FundingScheme

FundingScheme is an Organization subtype for grant programs, funding initiatives, and research funding frameworks. Think EU Horizon 2020, NIH grant programs, or a foundation's annual research fund. It describes the funding program itself, not the organization that administers it.

FundingScheme defines no properties of its own. It inherits everything from Organization. The most relevant inherited properties are funder (who provides the money), areaServed (geographic scope), description (what the scheme funds), and url (where to apply).

Full example of schema.org/FundingScheme json-ld markup

The markup is verified as valid with Rich Results Test from Google.

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schema.org/FundingScheme

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@id": "https://childrenfirstfoundation.dk/grants/pediatric-research#fundingscheme",
  "@type": "FundingScheme",
  "name": "Xoo Pediatric Research Grant",
  "description": "Annual grant program funding clinical pediatric research in Scandinavia. Awards up to 500,000 DKK per project for studies in child nutrition, developmental monitoring, and post-crisis pediatric care. Applications open each January.",
  "url": "https://childrenfirstfoundation.dk/grants/pediatric-research",
  "foundingDate": "1987",
  "funder": {
    "@id": "https://childrenfirstfoundation.dk#ngo"
  },
  "areaServed": [
    { "@type": "Country", "name": "Denmark" },
    { "@type": "Country", "name": "Sweden" },
    { "@type": "Country", "name": "Norway" }
  ],
  "parentOrganization": {
    "@id": "https://childrenfirstfoundation.dk#ngo"
  }
}
</script>

FundingScheme vs NGO vs FundingAgency

NGO is the organization. FundingScheme is the specific grant program. FundingAgency (a GovernmentOrganization subtype, defined in schema.org's pending extensions) is a government body that administers funding. A foundation (NGO) runs a grant program (FundingScheme). A government research council (FundingAgency) runs its own FundingSchemes.

Linking FundingScheme to funded work

Schema.org's funding property (on CreativeWork) lets research outputs reference the FundingScheme that funded them. A Dataset or Article can declare "funding": { "@id": "...#fundingscheme" } to link back to the grant. This closes the loop between funder, program, and output.

When to use FundingScheme

Use FundingScheme when you are describing a named grant program or funding initiative with its own identity, application process, and scope. Do not use it for one-off donations or general philanthropy. Those are better described as funder relationships on the funded entity.

Minimal valid version

The smallest markup that still produces a valid FundingScheme entity. Use it as the floor. Reach for the advanced example above when you want search engines and AI agents to understand more about your content.

schema.org/FundingScheme (minimal)

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "FundingScheme",
  "name": "Xoo Pediatric Research Grant",
  "url": "https://childrenfirstfoundation.dk/grants/pediatric-research"
}
</script>

Google rich results this unlocks

Markup matching this example makes your page eligible for the following Google Search rich results. The primary target drives the required / recommended property classification in the advanced code block above.

Organization knowledge panel (indirect)
Google docs

Common FundingScheme mistakes

Mistakes that pass validation but silently fail to earn rich results or mislead consumers walking the graph. Avoid these and your markup will be ahead of most sites in the wild.

01
Using NGO for a grant program
Wrong
```
"@type": "NGO" for a specific research funding scheme
```
Right
```
"@type": "FundingScheme" for the grant program; NGO for the organization that runs it
```
FundingScheme is the program. NGO is the organization. The EU Horizon 2020 is a FundingScheme. The European Commission is the Organization. Conflating the two creates a confusing entity in the knowledge graph.
02
Missing funder
Wrong
```
FundingScheme with no funder property
```
Right
```
"funder": { "@id": "https://childrenfirstfoundation.dk#ngo" }
```
Every funding scheme is funded by someone. The funder property connects the scheme to the administering organization. Without it, the scheme is an orphaned entity with no organizational backing in the knowledge graph.
03
FundingScheme for a one-off donation
Wrong
```
"@type": "FundingScheme" for a single charitable donation or sponsorship
```
Right
```
Use the funder property on the funded entity instead
```
FundingScheme is for named, recurring grant programs with their own identity and application process. A one-off donation is better represented as a funder relationship on the receiving entity. Do not create a FundingScheme for every individual donation.

Schema properties in this example

FundingScheme name description url foundingDate funder areaServed Country parentOrganization

About the example data

The Xoo Pediatric Research Grant is a fictional annual grant program operated by the Children First Foundation. It funds pediatric research in Scandinavia, continuing the work that Jane Xoo started. The pediatric outcomes dataset was partially funded by this scheme.

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