How to Use the Curated Research Funding Opportunities Page 

Overview 

The Curated Research Funding Opportunities page provides faculty and researchers with direct access to pre-built, discipline-specific funding searches. These searches are created by the university’s research development team to help identify relevant external funding opportunities quickly—without requiring users to build complex searches from scratch. 

Each curated search links to a live feed of funding opportunities from a funding database (such as Pivot-RP). Opportunities are updated automatically as new programs are released by sponsors. Faculty can browse by discipline, run a custom search, or request assistance with developing a tailored search for specific research interests. 

Step 1: Access the Curated Searches Page 

• Navigate to the university’s Curated Research Funding Opportunities page (for example, through the Office of Research or Research Development website). 
• The page includes a brief description of curated searches, a list of discipline-based categories, and a quick search option for customized exploration. 

Step 2: Select Your Discipline or Research Area 

• Review the list of available disciplinary categories, such as: 
  • Engineering & Technology 
  • Agriculture & Environment 
  • Artificial Intelligence & Data Science 
  • Health & Medicine 
  • Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences 
  • Education & Workforce Development 
• Click the category that best matches your research interests. 
• Each category link opens a live, curated search displaying currently available funding opportunities related to that field. 

Step 3: Explore Funding Opportunities 

• After clicking a category, you will be redirected to a page that lists active opportunities within that topic area. 
• The list is automatically updated, with the most recent opportunities displayed first. 
• Each entry typically includes: 
  • Program Title and Sponsor 
  • Application Deadline 
  • Funding Amount or Range 
  • Short Description of the program’s focus 
• Click on an opportunity title to view more details in the funding database (e.g., Pivot-RP). From there, you can view eligibility information, deadlines, and application guidelines. 

Step 4: Use the Quick Search Feature 

• If you do not find relevant results in the curated categories, use the Quick Search box located on the main page. 
• Enter keywords (e.g., “climate resilience,” “STEM education,” “veterinary medicine”) to search the underlying funding database directly. 
• This feature allows you to: 
  • Filter results by sponsor type, deadline, or keyword 
  • Explore interdisciplinary opportunities that may not fit within one curated category 
  • Save and track searches if logged into your funding-database account 

Step 5: Request a Custom Search (Optional) 

• For specialized or emerging research areas, contact the Research Development team (or designated office) to request a custom funding search. 
• Provide a short description of your research topic, relevant keywords, and any funding constraints (e.g., sponsor type, career stage, deadline range). 
• The team can help build a personalized search strategy or add new curated categories if multiple faculty express interest in the same area. 

Step 6: Review and Monitor Opportunities 

• Curated searches are updated regularly, but it’s a good idea to revisit your preferred category at least once a month. 
• Many funding opportunities have recurring deadlines (annual or quarterly), so checking regularly ensures you don’t miss upcoming cycles. 
• When you find a program of interest: 
  • Save the opportunity in your database account (if available) 
  • Share the link with collaborators or your department’s research administrator 
  • Note internal deadlines for limited-submission programs or institutional review requirements 

1. Log in to Your Institutional Account 

• Use your institutional credentials (e.g., Texas A&M NetID or university single sign-on) to access the full suite of Pivot-RP features. 
• Logging in allows you to: 
  • Save and manage your searches 
  • Set up email alerts 
  • Save specific opportunities to your profile 
  • View or follow other researchers 

If you are not logged in, you can still view opportunities but will not be able to save searches or receive alerts. 

2. Refine Your Search 

Once the curated search opens, you can further narrow or broaden the results: 

• Filter options appear on the left panel (desktop) or under “Filters” (mobile). Common filters include: 
  • Funding Type (grant, fellowship, prize, etc.) 
  • Applicant Type (faculty, student, postdoc, institution) 
  • Activity Location (U.S. only, international, etc.) 
  • Citizenship or Residency Requirements 
  • Deadline Type (rolling, fixed, anticipated) 
• Select or deselect filters to instantly update results. 
• You can also enter additional keywords in the search bar at the top to refine the scope of results (e.g., “neuroscience AND diversity” or “machine learning OR AI ethics”). 

3. Save a Search 

• After refining your search results, click “Save Search” at the top right of the results list. 
• Name your search descriptively (e.g., AI in Education Funding 2025). 
• Once saved, the search appears in your Saved Searches under your Pivot profile. 
• You can return to it anytime without having to rebuild filters or keywords. 

4. Set Up Email Alerts 

• When saving a search, check the box labeled “Send me a weekly email with new opportunities” (wording may vary slightly). 
• You’ll then receive automated updates when new funding matches your saved criteria. 
• You can manage or stop notifications anytime under your Profile → Saved Searches tab. 

5. Save Individual Opportunities 

• To track a specific program, click the star icon (★) next to the opportunity title. 
• The star turns gold to indicate it’s saved. 
• Access all starred items later under Saved Opportunities in your Pivot dashboard. 
• You can add personal notes (e.g., “good fit for FY26 proposal,” “collaborate with Dr. Smith”) to each saved opportunity. 

6. View Other Researcher Profiles 

• Click “Profiles” on the Pivot homepage or from the main navigation bar. 
• Search by name, institution, department, or research keywords. 
• Each researcher profile typically includes: 
  • Areas of expertise and keywords 
  • Selected publications 
  • Recent funding activity (if public) 
• You can follow other researchers to stay informed about their updates or to identify potential collaborators. 
• If your institution integrates with ORCID, you can also link your own profile to your ORCID record. 

7. Edit or Create Your Own Profile 

• From your Pivot dashboard, click “Edit Profile” to update your research interests, keywords, and affiliations. 
• Keeping your profile current improves the relevance of automated funding recommendations. 
• You can make your profile public within your institution or private, depending on your preferences.

8. Share Opportunities with Colleagues 

• Click the envelope icon on any opportunity to email the link directly to collaborators, administrators, or students. 
• The message automatically includes a summary of the opportunity and a direct link to the full record. 

9. Access Help and Tutorials 

• Click “Help” in the top navigation bar within Pivot-RP for quick guides and short video tutorials. 

• Topics include: saving searches, using advanced filters, managing alerts, and building your profile. 

For personalized assistance, contact the Research Development Services team or the Office of Sponsored Research. 

Best Practices 

• Start broad, then narrow down: Begin with a broad category, then refine using the database filters or Quick Search. 
• Bookmark key categories: Save your most relevant curated searches for quick access. 
• Stay logged in: If your institution uses a licensed database (like Pivot-RP), logging in allows you to save searches and set alerts. 
• Sign up for alerts: Many databases allow you to receive email notifications when new opportunities match your saved search criteria. 
• Collaborate: Share relevant opportunities with colleagues in other departments to identify potential interdisciplinary projects. 
• Ask for help: The Research Development team can assist with interpreting eligibility requirements, connecting you with internal resources, or developing proposal ideas.