Finding the Right Funding FitAll About Grants!

Research & Innovation Week

April 20, 2015

Cynthia Jobe, Lead Grant Writer jobec@umsl.edu

NSFSAMHSA

NEH

ACA

DOL

CASEY

PCORINIHAPA

DOJ

Ford

MFAIES

AOA

Where do YOU Fit?

Where do You Start?

o PIVOT Searcho Read the RFPo Call the Program Officero All of the above

Your Research Agenda

Research Plan Components:

• 5-10 year plan• Preliminary data/publications• Research grant mentors• Funded collaborators

Finding Your Research Home

• Who is likely to fund your research?• Where do you fit with the big agencies?• Get to know the funder• Agency• Institute or directorate • Mission• Strategic Priorities• Program Officers

Avoid the Chase!

Funding Data

Review Recent Awards:

• Average award size• Geographic trends/restrictions• Themes• Types of projects

Talk to the Program Officer!

• Prepare a short concept paper• Set up the call• Prepare • ORA support

VETTING SPECIFIC FUNDING OPPORTUNITIESDecoding the RFP

Read the RFP!

The RFP is:

• A detailed expression of the funder’s priorities• Non-negotiable • Requires close analysis and parsing• Not a mirror of individual research interests

Read it again!

However…

• RFPs are not always clear• Uncertainties need to be resolved early• RFPs change

Are you eligible?

Carefully review eligibility requirements:

• Look beyond the eligibility section• Understand special requirements• Check for the correct division/mechanism

What are the Odds?

• Number of awards• Evaluate the

competition• Size of applicant

pool• ROI

Assess Your Capacity to Compete

Do You have what the funder is looking for?

• Expertise/experience• Partnerships • Evidence-based practices• Sophisticated evaluation• Match requirements

Available Resources

Do you have what you need to prepare a competitive proposal?

• People• Time• Peer reviewers• Institutional support

How Do You know if it is the Right Fit?

• Research aligns with funder’s

priorities• No gaps in expertise• Capacity to compete • Advances your research

Questions ?

Cynthia Jobe, Lead Grant Writer jobec@umsl.edu

All About Grants!

Research & Innovation Week

April 20, 2015

Thank You!