The Community of Science (COS) Funding Opportunities Database is a subscription external funding database that includes more than 25,000 records representing nearly 400,000 funding opportunities, worth over 33 billion dollars. The Sponsored Projects Office makes this available to the Berkeley campus community. To access COS you must be a UCB faculty member, staff member, or student working from a campus-based computer.

If you would like to save searches, the first step is to join COS. This will allow you to save your searches. You do not need to join COS to search the database, but you need to join and be logged in to your COS account (or “COS Workbench”) to save searches.

How to Join COS:

• Go to: http://www.cos.com/
• In the upper left hand corner, click on “New User Register Free.” Then on the next page you see click on the box that reads “Join.” You will then need to fill in the *starred* boxes and create a username and password. When you are done, click on “Create my Account.
• You can then Create a COS Profile (not required) or simply go ahead and “Launch Your COS Workbench.”
• On your workbench you will see a series of tabs in the upper right hand corner. To search for external funding, select the third tab from the left, “Search COS Funding Opportunities.”You will then be presented with  the COS Search Page.

1. Simple Search – This search option is similar to a Google search. Just put a word or phrase in the box provided and click on “COS Search.” This will yield a variety of options—some appropriate, some not—you will need to “refine the search” to get more specific information.
2. Search Wizard – This search options yields broad results by asking five questions. It is a good option to start with if you are not sure how to start.
3. Advanced Search – This allow you to be more specific in your search. You will be presented with the following fields. The information you put into these fields will determine what options are selected for your review. You can use the format presented or choose the “Classic View” found in the upper left hand corner of the page.
• All fields – if you put a word or phrase in this field, COS will search for that word/phrase in every field. This will yield results similar to a simple search.
• Sponsor – if you know the name of the organization providing funding, this field will help you track down a specific funding program offered by that organization.
• Title – if you know the specific name of the funding program, COS will locate the program for you.
• Abstract – words or phrases put into this field will generate only funding options that use these descriptors in the program abstract.
• Deadline – this field can be used to look for a specific frame of time (use before/after dates as bookends), or for generalized time before or after a date. You can use this field to locate funding options coming up in the future.
• Internal Coordination – This field is used for programs which allow only a limited number of applications or require USF to rank applications submitted.
• Amount – Use this field to select programs providing a specific amount of funds. The “more than” and “less than” signs can be used to narrow the field.
• Keywords – COS provides approximately 4,000 key words based on the descriptions provided by the funding agency. Use key words to find specific options. When you click on the key words option you will be presented with some basic categories. If you click on the plus signs next to these categories you will see more specific topics under each. Check on the “Explode” function to include all keywords in a subject hierarchy in your search.
• Activity location – This field restricts your search to specific locations where the funded project will take place.
• Requirements – This field limits the search to programs that “fit” a certain type of individual, e.g., student. Click on ‘Requirements’ for specific descriptions.
• Citizenship – This field yields programs that require a specific citizenship to apply.
• Funding Type – This field provides information on specific types of funded activities, e.g., research. Click on ‘Funding Type’ for descriptions.
• Sponsor Type – This field allows you to select the type of funding agency you want to apply to, e.g., federal. Click on ‘Sponsor Type’ for descriptions.

A Few Tips for Searching:

• To search for a specific phrase, use quotes. Example: “apple juice” for the phrase apple juice.
• To search for all words starting with a specific set of letters, use an asterisk. Example: Geo* for all words starting with “geo,” such as geology, geography, etc.
• To select multiple items on a list, hold the control (ctrl) button and click on the desired options .
• When restricting your search to programs providing a specific amount of funds, always enter funding amounts in the “Amount “ field without commas or dollar signs.
• If you want to list the funding options displayed by different criteria, for example, “ by sponsor” instead of “by deadline” simply click on the name of whatever field you’d like to sort by, and COS will reorganize the funding options.

Query Menu:

• Refine Your Query – Use this option after you have done a search and want to narrow the options.
• Previous Searches – This option only contains those searches done in the same browser window. Once the window is exited, previous searches are lost.

Download Citations: Creates one page displaying all selected funding opportunities. Can view as HTML but to actually save the search ASCII must be selected and viewed in web browser.

Save Search: Use this option to save a search. You can save up to 40 searches on your workbench. To return to your workbench you will need to log back into COS using your username and password.

Track This Record Menu:

• Tag Name – This option is used to sort tracked records by personal categories.
• Here are some tips:
  • Use staggered caps, not spaces. Example: OrangeJuice instead of Orange Juice.
  • List under multiple tags using spaces, not commas. Example: Orange Juice for tags Orange and Juice, not Orange, Juice.
  • Click on tags you already made to attach them to the record.

Saved Searches:

• Click on ‘Workbench Home’ top tab to see saved searches.
• The maximum of saved searches is 40.
• Use these commands:
  • Run – runs the search.
  • Edit – refines or alter a search; takes you to Main Search page (must resave search).
    

• Click on ‘Workbench Home’ top tab to see tracking records.
• The maximum number of tracked records is 200.

Remember!
Most field titles are linked to explanations of how the COS system works. Click on these titles if you need additional information.