7 JUNE 2018 7 JUNE 2018 A Researcher’s Guide to Grant Applications and Reporting Melissa P. Wu, PhD Christina Viola Srivastava February 24, 2014 Senior Vice President of Director of Program Implementation Operations and Evaluation
Seeding Labs Seeding Labs Talent is Everywhere Seeding Labs’ mission is to ensure that everyone worldwide has equal opportunity to make the scientific discoveries that improve life and our planet. Our core areas of expertise are: Identifying a pipeline of well-trained, motivated scientists at strong, supportive institutions Quantifying the gaps and meeting the needs for resources including high quality modern lab equipment and training. Building a unique coalition connecting private sector, academia, government and nonprofit to strengthen the global science ecosystem | 2
Inst strumental A Acce ccess ss Equipping Talent, Unleashing Innovation Instrumental Access removes a Equipment provided through key barrier to scientific discovery Instrumental Access allows the and education in the developing receivers to participate fully in the world: lack of access to modern global scientific community. equipment. Professors can provide hands-on training for the next generation of researchers, healthcare Seeding Labs makes affordable, professionals, engineers, and high-quality lab equipment teachers. Researchers can available to vetted institutions innovate and build self- and individuals. sustaining scientific institutions. To-date we have provided Having the right tools unlocks equipment worth more than virtually limitless potential to $20M to 59 institutions in 31 impact health, economic countries. development, environmental protection, food security, and many other areas. | 3
Impact of Impact of Ins Instrumental rumental Ac Access Seeding Labs collects data annually from all Instrumental Access participants. This past year, 12 institutions reported that equipment from Seeding Labs led directly to the following outcomes and impacts. 232 senior scientists had access Researchers secured $1.45M in Equipment was used to advance or to equipment. 34% of these new research funding. complete 69 research projects. scientists were female. 69% held a 66 PhD students and 37 MSc These projects include: PhD. students utilized equipment for investigation of potential novel 150 courses utilized lab their theses. 39% of these antiplasmodial agents, equipment for hands-on training students were female. a randomized clinical trial on of over 9000 students . treatments for HIV/AIDS infected children, and development of tuberculosis clinical diagnostics . | 4
Types of Gr pes of Grants ants Research Grants Training Grants/Scholarships Travel/Mobility Grants Centers/Hubs Collaborations Other: • Capacity ‐ Building • Education • Conferences • In ‐ Kind Support or Resources | 5
Opportunities Wher Where t e to L Look f ok for r Gr Grant ant Opportunities E ‐ newsletters and alerts –it costs you nothing to sign up for as many as possible! (see list at end of presentation) Online grant directories Professional associations University grant offices Networking and acknowledgements on publications in your field Websites of funder organizations (Google is your friend!) Online groups in social networking websites (Facebook, LinkedIN) | 6
Types of Funders: pes of Funders: Go Government rnment Opportunities can exist at the local, national, regional, and international levels . Look at various agencies – funds can be available in many places • Ministry of Science and Technology • Ministry of Education • Office of Foreign Aid • National Research Foundations • Sector ‐ specific agencies (ex. Department of Energy) • Local governments often have grants too! Many governments produce websites that aggregate all their available grant and fellowship opportunities. Look at governments of countries that are not your own, some opportunities are open to everyone. | 7
Types of Funders: pes of Funders: Go Government rnment Government funders tend to be most concerned with qualifications and technical merit. • There is often a formal external review process You should keep your language formal, and also pay particular attention to following the rules. Look for priorities in the following places: • Grant solicitation • Science policy roadmaps • Agency websites, including co ‐ funder websites • Mission statements To the extent that it’s possible, be mindful of the current political climate and how that might impact the funding organization. | 8
Types of Funders: pes of Funders: Foundations undations Charitable foundations can be large or small. They are almost always mission ‐ driven. • Mission can evolve or change over time The application process can vary: • Some start with requests for Concept Notes/Letters of Intent, and only accept applications by invitation • Others have an open application process • A few accept unsolicited proposals • May or may not include external review | 9
Types of Funders: pes of Funders: Foundations undations Your top priority should be convincing the funder that your proposal aligns with their mission. • Pay attention to their word usage and repeat it back to them as often as possible! May include priorities other than technical merit: • Methodology • Issue area / Geography / Represented populations • Outcome type Look for priorities in the following places: • Mission, vision, and values statement • Grant solicitation • Website, especially program description • Press releases • Newsletters • Annual and other reports • Previously ‐ funded grants • Conversations with foundation staff | 10
Types of Funders: pes of Funders: Other Other Includes non ‐ profits/NGOs, universities, scientific societies, corporations. What this group cares about and what they’re looking for varies widely, but you should always be on the lookout for clues! • Some are more likely to resemble a government grant (UN, World Bank, WHO) • Others are more likely to resemble a foundation grant (smaller NGOs, scientific societies) • If looking at a potential funder that does not have a long or public history of grant ‐ making, then the ‘application process’ can turn largely into a ‘relationship ‐ cultivation’ process. | 11
Pr Preparing t eparing to Apply Apply Research the Funder Organization: What type of funder is it and what are their priorities? Who have they funded in the past? Do you know anyone who’s received a grant from them? How big are their typical awards ? (note, this is not the same as the grant maximum) Do they accept unsolicited proposals? Research the Specific Opportunity: Do you meet the eligibility guidelines? Do the funded activities match your project goals? What are the objectives and could your project be a good fit? What is the application structure? Do you need to submit an LOI? Is there a specific format for applications? When is the deadline? Will the grant run on multiple cycles? How many awards will be made? How competitive is the grant? What is the review process and what are reviewers likely to be looking for? | 12
As Assembling a sembling a T e T eam Does your application require collaboration with others? • Some international grants, especially government ‐ sponsored ones, require a collaborator in the host country. • The funding agency may be able to help you find an appropriate collaborator, or you may be on your own. Does your application require the support of others? • Many applications require or encourage letters of support • There may be other members of your institution who need to contribute to the writing/application submission materials (Ex. Institutional financial records, Infrastructure information, Educational initiatives, mentors) Pay attention to timing! • Anything involving others should be arranged as far in advance of the submission deadline as possible. | 13
Double-Edged Pr Pre- e-Application Application Communication: a mmunication: a Double-E dged Sw Sword In general, grant managers are: • Busy • Detail ‐ oriented • Looking for capable, talented people who are self ‐ motivated • Human Even when scores and outcomes are largely determined by external review, you want us on your side! • We often control the screening process and sometimes have flexibility to offer hints and second chances • At some organizations, we recruit, manage, and orient reviewers; at most, we have the power to advocate on your behalf if motivated to do so • We know exactly what’s going on behind the scenes and can offer valuable insight, guidance, and feedback We start to form impressions before you ever submit your proposal. • It can be helpful to start a conversation prior to submission so that we get to know you, but be careful not to make the wrong impression | 14
Recommend
More recommend
