Experiment.com specializes in funding early-stage research projects by way of “crowd-funding” (similar concept to Kickstarter).
Here is a recent example of the type of research funded: https://experiment.com/projects/what-are-the-patterns-and-effects-of-american-crow-movements
QT:{{”
11. Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project
Enter a brief descriptive title of the project. This field is required.
A “new” application must have a different title from any other PHS project with the same PD/PI. A “resubmission” or “renewal” application should normally have the same title as the previous grant or application. If the specific aims of the project have significantly changed, choose a new title.
A “revision” application must have the same title as the currently funded grant.
NIH and other PHS agencies limit title character length to 81 characters, including the spaces between words and punctuation. Titles in excess of 81 characters will be truncated. Be sure to only use standard characters in the descriptive title: A through Z, a through z, 0 through 9, space ( ), and underscore (_).
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How Long Can the US Stay on Top? Universities are increasingly tied to #philanthropy vs federal & state #funding
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/340/6139/1394.summary
Robber Baron University: Stanford, JHU, Rockefeller, CMU, Vanderbilt, Rice, Drexel
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-11-203.html
interesting mechanism that seems to involve NIH, DOE, NSF, &c
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2013/feb/20/breakthrough-prize-silicon-valley-entrepreneurs Lander, Botstein, Vogelstein and Cornelia Bargmann…Lewis Cantley, "I almost fell over. I didn’t even know this prize existed." He turned 64 on Wednesday.