Funding on ResearchHub: A Guide for Researchers

Arshia Malek Jeffrey Koury

Arshia Malek, Jeffrey Koury

— 3 min read
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Funding on ResearchHub: A Guide for Researchers

ResearchHub is an open-science platform where funders post research questions and researchers apply for funding. We help funders design open requests for proposals (RFPs) and find the right researchers. Applying is much simpler than a traditional research grant.

To apply, you submit a 2-4 page preregistration (proposal) that includes:

  • Background
  • Hypothesis
  • Experimental methods
  • Plan for statistical analysis
  • Budget

Required to receive funds: verify your identity and link your ORCID account to your ResearchHub profile.

Get Funded on ResearchHub

How Does ResearchHub Funding Work?

  1. Browse Funding Opportunities
    • Find an open RFP that fits your lab's expertise.
    • Can't find a match? You can still submit a standalone proposal in the "Proposals" tab.
  2. Submit Your Proposal
    • Click "Submit Proposal" and outline your study using the provided template. Our AI Assistant can help you draft it.
    • Add relevant topics and keywords so funders can find your work.
    • Set your funding goal. Smaller goals are easier to fund, so start with your most essential experiments.
    • Strongly recommended: select your institution's foundation so donors receive a tax deduction, and include your lab and department name so we know where to send the funds.
  3. Open Peer Review
    • Experts in your field publicly review your proposal, usually within about 10 days.
    • Peer review does not determine funding. It gives funders expert context and helps you strengthen your study design.
  4. Get Funded
    • Funders and the ResearchHub community can fund your proposal in cash or ResearchCoin (RSC).
    • Your funding goal must be met by the deadline for funds to go to your university. If it isn't, contributions are returned to the funders.
  5. Funding Completed
    • ResearchHub and our 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner, Endaoment, send the funds to your university as a cash gift for your lab.
    • Funded work can be published as a Registered Report in the ResearchHub Journal.

FAQs

How complicated is it to submit a preregistration?

Most researchers finish in minutes, and our AI Assistant can help you draft it.

If my proposal is public, will I get scooped?

Every proposal on ResearchHub gets a DOI and a public date, so you're credited for your ideas. The ideal proposal has enough detail for another researcher to replicate your work, but share only what you're comfortable sharing.

Does my proposal have to pass peer review to get funded?

No. Peer review is there to suggest improvements and give funders context from experts in your field. It doesn't determine funding eligibility.

Do I have to implement the peer reviewers' changes?

No. None of the suggestions are mandatory. That said, addressing strong feedback is a great way to signal rigor to potential funders.

Can I update my proposal after peer review?

Yes! Peer review is most useful before experiments are done, when there's still time to adjust. Updating your proposal won't affect existing funding, comments, or reviews.

Does my institution need to handle cryptocurrency?

No. All funds go to your university's nonprofit foundation as a cash donation. Endaoment converts any ResearchCoin contributions to cash before sending them.

How does my institution receive the funds?

Funds go to your university's foundation as a standard gift, through our partnership with Endaoment. You won't need to work with your grants office, since the funds arrive as a donation with the note you include in your proposal.

Are there any reporting requirements?

No. Funds are gifts, so reporting isn't required. We do reward open science: funded researchers receive $50 for each progress update they share (text or video).

Do I have to be in the U.S. to apply?

No. We welcome researchers from around the world. International applicants should confirm in advance that their institution has a US 501(c)(3) intermediary to receive funds.

Who should be the author of the proposal?

Anyone in the lab can be the primary author, and you can add other relevant authors.

Can I change my funding goal while my proposal is live?

Contact our team and we'll help case by case. For a big change, we may ask for a revised plan and budget. Please also notify any funders who already contributed.

What happens after the proposal deadline?

If your proposal is funded, the funds go to your university's foundation as a gift for your lab. If it doesn't reach its goal, contributions are returned to the funders and you're welcome to submit a new or revised proposal.

What does the "Tax Deductible" badge mean?

If you selected your university's foundation, donations to your proposal are tax deductible. Once funding is complete, Endaoment sends donation receipts to each donor's ResearchHub email.

Why do funders choose ResearchHub?

Funders get public expert peer review on every proposal, can follow progress through your updates, and see results published as a Registered Report in the ResearchHub Journal, whether the findings are positive or negative.

Questions?

Please contact arshia@researchhub.foundation or editorial@researchhub.foundation for assistance.

You can also join our weekly information sessions to meet our editorial team:

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