Using Foundation Funding Posted on November 19, 2007 Foundation grants expand the pool of opportunities, says Terence A. Ketter (bio).

There are a number of foundations that support bipolar disorders research. NARSAD is one of these foundations, and the Stanley Foundation is an example of another. These funding sources in many instances will try to target people who are making that tough transition from being mentored to being independent. And to receive foundation funding, it’s somewhat more liberal than an NIH grant, and indeed the research that is done with these foundation funds can generate pilot data that could be used for an NIH application.

The funding from these organizations is variable and it shifts with time depending on who is the scientific director of the foundation. Looking at things that have been recently funded by that particular foundation, that’s something that can be helpful. I think it’s important to emphasize the potential of synergy between that kind of support and the industry support to generate data. The funds on these kind of start up grants are limited, and so that if you can match it with something else so that you get additive effects, you have got more potential to get things done.

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