[Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region](https://www.cfgcr.org)

April 15, 2026

$1,000–$12,500 per award; project period not to exceed one year

Supports research, biotechnology, laboratory medicine, science, math, and youth STEM programs in New York's Greater Capital Region.

--- ## Description The Bender Scientific Fund provides competitive grants to advance discovery and development in medicine, science, and technology within the Greater Capital Region of New York State. The fund supports research in medicine, biotechnology, and life sciences, as well as educational and information-science projects related to these fields. Special emphasis is placed on early-stage research and educational efforts that promote ongoing discovery and learning, with encouragement for smaller nonprofits and schools to apply for projects engaging youth in scientific exploration. --- ## Due Dates - Full application deadline: April 15, 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - Typical grant size: $1,000–$12,500 - Grant period: Up to one year; multi-year funding is not available --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status or have a qualifying fiscal sponsor. - Projects must serve and be located within the ten-county Greater Capital Region of New York State: Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, and Washington Counties. - Individuals are not eligible to apply. - Institutional overhead and conference/meeting costs are not supported. - Projects involving human subjects, vertebrate animals, hazardous materials, or recombinant DNA require special review. - Salary or per diem costs are not routinely funded but may be considered with justification. --- ## Application Process - Applications are submitted online through the Community Foundation’s [Grant Lifecycle Manager (GLM) portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/sl/g47Jcv). - No pre-application is required for this fund. - Detailed instructions and applicant tutorials are available via the [GLM Applicant Tutorial](https://support.foundant.com/hc/en-us/articles/4479853059991-GLM-Applicant-Tutorial). - For technical assistance, see the [GLM Applicant Tutorial](https://support.foundant.com/hc/en-us/articles/4479853059991-GLM-Applicant-Tutorial) or [Need Help Setting Up Your Account?](https://support.foundant.com/hc/en-us/articles/4479853059991-GLM-Applicant-Tutorial). - Review the [2026 Grant Guidelines](https://cfgcr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-Grant-Guidelines.pdf) for additional details. --- ## Additional Information - The fund is especially interested in proposals from smaller nonprofits and schools that promote youth engagement in medicine, biotechnology, and life sciences. - Overhead, conferences, and meetings are not eligible for funding. - Decisions will be made by July 2026; applicants will be notified of their proposal's progress. --- ## External Links - [Grant Program Page](https://cfgcr.org/grants/) - [2026 Grant Guidelines (PDF)](https://cfgcr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-Grant-Guidelines.pdf) - [2026 Grant Schedule (PDF)](https://cfgcr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-Grant-Schedule.pdf) - [GLM Applicant Tutorial](https://support.foundant.com/hc/en-us/articles/4479853059991-GLM-Applicant-Tutorial) - [Apply via GLM Portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/sl/g47Jcv) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Title | Email | Phone | Web Contact Form | |---------------------|---------------------------------------|------------------------------------|------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Shelly Connolly | VP of Community Grantmaking | [sconnolly@cfgcr.org](mailto:sconnolly@cfgcr.org) | (518) 446-9638 | [Contact for Grants](https://cfgcr.org/contact/?routing=grants) | | Melisa Logan | Program Officer / Database Admin | [mlogan@cfgcr.org](mailto:mlogan@cfgcr.org) | (518) 446-9638 | [Contact for Grants](https://cfgcr.org/contact/?routing=grants) | | General Inquiries | - | info@cfgcr.org | (518) 446-9638 | [Contact for Grants](https://cfgcr.org/contact/?routing=grants) |

Bender Scientific Fund

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