The Most Popular Grant, Ranked

Choose the grant you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 22, 2024 07:10
In a world bustling with innovative ideas and projects, funding often becomes the critical bridge that turns visions into realities. Determining which grant to pursue can be daunting as each offers unique benefits and challenges. A community-driven ranking of popular grants alleviates this uncertainty, providing a clear, aggregated insight into which opportunities are currently catching the attention and winning the approval of peers. This live ranking not only reflects current trends in grant funding but also encourages your participation to shape these trends further. By casting your vote, you contribute to a broader communal knowledge base, helping yourself and others make informed decisions. Such dynamic input ensures the ranking stays relevant and tailored to real-time preferences and outcomes in grant funding.

What Is the Most Popular Grant?

  1. 1
    79
    votes
    National Institutes of Health (NIH)
    NIH · Public domain
    The NIH is the largest provider of medical research funding in the world, supporting research on everything from cancer to infectious diseases.
    The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a renowned agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. It is the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, with a mission to improve human health through scientific breakthroughs. Established by the U.S. Congress, the NIH plays a vital role in supporting cutting-edge research and development in various health-related fields.
    • Established: July 27, 1887
    • Headquarters: Bethesda, Maryland
    • Annual Budget (FY2021): $42.9 billion
    • Number of Institutes and Centers: 27
    • Primary Function: Funding and conducting medical research
    National Institutes of Health (NIH) in other rankings
  2. 2
    29
    votes

    National Science Foundation (NSF)

    United States Congress
    The NSF funds research across a wide range of scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, computer science, and mathematics.
    The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency of the United States government that supports fundamental research and education in all fields of science and engineering. It aims to promote scientific discovery, technological innovation, and economic growth.
    • Year Established: 1950
    • Budget: $8.5 billion (Fiscal Year 2021)
    • Headquarters: Alexandria, Virginia, United States
    • Number of Employees: Approximately 2,100
    • Mission: To promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense.
  3. 3
    32
    votes

    Department of Education (ED)

    United States government
    The ED provides funding for K-12 education, higher education, and special education programs.
    The Department of Education (ED) is a government agency in the United States responsible for promoting student achievement and ensuring equal access to education. It plays a significant role in the development and implementation of education policies, programs, and initiatives.
    • Established: October 17, 1979
    • Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
    • Secretary: Miguel Cardona
    • Annual budget: $73.5 billion (2021)
    • Staff: 4,400+
  4. 4
    17
    votes
    The NEA supports artists and arts organizations across the country, funding everything from theater productions to visual arts exhibitions.
    The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that provides funding and support for projects and initiatives in the arts. It was created by an act of Congress in 1965.
    • Founded: 1965
    • Type: Independent agency
    • Government: United States federal government
    • Mission: To promote the arts and creativity, and provide funding and support for artistic projects across the nation.
    • Funding: Federal appropriations
  5. 5
    17
    votes
    The NEH funds research and education in the humanities, including history, literature, and philosophy.
    The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is an independent federal agency in the United States that provides funding and support for projects in the humanities field. It was created in 1965 and is responsible for promoting research, preservation, and public engagement in various areas of humanities such as history, literature, philosophy, archaeology, linguistics, and more.
    • Established: 1965
    • Type: Independent federal agency
    • Purpose: Promoting research, preservation, and public engagement in humanities
    • Funding: Provides grants to individuals and institutions
    • Grant Categories: Research, education, preservation, public programs, digital humanities, and more
  6. 6
    14
    votes
    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
    Moreau1 · Public domain
    The EPA provides funding for research and programs related to environmental protection, including air and water quality, climate change, and sustainability.
    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government, established in 1970. Its main purpose is to protect human health and the environment by setting and enforcing regulations related to air and water quality, hazardous waste, and pollution prevention. The EPA conducts research, sponsors and supports environmental education programs, and provides grants to organizations and projects that promote environmental protection and sustainability.
    • Year of establishment: 1970
    • Type: Independent agency
    • Main focus: Environmental protection and regulation
    • Authority: United States federal government
    • Responsibilities: Enforcing regulations, conducting research, providing grants
  7. 7
    4
    votes
    Department of Agriculture (USDA)
    Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0
    The USDA provides funding for agricultural research, rural development, and food assistance programs.
    The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a governmental agency in the United States that is responsible for developing and executing policies related to farming, agriculture, forestry, and food. Its primary goal is to enhance agricultural productivity, ensure food safety, protect natural resources, and promote rural development.
    • Established: May 15, 1862
    • Headquarters: Washington, D.C., USA
    • Secretary: Sonny Perdue
    • Annual Budget: $153 billion (2020)
    • Number of Employees: Over 100,000
  8. 8
    8
    votes
    Department of Energy (DOE)
    US Department of Energy · Public domain
    The DOE funds research and development in energy technologies, including renewable energy, nuclear energy, and fossil fuels.
    The Department of Energy (DOE) is a government agency in the United States responsible for energy-related policies and programs. Its primary mission is to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the country. The DOE promotes the development and implementation of sustainable energy technologies, advancements in nuclear security, and scientific research. It also oversees the nation's nuclear weapons program and manages the disposal of nuclear waste.
    • Established: August 4, 1977
    • Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
    • Secretary: Dan Brouillette
    • Annual Budget: Approximately $38 billion
    • Employees: Approximately 100,000 federal and contractor employees
  9. 9
    10
    votes
    Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
    Photo: Kjetil Ree Architect: Marcel Breuer · CC BY-SA 2.5
    The HUD provides funding for affordable housing, community development, and homelessness prevention programs.
    The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a United States government agency responsible for ensuring decent and affordable housing, promoting homeownership, and supporting community development. It was created to address the growing need for safe and affordable housing options in urban areas, as well as to combat discriminatory practices in the housing market.
    • Date of establishment: September 9, 1965
    • Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
    • Secretary: Marcia L. Fudge
    • Mission: To create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all
    • Programs and Initiatives: HUD provides assistance through various programs such as rental assistance, public housing, homeownership opportunities, community development block grants, fair housing initiatives, and more
  10. 10
    5
    votes
    The SBA provides funding and support for small businesses, including loans, grants, and counseling services.
    The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a United States government agency that provides support, resources, and grants to small businesses. It was created with the aim of helping entrepreneurs and small business owners succeed in starting, growing, and managing their businesses.
    • Year of creation: 1953
    • Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
    • Mission: To aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small businesses
    • Services provided: Loan programs, business counseling, federal contracts, disaster assistance, and advocacy
    • Grants offered: Various grants for research and development, innovation, exporting, veteran-owned businesses, and more

Missing your favorite grant?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for popular grant

  1. Relevance and alignment with grant-maker's priorities
    It is essential to consider how closely the grant aligns with the funding organization's mission, goals, and strategies. Grants that closely match these priorities are more likely to be popular among applicants and receive funding.
  2. Overall funding amount and distribution
    The size of a grant, meaning its overall funding amount and number of awards given, is another critical factor. A grant with a more substantial funding pool and higher number of recipients will likely be more popular.
  3. Grant duration and sustainability
    Grants that provide longer-term investments in projects or organizations can be more popular than short-term, one-time grants as they allow for more in-depth work and sustainability.
  4. Accessibility and eligibility requirements
    Grants with less restrictive eligibility criteria, including geographic location, applicant type, and project scope, will likely be more popular as they're accessible by more applicants.
  5. Application process and timeline
    A clear, streamlined, and manageable application process, along with reasonable deadlines and a transparent review timeline, can make a grant more attractive to potential applicants.
  6. Level of competitiveness
    The popularity of a grant will also be influenced by its level of competitiveness. Grants with higher chances of success for applicants can lead to increased interest and popularity.
  7. Impact and recognition
    Grants that offer significant potential for creating meaningful impact, along with recognition, visibility, and prestige for awardees, can also influence a grant's popularity.
  8. Opportunities for collaboration
    Grants that encourage or require partnerships, collaboration, or alignment with other organizations, networks, or initiatives can be attractive to applicants seeking expanded networks and resources.
  9. Flexibility and adaptability
    Grants that offer some level of flexibility in terms of project objectives, budget allocations, or other conditions can be more popular, as applicants can tailor their proposals to meet their specific needs.
  10. Grantor reputation and track record
    A grant-making organization's reputation, track record of funded projects, and support for grantees can significantly affect a grant's popularity. Applicants will be more inclined to apply to grants from reputable organizations with a history of successful projects and a strong commitment to grantee support.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular grant. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Grant is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2010 views
  • 213 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Grant once every 24 hours. The rank of each Grant is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Categories

More information on most popular grant

Grants are a popular form of financial aid that can help individuals and organizations achieve their goals. They are essentially free money that does not need to be repaid, making them a highly sought-after resource. There are various types of grants available, including government grants, private foundation grants, and corporate grants. Each grant has its own set of eligibility criteria and application process. Some of the most popular grants include education grants, business grants, and community development grants. Education grants are awarded to students to help cover the cost of tuition and other expenses related to their education. Business grants are designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs start or expand their businesses. Community development grants are awarded to organizations that aim to improve the lives of people in their local communities. Overall, grants can be an excellent source of funding for those who qualify, and they can make a significant impact on the lives of those who receive them.

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