Grants for Laboratory Equipment
Laboratories are incredibly essential today. Research studies are extremely crucial for progress in medical science and healthcare.
Laboratories usually require different types of equipment at any given time. However, not all equipment for laboratories is easy to get. Some of the specialized laboratory equipment can range in thousands of dollars.
This often creates problems for budding researchers who cannot afford expensive and complex medical research equipment.
In addition, with new and more efficient equipment being launched every day, research and pathology laboratories are in dire need to upgrade their equipment.
This is where grants of laboratory equipment come in handy. If you are looking to conduct a new study, or need to upgrade your existing laboratory equipment, then you should read on.
How to get funds for Lab Research?
The current pandemic has shown just how essential laboratories are to detect, control and prevent the spread of virulent diseases.
There are several states, federal and private organizations that offer grants for laboratory equipment to applicants.
Grants for Laboratory Equipment – How to get funds for Lab Research
The best funding strategy requires applying for grants at multiple sources simultaneously.
You can even expect a return on investment (ROI). Experts advise on applying for grants at multiple sources so that you can cover all possible financing avenues.
Always be prepared to draft an application for funding which is according to specific criteria of the different sources. Before applying for the grant, you will need to ensure that you have all your paperwork in order.
It is highly essential that you, as an applicant for grants, should remember every eligibility criteria for specific grant sources, this includes meeting the submission deadlines too.
Last, but not least, you will need to be extremely specific when it comes to the aim of the research for which you require grants of laboratory equipment.
One of the best ways to convince lenders/fund-givers to finance laboratory equipment for your lab is to ensure that your application follows a new project, or new research study, or even expansion building, as a way to show you are also focused on business growth.
Where to Apply for Grants for Laboratory Equipment?
You will need to determine the specific funding sources depending on the type of research project you are looking to undertake.
Where to Apply for Grants for Laboratory Equipment
Various funding opportunities give grants for laboratory equipment, including private institutes, nonprofit organizations, along with state and federal grants.
Here are some of the top sources that you can apply for grants for laboratory equipment:
Laboratory Equipment Donation Program (LEDP)
The Laboratory Equipment Donation Program (LEDP) has been established by the US Department of Energy (DOE) to grant surplus and used laboratory equipment for full-time faculty use at universities and colleges across the US.
This equipment is meant for use in energy-oriented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational programs.
The LEDP program is managed by the Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS).
Laboratory Equipment Donation Program (LEDP)
Some of the equipment grants under LEDP include:
- Electrometer, voltmeters and amp meters
- Catalyst test units
- Amplifiers
- Gas and liquid chromatography
- Radiometers
- Spectrometers
- Ion control gauges
- Oscilloscopes
- Power supplies
- Radiation shield
- Recorders, etc.
To be eligible for laboratory equipment from the LEDP, you will have to be a full-time faculty member in a STEM area (computer science, computational science, material sciences, mathematics, geology/geoscience, environmental science, engineering, biology, chemistry, or physics).
To get the additional information and further details, it is highly recommended to visit the U.S. DOE’s Laboratory Equipment Donation Program (LEDP) website.
ORIP’s S10 Instrumentation Programs
The Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP) offers the S10 Instrumentation Grants Program. This grant is aimed at helping researchers purchase advanced commercial testing equipment that enhances research prowess.
Instruments and equipment granted under the S10 Instrumentation Grants Programs are usually expensive and not feasible for purchase by individual researchers or laboratories.
Each instrument or equipment awarded under the S10 Instrumentation Grants Program is used on a shared basis.
This makes the program significantly cost-efficient and benefits thousands of researchers in their academic pursuits.
To be eligible for this award, an institute should have three or more Principal Investigators with active NIH research grants and should highlight the significant need for the requested equipment.
You can apply for S10 Instrumentation Grants Program under three different opportunities:
- Basic Instrumentation Grant Program (BIG) – This program grants awards ranging from US$ 25,000 to US$ 250,000 per applicant.
- Shared Instrumentation Grant Program (SIG) – This program grants awards between US$ 50,000 to US$ 600,000 per applicant.
- High-End Instrumentation Grant Program (HEI) – This program awards grants ranging between US$ 600,001 and US$ 2,000,000.
Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI)
The MRI (Major Research Instrumentation) Program aims to increase access to scientific and engineering equipment for multi-user usage to perform research and research training.
This grant is aimed at institutes of higher education and nonprofit organizations, within the US, that are focused on engineering and science research studies.
The MRI program helps acquire research equipment which is crucial for advances in fundamental engineering and science research. The program also supports the development of advanced research instruments that can open up new frontiers of scientific research.
Besides this, an MRI grant is also helpful to enhance research training for students who have the potential to become the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Under the MRI program, applicants are allowed to request up to US$ 4,000,000 in grants for either development of an advanced research instrument or acquiring a new one. To know the specifics of applying for grants for laboratory equipment under the MRI program, it is highly recommended that you visit the official website of the National Science Foundation.
Conclusion
Scientific research is the core of the development of technology. The dearth of funds to buy essential research equipment should not stop passionate researchers in their pursuit.
The above-mentioned grant sources for laboratory equipment have helped numerous budding researchers become scientists.
If this article was helpful in your search for the best grants for laboratory equipment in the US, then feel free to drop in a comment below and let us know.
Reference links
https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/
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