A sum of money or other assistance provided by a government, private organization, or charitable institution to support research, education, or other public services. Grants are used to fund specific projects or activities and are often targeted toward a particular research area, population, or location. The amount and scope of a grant are usually determined by the funding entity and may be granted over a certain period of time. Grants may be awarded based on competitive proposals or through other mechanisms. Many initiatives in the learn-and-work ecosystem are grant funded.