Level Up Your Learning: Top Grants for Colleges and Students

Grants for colleges and students are excellent for financial aid, but there is more to it than that. They are often the spark behind innovation, equity, and opportunity in higher education. Think about the effect that this kind of funding can have on things like research breakthroughs, life-changing scholarships, and faculty and student development. Grant funding powers the work that colleges and universities do every day. These institutions are engines for economic growth, hubs of discovery, and gateways to a better future. But none of it happens without the right support. GrantWatch is here with grant support for colleges and students!

Find the Right Grants for Colleges and Students

Higher education is evolving. Today’s colleges and universities face rising costs, shifting student needs, and the pressure to remain competitive globally. At the same time, students are navigating affordability challenges, especially those from underserved communities.

That’s why grants are so very important. Whether funding a state-of-the-art STEM lab, launching a mental health initiative, or supporting first-generation students, grants provide non-repayable funding for projects that matter.

Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) use grants to:

• Advance cutting-edge research
• Provide financial aid and scholarships
• Improve campus infrastructure and technology
• Expand diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
• Support faculty and student development

That’s where GrantWatch shines. With dedicated College Scholarship and Higher Education categories, GrantWatch offers a streamlined way for universities and students to find active, verified grants.

Whether you’re an administrator building a new program or a student looking for scholarship help, GrantWatch allows you to search by subject, funding type, or eligibility—with updated deadlines and direct links to apply. Below are two lists of carefully curated grants; a small sampling of the thousands of grants the database has listed. The first is scholarships for students, and the second is directed at educational institutions. Each grant supports a different piece of the higher education puzzle, but they all aim to help institutions and students thrive.

Scholarships for Students

Computing and STEM-Related Degrees:

Grants to USA and UK qualified women undergraduate students with financial needs to promote the completion of computing degrees. Funding is available for tuition and degree-related expenses, or to help students meet urgent or extreme needs. 

3D Computer Graphic Designs:

Scholarships of $1,000 to USA, Canada, and International individuals studying arts, engineering designs, computer graphics, animation, and designs. The purpose of the program is to encourage development and advancements in the 3D industry.

Military and Veterans Business Course:

Scholarships to USA, Canada, and International active duty military and recently discharged veterans to attend a business-related continuing education course. Funding is intended to assist veterans in a successful transition to private-sector employment in the professions of crisis management, disaster recovery, emergency response, and business continuity.

College Freshmen for Full-Time Studies:

Scholarships of $5,000 to USA high school seniors and university and college students in their freshman year for full-time studies. Funding is intended to help students attain academic goals and to support their chosen fields of undergraduate study. 

Educational Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals:

Grants and scholarships to USA nonprofit organizations and individuals in multiple states to expand educational opportunities for individuals who cannot afford them. Funding for individuals is provided in the form of personal scholarships. Funding for organizations is intended to support programs that promote the Foundation’s mission.

Grants for Colleges

Cover the Cost of a Semester Sabbatical:

Grants of up to $15,000 to USA, Canada, and International PhD candidates (ABD) and postdoctoral fellows to cover the cost of taking a semester sabbatical. Funding is intended to allow the grantees to focus on completing their degrees or reaching other milestones without worrying about teaching or research obligations.

Neurological Research Projects:

Grants to USA, Canada, and International researchers affiliated with institutions of higher education for research projects related to neurological disorders. The purpose of the grant program is to support research that addresses gaps in the science of SCN2A-related disorders.

Strengthen Indigenous Populations:

Grants to USA IHEs, Tribal entities, health systems, and nonprofit organizations for initiatives to strengthen Indigenous populations. Applicants must contact the funding source before submitting an application. Focus areas include language revitalization, community leadership, food insecurity, and missing and murdered individuals.

Foster Systemic Change:

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit organizations, research institutions, universities, and private sector entities for projects to foster systemic change. Focus areas include school-based financial literacy programs for youth and research on global food systems.

Projects Related to Research Security:

Grants to USA entities such as nonprofit and for-profit organizations, IHEs, and agencies for projects related to research security. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Funding is intended for collaborative projects that can inform future decision-making on U.S. research security.

The Takeaway

If you’re looking to level up your learning, grants for colleges and students can open all the right doors. Whether you’re managing a university program or trying to afford your next semester, grant funding can be a game-changer.

Explore GrantWatch’s Higher Education listings and take the next step toward innovation, inclusion, and impact, because every great future starts with access to opportunity.

About GrantWatch

With over 9,200 grants currently available, GrantWatch.com is the leading grant listing directory. Upgrade to a MemberPlus+ subscription to view the full grant details, including eligibility criteria and application information. For more information, you can also visit the GrantWatch FAQ page. To see the great value of all 20 of the top GrantWatch features, click here. Watch the latest episode of the weekly GrantTalk podcast by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Get your copy of The Queen of Grants: From Teacher to Grant Writer to CEO, by Libby Hikind to learn more about grant writing!