Because there is broad consensus that university research is a long-term, national investment in the future, the federal government supports nearly 60 percent of the research performed at universities. Most university research projects start out as funding proposals put together by one or more researchers. The individual who directs the project is the Principal Investigator . Applications submitted by colleges and universities may request funds for support of graduate student Research Assistants to help carry out proposed projects. In fact, research assistantships provide nearly three-quarters of all federal funding for graduate students.
Agencies generally consider such proposals on a regular cycle.
For new areas of research or areas of new emphasis, a federal agency may issue a program announcement . The Funding Process and Merit Review . Once proposals have been reviewed by federal program managers for eligibility, they are sent to panels of outside experts for additional technical review. Depending on the agency and the program, review panels may be convened in-person or do their work through written correspondence. Reviewers are primarily scientists actively working in research.