Civilian Research and Development Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Civilian Research and Development Foundation backs scientists addressing multiple international challenges, particularly global security.
IP TAKE: This foundation seeks to deconstruct scientific silos, which means it likes when projects require partnerships or multiple players. This may not be the funder for those who are not collaborative with peers. It’s a tough funder to attract unless you work in its focus areas and your work gets tapped on the shoulder. To attract attention here, your work needs to stand out in your field.
PROFILE: Based in Arlington, Virginia, the Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF Global) was established in 1995 as “an independent nonprofit organization that promotes international scientific and technical collaboration through grants, technical resources, training, and services.” The foundation has satellite offices in Arlington, Virginia; Amman, Jordan; and Kiev, Ukraine as it seeks to promote “safety, security, and sustainability through science and innovation.” Its programmatic support invests in global security, health, and development, and women in science.
Grants for Global Security, Human Rights and Science Research
CRDF prioritizes global security grants above all others, and all of its programs touch on this issue in one way or another. Its related work here is predominantly conducted through a scientific lens. The CBRNE Security program (CBRNE is an acronym for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high yield Explosives) seeks to “strengthen international safety and security culture by enhancing risk management practices, improving in-country detection and response capabilities, securing facilities, and encouraging collaborative partnerships to reduce risk.” The Border Security programs include strengthening strategic trade control systems, sanctions implementation, law enforcement and border security training, and equipment procurement. CRDF believes cyber-attacks and threats are some of the most pressing concerns for national security across the globe. To that end, its Cybersecurity programs work to “engage the cyber-community at all levels to ensure current, as well as aspiring cybersecurity leaders are ready to take on tomorrow’s threats.”
CRDF conducts much of its approach to global security through a science lens. Women in Science and Security promotes increased involvement from women in the STEM and CBRN security fields through the creation of development and leadership opportunities, and by linking women with regional and international mentors in the field. CRDF’s International Exchanges program connects scientists, innovators, students, lawyers, journalists, and others with international opportunities and professional training in order to encourage increased collaboration with peers worldwide.
Grants for Global Development
The foundation’s Innovative Ecosystems initiative seeks to catalyze locally led innovation and entrepreneurship. These programs work “to boost economic development, identify and pursue effective pathways to commercialization, and build in-country capacity to incubate and accelerate new ideas through technical assistance and cross-sectoral partnerships.”
Grants for Global and Public Health
CRDFs Global Health program seeks to strengthen “global health and health security through collaborative technical assistance and research to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks and other global health challenges.” Public health grants through the program support “research that promotes collaboration between scientists in the U.S. and abroad.” The foundation supports a variety of global health concerns, including, but not limited to HIV/AIDS, infant health, tuberculosis research, drug abuse, water-borne pathogens, and regional infectious disease prevention and surveillance.
Grants for Women and Girls
The foundation’s Women in Science program supports organizations increasing “opportunities for women to contribute their knowledge and expertise in communities around the world.” Interests include increasing the global female scientist population, promoting collaborative research, training the next generation of leaders, and gender equality.
Important Grant Details:
Grant amounts range from about $5,000 to over $600,000. CRDF does not offer grants for projects involving early childhood, primary, or secondary education. Moreover, grants are not awarded for fundraising activities, or military and/or weapons-related research. The foundation provides additional funding opportunities, which grant seekers should check often as they change often. In addition, CRDF offers both research fellowship and program management opportunities.
In general, CRDF does not accept unsolicited grant applications or requests for funding.
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