Sandra H. HarpoleFebruary 6,2012

Dr. George Hazzelrigg◦ Competitive Proposal Writing◦ www.research.lsu.edu/files/item38877.pdf

Dr. Elizabeth VanderPutten◦ Why This is Such a Great Time to be in Education◦ www.research.lsu.edu.item39157.pdf

NSF’s most prestigious award for assistant professors

Funds academic career development of new faculty – not a research award

Based on a developmental plan◦ “well argued specific proposal for activities that

will build a firm foundation for a lifetime of integrated contributions to research and education”

Five-year award with minimum award of $400,000

Designed to provide stable support at level and duration to build foundation for a lifetime of integrated contributions to research and education

Very competitive – about 400 of 3,000 proposals are funded each year

Deadline: July each year

What is your expertise? Your interests? What are your life/career goals? What are your resources? Do you have a strategic plan?

◦ Where are you now?◦ Where do you want to be in 5, 10, 20 years?◦ How do you get there?

Innovative, researchable project sufficient for five years of work

Built on existing literature with strong potential to contribute to that literature

Has appropriate methodologies for research questions

Reflects expertise and passion of principal investigator

Brings excitement of research to education Is consistent with mission and goals of the

university Is innovative but builds on the work of

others Is doable Reflects the expertise as well as limitations

of principal investigator Is capable of being evaluated

90% work with graduate students to submit peer reviewed papers.

Only 8% work with graduate students who have internships in business.

Almost 80% involve undergraduates in research with 6% of the students getting industrial internships.

About 50% work with K-12 teachers or students

Have a strategic plan Build on your strengths Differentiate your proposed research from

your PhD. Thesis work and other sponsored research

Perform thorough literature search and exploratory research before writing proposal◦ Journal articles (update with personal contact)◦ NSF Grant Proposal Guide

Establish and maintain your contacts

Read, critique and use research about STEM education◦ Science, Nature, Journal of Research in Science

Teaching, professional societies Read some National Research Council’s

Synthesis work in education◦ How People Learn◦ Adding It Up◦ Knowing What Students Know◦ Scientific Research in Education◦ Learning Science in Informal Environments

Read the request for proposals (RFP) carefully

Contact program directors early Don’t make the research and education

proposed too broad or too narrow. Write to the reviewers

◦ What is the research about (research objective)?◦ How will you conduct the research (technical

approach)?◦ Can you do it (you and your facilities)?◦ Is it worth doing (intellectual merit and broader

impact)?

Work with others Develop budget based on the research and

education plan◦ Do not ask for too much or too little money

Follow the guidelines carefully Have someone review your proposal Proof and proof again Prepare IRB if human subjects are involved

www.research.lsu.edu/files/item38877.pdf

Sandra H. Harpole sharpole@research.msstate.edu 662-325-2922