Few granting agencies will fund such things as ongoing library projects, salaries of continuing staff, general operating expenses. These are seen as budgetary and management issues to be solved by the academic institution itself. Rather, the sorts of projects which are most likely to meet with a favorable response from granting agencies are those which identify an important, unique, discrete and doable undertaking with measurable benefits to a defined constituency which are unlikely to be accomplished with current budgetary allocations. Projects involving cooperation with other institutions tend to be given priority by some funders, and most federal and state proposal guidelines and applications give specific instructions on collaborative requirements. Private agencies include foundations, corporations, and individuals.
Public agencies encompass all government and quasi-government departments or organizations.
Understanding this bifurcation is important. In this category also are proposal submissions to foundations and corporations. All proposals to government agencies and allied organizations go through Cornell's Office of Sponsored Programs, and are coordinated by Ed Weissman. Each type of funding program has a unique set of criteria for proposal submissions and contact. Foundations are most likely to fund projects where a congenial relationship between the foundation and the submitting individual or institution has been established over time.