Researchers may have trouble securing funding from US foundations this year, according to a survey from the New York-based non-profit Foundation Center. Nearly two-thirds of the 1,200 foundations that responded plan to cut the number and/or size of grants. Less-established organizations are at a particular disadvantage, says Steven Lawrence, the centre's senior director of research. However, 14% of the foundations plan to make 'exceptional' grants as a result of the downturn, funding more humanitarian programmes or initiatives outside their usual domain.