Creating a successful funding search requires that you complete three steps that serve to narrow and specify your search for best results. We have also added a "troubleshooting" section for common problems.

1. Determine which informational resources to use
2. Decide what type of search to perform
3. Complete a search form to locate funding information
4. Funding Search Troubleshooting

1. Determine which informational resources offer the best "fit" for your needs.

First, consider your research area. In general, all researchers will want to begin with a search in Community of Science (COS). Though the name of this services refers to the sciences, this database also contains a wealth of funding information for social sciences, humanities, and community outreach projects.

For researchers who are completing a concentrated funding search, as well as those in the social sciences and humanities, use the Illinois Researcher Information Service (IRIS) in addition to COS.

Though Community of Science does contain foundation listings, researchers may also wish to access North Carolina Giving Online. Available to Duke University researchers in the Funding Resource Center, this database provides information on specifically on North Carolina foundations.

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2. Decide which type of search fits your needs.

What would best fit your informational and time needs? Would you rather have

a) search results that you can return to at a later time, as well as having them automatically updated with new funding information; or

b) search results available only at the time you do the search, but with a less of an initial time investment?

Researchers who want a comprehensive funding search should choose option "a" and plan to spend about an hour creating a funding alert. A funding alert is a customized, saved search which is updated weekly, emailing you any new results in your research area.

To sign up for a COS Funding Alert:

• Register for a profile by providing the required information. filling out the search form. (Registered users may create up to five funding alerts.)
• Choose "Launch My Workbench"
• Scroll down to the subheading "Access Your Funding Alerts"
• Choose "Add an Alert"
• Choose "Advanced Search Interface" to reach the search form

  Those who prefer option "b" may go directly to the search form

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3. Complete the search form by describing yourself and your research interests and projects.

Before beginning, open the search form in a separate window than the search form instructions.

Search Form Instructions

(COS also provides instructions as well, but continue through this list to use the concise, ORS-authored instructions)

First, complete step A or B:

A. Information on specific sponsor agency or grant/fellowship title - fill out one of the first four fields (All Fields - Abstract) and do not fill out the rest of the form to search.

B. All possible database results for your research - fill out the eighth - twelve fields (Keywords - Funding Type), holding down the "Control" key to choose multiple options.

For answers common questions on how to describe yourself and work for a funding search, click here.

Next, follow these steps:

• Click on the Preview button at the bottom of the search screen.
• Look at the number of results, ie. Records Found at the top of the page. An ideal comprehensive search for most users should locate between 30-200 records. The most common way to broaden or narrow your search is by generalizing or narrowing the disciplinary area keywords used in your search. If necessary, use the back button to return to your form and revise your search.
• Name the search in the space provided at the top of the page, then click on Save This Search
• You will be provided with two columns, allowing you to choose whether or not to include these keywords in your Expertise Profile, which is provided for each COS user so researchers can find out informationa about one another. Click Save These Changes to save your search.
• You should then be returned to your COS Workbench. To see your search results again, choose Modify Alerts and Preview This Search.

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4. Troubleshooting & Common Questions

A. What is the website address that will take me to my completed funding search?

Answer: http://workbench.cos.com

B. How do I get to my search results from my COS workbench?

Answer: Under Access Your Funding Alerts, choose Modify Alerts, then choose Preview This Search.

C. Why am I not getting any results?

Answer: Carefully check how you filled out your search form. Make sure that you:
1) did not change any of the automated "check off" boxes included at the bottom of some fields;
2) double-check that you filled in the eight - twelfth fields (Keywords - Funding Type);
3) did not fill in any of the first four fields (for a general search.)

Please let Judith Andersson, the ORS Outreach Coordinator, know if you have any further questions or suggestions for the troubleshooting section.

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Last modified by Steven Abels on November 28, 2007.