Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in South Carolina

The Native Plant and Wildflower Education Grant offers up to $500 for educational programs focused on native plants and wildflowers. State Garden Clubs and similar organizations can co-sponsor symposia aimed at increasing awareness and knowledge about native flora, including endangered species and habitat management. Programs should be scheduled to coincide with wildflower blooming periods, promoting public planting initiatives and the design of native gardens.

The Simons Foundation's Scientific Software Research Faculty Award supports faculty positions focusing on scientific software development in mathematics and physics. It aims to enhance research capabilities by providing five years of salary support and a $50,000 yearly research allowance. Awardees must have a Ph.D. and demonstrate leadership in scientific software. This initiative addresses the career limitations faced by software experts and encourages applications from underrepresented groups.

APA Mission Statement

The American Philosophical Association promotes the discipline and profession of philosophy, both within the academy and in the public arena. The APA supports the professional development of philosophers at all levels and works to foster greater understanding and appreciation of the value of philosophical inquiry.

APA: Nicholas Rescher Prize

The Prize winner will receive a $1,000 award upon delivering the prize lecture. If travel funding presents a financial hardship to the selected winner, and if funds in the Prize endowment are, in the APA’s sole discretion, sufficient to do so, up to $1,000 in travel funding may be provided.

The Nicholas Rescher Prize Lecture will be published in the Proceedings and Addresses of the American Philosophical Association or any other publication where the APA regularly publishes the other prize lectures. The Nicholas Rescher Prize winner will be recognized by a letter and certificate from the APA, the usual APA announcement of prizes, and appropriate recognition in an APA prize reception.

Nature of the Prize

Winners of the Prize will have made substantial, outstanding contributions to systematic metaphysics, broadly construed, during the course of their careers. The Prize winner must agree to present a lecture (to be named “The Nicholas Rescher Prize Lecture”) on a topic in systematic metaphysics, broadly construed; the lecture should be accessible to a broad philosophical audience. The lecture will be presented at an APA divisional meeting, normally a meeting within one year following the selection of the Prize winner. The lecture will be presented biennially, and will rotate among the divisional meetings on a regular schedule set by the APA.

Nominations

Any APA member may nominate any other APA member for the Nicholas Rescher Prize; self-nominations are not permitted. Nominations must include a brief statement of support from the nominator.

Only members may submit nominations; please sign in to access the nomination form.

To submit a nomination, fill out the nomination form.

Selection Process

The selection committee may provide additional nominees for the Prize during the selection process. Members of the selection committee are appointed by a process determined by the APA, in its sole discretion, consistent with other prizes the association awards.

Award

• Frequency: Every other year in odd years
• Next Award: 2029
• Next Deadline: April 20th, 2028

The Senior Chemists Mini Grant for Local Sections, offered by the American Chemical Society, is designed to support local events that engage senior members in innovative activities. Grants are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and funding can be used for various events including recognition luncheons, mentoring for undergraduates, collaborative activities with younger chemists, and community support events such as science fairs.

The AWI Implementing Refinement Grant, offered by the Animal Welfare Institute, aims to enhance the welfare of animals in experimentation. Grants up to $8,000 support equipment purchases or staff training for implementing proven refinements. Eligible applicants must be from the U.S. or Canada, and projects should be completed within a year. The grant focuses on improving animal lives beyond basic needs, ensuring no funds are misused for indirect costs or basic care.

The Early Career Postdoctoral-Faculty Bridge Grant, offered by the American Chemical Society, supports postdoctoral fellows or new faculty members in their first 9 months as they establish independent research careers in green and sustainable chemistry. This grant provides funding for up to two years, covering salary, benefits, and travel expenses for a postdoctoral associate. The program aims to foster mentorship and training, ensuring a strong foundation for future academic success.

The Rise for Education Grant Program offers funding for hydroponic classroom gardens that enhance STEM education and nutrition. This initiative encourages hands-on learning, integrating STEM and arts through practical gardening projects. Eligible applicants include schools, homeschooling families, and educational organizations. The program fosters community building and entrepreneurship via activities like Farmer's Markets, while boosting student engagement and developing essential skills. By implementing this program, educators can create an engaging and interactive learning environment year-round.

The AAG Award for Community College Program Excellence honors outstanding non-Ph.D. granting Geography programs in the U.S. It recognizes departments that have significantly enhanced Geography's prominence and reputation. Eligible programs include those offering associate, baccalaureate, or master-level degrees. The award focuses on compelling vision, pedagogical innovation, student mentorship, and promoting diversity. Nominations are carefully evaluated to ensure fair recognition of each program's unique contributions to the discipline.

The Burg-Coleman Iowa State 77 ACI Fellowship, offered by the ACI Foundation, supports graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in civil engineering focused on concrete structures or materials. Recipients receive a $10,000 stipend for educational expenses, recognition in Concrete International magazine, and coverage of travel costs for two ACI conventions. Open to international students attending institutions in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico, this fellowship fosters the next generation of leaders in the concrete industry.

The Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Grant, offered by the Mars Wrigley Foundation, supports projects that explore and share chocolate's rich cultural history. Launched in 2013, this grant aims to educate the public about chocolate's global significance and its impact on heritage. Projects can include research, immersive experiences, and publications. Awardees must present their findings at Heritage Chocolate Society meetings, emphasizing educational impact, equity, and inclusion in their proposals.

About Us

Alpha Omega Alpha, founded in 1902, is the national medical honor society. Its mission is: dedicated to the belief that in the profession of medicine we will improve care for all by:

• recognizing high educational achievement;
• honoring gifted teaching;
• encouraging the development of leaders in academia and the community;
• supporting the ideals of humanism; and
• promoting service to others.

Medical Student Service Leadership Project Grant

AΩA is committed to preparing future leaders in medicine and health care. Leadership is about making a positive difference and can be developed through education, observation, experience, and by working with leader mentors. Service learning provides excellent opportunities for students to develop as servant leaders. Only one team from each school may be nominated.The Grant

The grant is a $9,000, two-year grant – $5,000 the first year, and $4,000 the second year. The grant will be paid to the sponsoring institution. 

American Physical Society

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and around the world.

APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.

Polymer Physics Prize

To recognize outstanding accomplishment and excellence of contributions in polymer physics research. The prize consists of $10,000, up to $1,500 in travel reimbursement, and a certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient. It is presented annually.

Nominations will be considered for three review cycles provided the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline.

American Physical Society

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and around the world.

APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.

Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Physics Prize

The Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Physics Prize recognizes and encourages outstanding theoretical or experimental contributions to condensed matter physics. The prize consists of $20,000 and a certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient or recipients. It will be awarded annually.

Nominations will be considered for three review cycles provided the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline.

The Albert J. Beveridge Grant for Research in the Western Hemisphere, awarded by the American Historical Association, supports research on the history of the United States, Canada, and Latin America. Grants, funded by the Beveridge Memorial Fund, are available annually and can cover various research expenses, including travel and access fees. Preference is given to advanced doctoral students and non-tenured faculty. Eligibility is limited to AHA members, ensuring a focus on high-quality historical scholarship.

The ASNT Foundation: Charles Hellier III Scholarship aims to support students pursuing studies in nondestructive testing (NDT). This scholarship honors Charles Hellier III, a pioneering figure in the NDT community, and provides financial assistance to aspiring professionals. The Foundation also engages in research, workforce development, and offers scholarships to enhance education in NDT, ensuring that individuals are well-prepared for careers in this vital field.

The AHNS Presidential Award supports innovative research focused on understanding treatment resistance in head and neck cancer. With a funding amount of $10,000 for one year, eligible candidates include medical students, residents, and faculty at the associate professor level or below who are AHNS members in good standing. Projects must demonstrate a translational focus and collaboration across disciplines, aiming to yield actionable insights within the award period.

The Engagement Award: Capacity Building aims to enhance the skills of patients and stakeholders in patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) and comparative effectiveness research (CER). With funding of up to $300,000 for projects lasting up to two years, this initiative seeks to foster meaningful participation from patients, families, and caregivers. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) anticipates distributing up to $25 million for these efforts in fiscal year 2026, emphasizing community engagement in research.

The AAO-HNSF Maureen Hannley Research Grant offers $50,000 for one year to support research addressing clinical gaps in otolaryngology. Eligible applicants include otolaryngologists in the U.S. or Canada, emphasizing projects with direct patient significance. The grant encourages junior faculty and mandates a letter of support from department chairs. Funds cannot cover principal investigator salaries but can support non-clerical staff. This initiative aims to enhance the development of independent researchers focused on patient-oriented outcomes.

The NIH's Investigator-Focused Award (Parent R35) aims to support research programs for investigators at all career stages, including Early Stage Investigators. This funding provides stability and freedom in research, allowing for innovative and ambitious studies without the constant pressure of securing new grants. Key benefits include flexibility in research direction, opportunities to tackle significant questions, and a greater potential for scientific breakthroughs, fostering a robust research environment.

The AHNS Pilot Grant offers $20,000 for one year to support innovative research in head and neck oncology. It is aimed at medical students, residents, and junior faculty who are AHNS members. The grant encourages clinical and translational studies that focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of neoplastic diseases in this field. Applicants must submit letters of support from their department and advisors to ensure adequate resources and supervision during the project.

Village of the Living Dead Kenneth Fulton Memorial Scholarship

Kenneth Fulton was a member of the St. Charles Haunted House since its very beginning in 1985 until his passing at the haunted house in 1998. He volunteered and also brought along with him his kids and brothers to volunteer as well. Ken was a quiet gentle man that loved what the haunted house stood for and who it was all about – the kids. His favorite character to play was Michael Myers. He was tall and quiet and was able to scare the patrons with his eerie silence. He loved the members of the haunted house as his own family. He is greatly missed and would be so proud to be a part of this scholarship.  

Evaluation Criteria

• Community service (50)
• Financial need (25)
• Letters of recommendation from two volunteer organizations (13)
• Extracurricular/school activities (12)

The Michael Foundation Grant supports Waldorf Education in North America, focusing on training centers and individuals. Grants typically range from $2,000 to $6,000, with occasional larger amounts. Eligibility includes AWSNA/WECAN membership and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. The foundation prioritizes teacher training programs and requests from individuals who have completed their initial training year, aiming to assist those most in need.

The CCWH/Berks Graduate Student Fellowship, offered by the Coordinating Council for Women in History, provides a $1000 award to graduate students in U.S. history departments who are completing a dissertation. This fellowship aims to support crucial research stages or the final year of writing. Applicants must be graduate students who have achieved A.B.D. status and may specialize in any history field, ensuring diverse representation in women's history.

The ARS Women in Rhinology Research Grant, sponsored by Medtronic, offers $25,000 for one year to support innovative research in rhinology. Eligible applicants must be members of the American Rhinologic Society who have completed their residency, with at least one female investigator involved. The award covers legitimate research costs, with a detailed budget required. Results must be presented at an ARS national meeting, acknowledging the grant's support. This initiative fosters women's contributions to rhinology research.

The AHNS Alando J. Ballantyne Trainee Research Pilot Grant aims to support innovative research in head and neck oncology, focusing on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of neoplastic diseases. Open to residents in U.S. or Canadian training programs who are AHNS members, this grant encourages collaboration across disciplines and requires letters of support from academic chairs and mentors. Projects should yield useful results within the award period, with a total funding limit of $20,000.

The David A. Evans Award for the Advancement and Education of Organic Synthesis, presented by the American Chemical Society, recognizes exceptional achievements in organic synthesis research and education. Established in 2023, this award includes a $5,000 prize and reimbursement for travel expenses up to $2,500 for the award ceremony. It promotes inclusivity, granting opportunities irrespective of race, gender, or background, fostering a diverse scientific community committed to advancing chemistry.

The AAO-HNSF Resident Research Award provides $10,000 to support innovative resident research in otolaryngology. It encourages projects that enhance patient safety and quality improvement, focusing on collaboration with preceptor investigators. Applications must include letters of support and a detailed budget. This grant aims to foster original, scientifically valid research that can significantly advance the field of otolaryngology and improve healthcare outcomes.