key areas such as traumatic brain injury, falls among older adults, and drowning, it seeks to improve community safety by strengthening data use and fostering collaborations. This initiative supports states in identifying local injury concerns, thus promoting evidence-based prevention approaches and increasing the capacity for sustained public health actions.

The Chemical Countermeasures Research Program (CCRP) Initiative aims to support vital research on the harmful effects of acute exposure to Ultra-Potent Synthetic (UPS) opioids, including fentanyl and its combinations. This funding opportunity encourages studies that enhance understanding and mitigation strategies for these substances, focusing on both immediate and long-term health impacts. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time, with optional Letters of Intent accepted 30 days prior to the proposal deadline.

The Therapeutic Giving: Oncology program by Johnson & Johnson focuses on funding initiatives that enhance patient access to treatments and services, promote health equity, and strengthen healthcare workforces. It supports programs that raise disease awareness, empower patients, and improve health systems with measurable outcomes. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, emphasizing innovative programs addressing healthcare disparities and unmet needs.

This funding opportunity aims to support urgent research evaluating policies that impact health behaviors related to obesity. It is designed for studies that can only be performed with expedited review due to the time-sensitive nature of the research. Applications must demonstrate a compelling need for immediate funding to explore new policies or programs affecting dietary habits and physical activity, with the expectation that successful proposals will receive funding within four months.

The Therapeutic Giving program from Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine aims to support local and regional organizations focused on improving patient access to treatment and advancing health equity. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, with funding preferences for programs that address significant healthcare disparities, mental health initiatives, and innovative solutions with measurable outcomes. The application period for local organizations runs from March 1 to May 31, while national organizations can apply in September.

The Therapeutic Giving initiative by Johnson & Johnson focuses on funding programs in neuroscience aimed at enhancing patient access to treatments and promoting health equity. Nonprofit organizations classified as 501(c)(3) can apply for support from March 1 to May 31. The initiative emphasizes innovative, measurable programs in areas like Alzheimer’s disease and mental health, prioritizing those that address healthcare disparities and improve quality of life for affected individuals.

The NIDDK High Risk Multi-Center Clinical Study Implementation Planning Cooperative Agreements (U34) aims to support high-risk, multi-center clinical studies by facilitating early peer review and assessment of study designs. This program helps in the development of necessary operational documents and essential elements for conducting hypothesis-driven studies focused on diseases relevant to NIDDK. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time, and consulting with NIDDK staff is strongly encouraged.

The NIH is offering access to biospecimens from the ABCD, HBCD, and PATH studies to promote research on health and disease across a lifetime. This initiative encourages projects that utilize these samples to deepen understanding of genetic and environmental influences, particularly substance exposure. Researchers can submit proposals to maximize the scientific utility of these resources, in alignment with the goals outlined under federal health regulations.

Funding Innovative Research

Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation (CKc) prioritizes funding clinical trials, research that is nearing translation to a clinical trial, and young investigator grants.

Grants funded by CKc must be innovative and provide better quality of life or symptom relief than current treatments. 

When possible, CKc will prioritize funding research:

• with a focus on cancers that are under-funded or under-researched,
• with a focus on patient populations who are traditionally underserved.

When possible, CKc will prioritize funding researchers of diverse backgrounds.

For CKc, “innovation” means the invention or application of novel methods or treatments, specifically treatments that have fewer side-effects than standard care, increase a child’s quality of life, and/or create an option for care where there otherwise were few or none (either on primary diagnosis, relapse, or for recalcitrant cancers).

Research Grants

Grant Program: Clinical Trial

$200,000 over 3 years

• PI must hold an academic appointment at the Assistant Professor level or higher
• Preclinical studies must be complete
• If an FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) application is necessary for the proposed clinical study, the IND application should already have passed FDA initial review and be active
• If the PI has recruited additional patient enrollment sites, local IRB approval must be obtained for each site.

• How many treatment options would this study provide for children?
• How accessible is this study for children and families to access?

The Strengthening Services to Prevent the Infectious Disease Consequences of Drug Use initiative aims to enhance prevention services for infectious diseases among people who use drugs (PWUD). It encompasses two components: a biennial survey to assess service gaps and capacity, and increased support for testing and treatment services. The initiative seeks to improve data utilization in service provision, ultimately increasing testing for HBV, HCV, and HIV, and ensuring more PWUD engage in treatment and care.