Hundreds of unknown research programs and projects funded by the government go unnoticed every year by the students and researchers who could benefit from them.

Adams Waugh with Federal Information Exchange Inc. said the opportunities the agency provides are based on the agencies that participate.

“Therefore, because many of the most active agencies focus on the hard sciences, technology, engineering and medicine, the opportunities will reflect that emphasis,” Waugh said.

Waugh said the particular groups that would benefit from FEDIX would be researchers from universities and industry.

The universities and organizations the researchers work for would benefit by obtaining money to update research facilities, Waugh said. Students could receive information about scholarships and internships.

At http://www.fie.com/, anyone can search for research and education funding opportunities within their area of interest using FEDIX Opportunity Alert.

The initial page of the Federal Information Exchange Inc. (FIE) contains links to other services, including Minority College information, federal equipment that is available and access to federal research resources.

After selecting the FEDIX alert button, the user is directed to the registration page. At the registration page the user provides his/her name, address, telephone and email address.

After providing basic information, the user answers two questions. One about employment and the other about ethnic background.

The user then chooses which type of research they are interested in and has a variety of other programs to check out and sign up for.

Finally FEDIX provides a profile overview of all the selections made. After registering the user receives a confirmation letter in the mail within two days.