GRANTS: CRADLE TO GRAVE

ALUMNI CENTER BALLROOMMAY 6, 2014

Finding Funding

Beth HodgesDirector, Office of Proposal Development

2

Today’s Discussion

Identifying Funding Sources Online Demonstration of PivotTips

Identifying Funding Sources

Ways to Locate Funding

• The Web• Agency websites• Databases

• Your colleagues on campus and elsewhere• Search literature to learn where colleagues

in your area are obtaining funding• Contact program officers at agencies and

pitch ideas

At FSU….

www.research fsu.edu

Office of Proposal Development

Resources available from OPD

• Access to Funding Resources, Databases• Access to Listserves• Proposal Resources, Tutorials• Workshops/Training• Examples of Successful Proposals• Large grant and multi-disciplinary proposal assistance

Other Resources

• The Office of Research Newsletter

• Research Development & Grant Writing News

FUNDING DATABASESWhy use a funding database?

• One stop searching• Setting up searches and alerts

• Funding Opportunities=27,000+ records

• Scholarly profiles= 3.2 million profiles

• Pivot suggests funding based on Pivot profile…

and vice-versa

Live Funding Search

Applying for Funding: Tips

Current ClimateOverall, proposals are increasing and dollars are decreasing

• At NSF & NIH, the vast majority of proposals are declined.

• More than half (60%) of the proposals are rejected on the first reading because:

1. The proposal did not match the program

2. Applicant did not follow directions

What can be done to improve my odds?

1. Verify the Match

2. Follow the format provided by the sponsor and all instructions exactly*

3. Prove the importance of your project

4. Pay attention to your budget

5. Rule of Three

Grant Application Tips: Rule of Three

• Read the proposal thoroughly before you begin. If you are applying for a limited submission program, find out what the internal deadline is.

• Begin your work- Gathering supporting documents- Doing your Homework- Prove the Importance of your Project

• Final Steps- Have colleagues read your proposal- Edit, edit, edit- Submit in time for Internal reviews and

approvals

Other considerations…

• Team Building; establishing strategic partnerships, leveraging your expertise.

• Build relationships, respect & reputation• Become a proposal reviewer• Participate in seminars and conferences

• When talking to program officers• Do not call to chat, keep comments professional• Do not cold-call them; better to send an email first;

okay to attach a 1-2 page project summary

Finally…

Be kind to your grants

administrators

Questions or Assistance:

Beth Hodges

FSU Office of Research 2025 Westcott North Building

Tallahassee, FL 32306-1330 bhodges@fsu.edu (850) 644-2257

QUESTIONS