How to Get Paid for Research Studies

A number of options exist to finance research studies, many of which include stipends to maintain researchers during the research process. While the applications for funding may be complex, and the competition for funding may be keen, the sheer number of funding sources should allow you to find at least some funding, particularly if your proposal is valuable, and you target sources specifically interested in your research area. The most important thing to remember while seeking research funding is to cast a wide net, applying to numerous governmental, private, foundation and academic sources until you find the right fit and a willing donor.

• 1

  Create a detailed, clear and attention-grabbing research proposal. Although many donors will require that you follow a specific application process and fill out their forms, having a clear research proposal to start out with will help you clearly identify your research goals and how to present them to potential donors. Your basic proposal can then be tailored to each individual application process.

• 2

  Apply for governmental grants. Many governments provide research grants to their own citizens and to others conducting interesting and relevant research. Most governments will also have a centralized database of research grants by field, making good matches relatively easy to find. In the United States, for instance, the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health manage huge grant budgets.

• 3

  Contact relevant foundations that support research in your field. Many large foundations, such as the Ford Foundation and the Guggenheim Foundation, provide sizable, multi-year grants for research in a variety of fields. Foundation grants can also be a good option for long-term support of a project.

• 4

  Apply to private sector grant offerings and calls for proposals. While private sector grants tend to be in more narrow fields, many very well-funded options exist and the donors are sometimes more flexible than large institutional or governmental organizations.

• 5

  Look for openings in research laboratories in your field. While you may want to conduct your own, very particular research, some research centers will accommodate individual projects within their field of study and, for the long-term, being a member of an established research laboratory can help you access new funding opportunities and better understand the most current research projects in the area. Academic work like post-doctorate programs can also increase your legitimacy as a grant applicant.