As the federal grant funding landscape undergoes changes, it’s more important than ever to stay proactive in seeking funding opportunities. Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation will be sharing a regular round-up of non-federal grants for those looking to diversify their funding sources. As a reminder, SPF offers funding search assistance! Please visit our website to explore some of our funding resources, or contact Research Development Support & Marketing Coordinator Cara Peters at cara.peters@humboldt.edu 

Digital Justice Seed Grants: American Council of Learned Societies- Awards $10k - $25k. The deadline is November 20, 2025. Supports digital projects across the humanities and interpretative social sciences that critically engage with the interests and histories of people of color and other historically marginalized communities through the ethical use of digital tools and methods. In this way, the program seeks to address the inequities in the distribution of access to tools and support for digital work among scholars across various fields, those working with under-utilized or understudied source materials, and those in institutions with less support for digital projects. 

Behavioral Science and Decision Making in Context: Russel Sage Foundation - Recent awards have ranged from $26k- $180k. Letter of intent (LOI) due Oct 27, 2025. Supports projects from multiple disciplines, including economics, psychology, political science, sociology, law, public policy, and other social sciences, to further our understanding of economic, social, political, and psychological decision-making processes, attitudes, behaviors, and institutional practices in public and private contexts such as policing/criminal legal systems, employment, housing, politics, racial/ethnic relations, and immigration.

Public Understanding of Science & Technology: Alfred P. Sloan Foundation - Recent awards have ranged from $26k- $180k. Letters of intent (LOI) accepted on rolling basis for the following program areas: Books, Radio, New Media, Youtube & TikTok, and Television. The purpose of this program is to give people a keener appreciation for the increasingly scientific and technological world in which we live, and to convey some of the challenges and rewards of the scientific and technological enterprise. Its primary aim is to build bridges between the two cultures of science and the humanities and to develop a common language so that they can better understand and speak to one another. The Foundation has established a nationwide strategy that focuses on books, theater, film, television, radio, and new media to commission, develop, produce, and distribute new work mainstreaming science and technology for the lay public. 

Future of Work: Charles Koch Foundation - No funding cap specified. Recent awards have averaged around $500k. Proposals accepted on rolling basis. This program invests in social entrepreneurs who can transform the institutions most responsible for empowering people (business and postsecondary education) to engage in work that enables virtuous cycles of mutual benefit. The following are supported:

• Creating new educational and training pathways that enable individuals to find meaning and purpose in work

• Networks focused on creating career-connected learning programs that can scale

• Development of tools to help implement talent strategies based on aptitudes, mindset, and skills

• Employers establishing cultures where employees find meaning in their work and benefit from the value they create

NOTE: If you are interested in applying or have any questions, please contact our Pre-Award Specialists Pia Gabriel at pg12@humboldt.edu, Kaz Wegmuller at kaz.wegmuller@humboldt.edu, or Jocelyne Takatsuno at jt366@humboldt.edu 

While exploring alternative funding is valuable, continued engagement with federal grants remains critical—consistent applications help demonstrate the demand for these programs and ensure their ongoing availability. We’re here to help you navigate these funding opportunities and keep research thriving at Cal Poly Humboldt.