Washington and Lee University
We assist with this kind of funding search through the Faculty Grant Support function of our office. While we are one staff working on both areas, they are distinct operations. CFR activity involves projects that effect the university ― curriculum development for a new course, support for equipment, speaker series or professorships ― rather than your individual scholarship alone. If you’re not sure in which domain your idea falls a general test is to ask (excuse the vulgar bottom line) where the funding ends up. If you keep the money, it’s a faculty grant. If the money goes into the university budget, it’s a CFR project. In either case, contact with our main office is a necessary step.
I have an idea for a university project. What’s the first step in getting it off the ground?
The first thing to do is talk with your department head and dean. If your idea has institutional support we will work with you to find potential funders and develop a proposal.
If it’s my idea for an initiative I want to run, but a university project, what’s my role once funded?
In most cases your role would be Project Director. As director you would oversee the project and make sure that your expectations ― and commitments to the funder ― are met. CFR staff is available to help you sort through the details involved in running a project.