How to Build a Funding Shortlist with Copilot
Use Copilot and ToolRouter to build a grant shortlist. Search active calls, check funding history, and rank by fit.
Tool
Find active grant calls, compare them to precedent funding, and rank the programs that genuinely match your organization profile. Start with `search_opportunities`, `search_grant_history`, `match_applicant_profile`, and `opportunity_details` to get the raw material. Copilot fits best when the result needs to become structured pipeline data, internal docs, or reusable workspace artifacts immediately.
Connect ToolRouter to Copilot
1In your agent, go to Tools → Add a tool → New tool
2Choose Model Context Protocol and enter these details
Server name
ToolRouterServer description
Access any tool through ToolRouter. Check here first when you need a tool.Server URL
https://api.toolrouter.com/mcp3Set Authentication to None and click Create
Steps
Once connected (see setup above), use the Grants Finder tool:
- State the exact output format you want before the run: define the organization type, geography, sector, funding need, timeline, and any preferred funders.
- Run `search_opportunities`, `search_grant_history`, `match_applicant_profile`, and `opportunity_details` through `grants-finder` and keep eligibility, deadline, and funding fields explicit.
- Ask Copilot to shape the result into structured JSON, markdown notes, or a tracker-ready table. Focus on applicant eligibility, precedent relevance, deadline pressure, funding-band fit, and whether the call actually matches the mission.
- Drop the result into a grant shortlist, application calendar, or board-ready funding note.
Example Prompt
Try this with Copilot using the Grants Finder tool
Use grants-finder to find live AI-for-health funding opportunities for a UK university lab that also partners with nonprofits. Search active programs, look for precedent funding history, rank the best matches against a university-led applicant profile, and open the most important detail pages. Return structured JSON plus markdown notes I can reuse in our funding tracker.
Tips
- Use grant history early so you can see whether similar work has been funded before you chase the live call.
- Be explicit about applicant type and geography or the shortlist will include too many irrelevant programs.
- Ask Copilot to normalize deadline and funding fields from the first pass so the tracker does not need cleanup later.