Frequently Asked Questions

Can anyone at FIT apply for a grant?

Yes, any faculty member, staff member, or student can apply for internal or external funding (subject to eligibility requirements).

The Office of Grants & Sponsored Programs focuses on faculty and institutional program and research grants, though we are available to provide some guidance for students when we have availability.

In general, students interested in applying for fellowships, scholarships, or internships should reach out to International Education, Financial Aid, or the FIT Career and Internship Center.

I've never applied for a grant before. Where do I begin?

Don't worry! We provide grant and proposal writing assistance and training.

Our experienced staff will be happy to work with and guide you in the entire grant submission process, from crafting a strong grant proposal, to drafting a project budget, to post-award oversight.

We can also partner with you in creating/writing proposal content and brainstorming on projects.

I have a great idea, but where can I get funding for it?

The Grants staff is always available to discuss ideas! Please reach out to us at [email protected].

You can also research funding opportunities by searching InfoEd® Global SPIN, a large database of grants. This subscription database is available free of charge to all FIT faculty, students, and staff. SPIN is web-based and accessible anywhere using your fitnyc.edu email address. Please contact our office to set up your account and access SPIN.

SPIN isn't giving me suitable matches. Are there any other grant research resources?

Yes, our office can provide suggestions tailored to your specific projects, research needs, or interests. We are familiar with many sources of funding from FIT, SUNY, federal and NY state agencies, as well as private foundations and corporate foundations. Also check out: Find Funding

How can I team up with other FIT faculty and staff to discuss potential collaborations?

The Grants Office periodically provides programs that:

gather all interested parties to discuss their projects and also the potential for cross-divisional collaborations;
demonstrate the SPIN research database where you can develop a user profile;
give you opportunity to discuss your interests with our staff

We meet with a lot of faculty! So you may want to contact us to see if others have compatible ideas for collaborative work. We can help you reach out.

I don’t have time to submit a grant or navigate the grants process. Is there any hope?

We understand that you’re busy. We can provide you with a realistic idea of the time involved, and work with you to make the grant process easier. We can help make your experience not only professionally rewarding, but personally gratifying. Contact us before you give up!