Setting Goals and Charting Your Research Path

As, the fall semester takes off and ORDE is beginning to meet with early career researchers (ECRs) in a variety of fields, it seems like an ideal time to talk about setting research goals and planning to reach those goals. Now, this may seem pretty straightforward, but any researcher who has grappled with what to do and what not to do knows that it is not.

We meet with ECRs who run the gamut in terms of research focus. Many are wide open and have dabbled in a few research areas in their postdocs. Still, others have gone down a narrow path and have a very clear focus to their work.

For those that the world is their oyster, in terms of what path to head down, they may be flexible enough to mold their research and work to take advantage of great funding opportunities in some "hot" areas. However, as Professor Alan M. Johnson says, "no longer is it competitive to have a Ph.D. and let your research career 'drift' based on what comes along. You must be proactive rather than reactive in how you approach your research career." (Charting a Course for a Successful Research Career) So, the danger in being too flexible is that you may end up allowing the opportunities to create your research path instead of intentionally setting your own course.

For those with a narrow focus, the danger lies in a potential dearth of funding and/or high competition with more seasoned investigators in the area. Many ECRs applying to the NIH are particularly sensitive to the fact that with only one resubmission allowed for their grant, if what they have focused on comes back a "no" to a grant application twice, they feel stuck, with few options but to move in a new direction.

So, there are very real dangers on both sides of the spectrum, and navigating those is crucial to accomplishing a rewarding and well-funded research career. To help navigate these, the University of Michigan Medical School offers a "Mentored Research Academy" that asks the following questions of its ECRs:

• What do I want to be known for as a researcher?
• How crowded is the field? Given the competition, can I build a national reputation in this area?
• Are my research questions significant? Innovative? Fundable?
• What further skills/knowledge/abilities do I need to acquire?

In answering these questions, and as you begin to plan the next five years of your research career, it is vital that you understand the gaps/needs in the field you're planning to focus on. The faculty at the Auraria Library and the Health Sciences Library are available to help you plan and conduct a comprehensive literature search. Even if you think you've turned over every stone, you'll be amazed at how comprehensive our librarians can help you be.

Another important touch point to have is a sense of the funding landscape for your research. What's being funded currently? How big are the awards? Which agencies are funding the research and will their foci likely stay the same. The Office of Research Development and Education can help you with this by sitting down with you in a strategy session and offering you a personalized fund search.

Certainly, this blog just starts to touch on some of the things that ECRs need to think about to build an intentional and successful career, but if you're interested in delving into these topics with your colleagues, please watch for upcoming fall seminars on Charting Your Research Path and Searching Literature and Funding Landscapes (in partnership with our libraries). See our most up to date schedule here.

WIFM

Although, I'm not sure it needed an acronym, ala something you wear around on a bracelet or t-shirt, "What's in it for me?" or WIFM is a mantra that researchers would do well to remember as they seek funding for their projects. Now, don't be misled, WIFM does not refer to what's in it for the researcher, it refers to what's in it for the funder.

Each sponsor has a specific mission, whether it's articulated clearly or it's an unspoken assumption.  Your job, as the researcher applying for the grant is to find out what they want and then provide that in your project and grant application.

In her book, 4 Steps to Funding, Morgan Giddings, PhD, describes the importance to addressing WIFM in each of her four steps:

• Why is your project important?
• Who are you/why are you the right person to do the project?
• What is your project?
• How will you complete the project?

Giddings advocates for considering WIFM in each piece of your grant and in all your communique with a sponsor.

Dr. Joseph Ortega, Associate Dean for Research in the College of Engineering, agrees. He suggests that sponsors and their reviewers want to know what difference or solutions your project will provide to the country (if they're a national organization) and will you be a good steward of their resources (i.e., funds)?

Putting WIFM in Practice
So, not surprisingly, sponsors and reviewers are going to ask WIFM, and this isn't unlike any audience or consumer. Even before reading this entry, you've likely thought of the WIFM of your grants, but I would contend that even if you have, it's still not enough.

Many researchers consider the WIFM for agencies at some point, but do not thread it into every area of their grant.  They start with a grandiose connection between the sponsor and their project and then get right back to business as usual and write a grant that focuses on their own needs/interests. Instead, consider the WIFM in each section and each paragraph you write.  Whether developing your project summary or your budget, set down your pen or stop typing before you've thought about what your readers are looking for, what they want in that section and then, and only then, write a section that provides it to them.

Working with Program Officers

In conversations, I've heard investigators mention that they know that it is important to talk to program officers when preparing a grant application, but yet, many haven't gotten around to it. And, just in case not everyone is convinced of the importance of talking with program officers, here are the key reasons:

• PO's get to know you and your work and can advocate for you in some instances.
• If your project/idea is not a good fit, they can help you re-angle it or save you time in writing a proposal that might not even get reviewed.
• They can point you in the right direction, whether that be to another study section or another potential funder.
• They can give you thoughtful feedback and insight into the organization and reviewer tendencies.

Okay, sold on the importance? So, what stops investigators from sending an email or picking up the phone? Oftentimes, researchers are used to developing their work in a vacuum, and it may feel like cheating to call someone in the funding organization. Or, possibly, they're nervous about getting bad news about the project fit (although, wouldn't you rather get it early and save yourself some time and trouble?) However, I think the number one reason that investigators do not reach out to Program Officers is that the investigators aren't sure how to engage and use the PO effectively...

So, below are some pointers:

• Before calling/emailing, make sure you've done your homework - you have read all of the information on the website and other readily available sources.
• You can clearly and succinctly describe your research project or idea.
• You've developed some thoughtful questions to assess how best to present your research in the grant application or around what study group would be most appropriate to review your application.

In her book, Grant Writing Revealed, seasoned Grant Developer, Jana Jane Hexter discusses working with government Program Officers and highlights the following recommendations:

• Calling a PO is essential and expected; that is their job to discuss grant applications.  They too want the best proposals submitted. 
• A strong relationship with a PO involves being able to call them up and ask questions, with them already knowing who you are and your background.  You don't need to be buddies.
• Before hanging up the phone, ask your PO who else you should talk to; they may be able to point you to others who can offer you relevant advice on your project.

Hopefully, these pointers show you the importance of working with PO's and some tips on how to do it most effectively!

Don't have time to read this blog? Then it's for you!

This Winter, ORDE conducted a needs assessment with our faculty at the Denver Campus and the Anschutz Medical Campus via a survey and interviews to better understand their top challenges around grant development.

One of the top challenges mentioned by faculty was the limited time they had to accomplish several important things: research, teaching, course development, grant development, committee-work, etc... sound familiar? And, in this mix, seeking funding sometimes was put off to do more urgent things, that is until funding became urgent.

In the new book Manage Your Day-To-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, & Sharpen Your Creative Mind, edited by Jocelyn K. Glei, a variety of successful writers and other professionals share their time management and prioritization tips:

Do important/creative work first: So often, the first thing we do with our day is to check email, and although this is a simple task that can give us a small sense of accomplishment (ah, my inbox is clean again), it often means that we are spending our most productive and creative hours on a task that doesn't necessarily call for it.  Also, we're focusing on work that may feel urgent, but is perhaps not as important in the overall scheme of things. Instead, consider using your "best" hours on your most important work (and of course, in ORDE, we hope that includes some grant development :))

Establish a writing routine: Many great writers and thinkers establish a routine to train their minds to focus and get down to business with their important work. Stephen King begins work at the same general time each morning. He takes a vitamin, gets himself a cup of tea or water and sits at his same desk, with papers arranged the same way. Finding a place and time that you can be most productive and focused and replicating that daily or a few times a week can allow you to make great strides with your work.

Incorporate physical activity into your day: The Manage Your Day-To-Day book advocates for incorporating "renewal" into your day - taking breaks and changing activity to allow you to be the most productive.  Even mixing "mindless" tasks into your day can give your brain a break to process and digest your more  mindful work.  And, for an extra benefit, consider adding physical activity into your day.  A recent article in "Scientific American," by Professor Justin Rhodes describes some of the benefits of exercise for your brain and thinking.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-do-you-think-better-after-walk-exercise

Certainly, these tips are not earth shattering, but I think that they offer small ways that we can reflect on our work, routines, and habits to see where we can make small gains to save a little time, or, more importantly, spend our time more effectively.

I'd recommend this book; it is a quick read and offers thoughtful insights and recommendations from leaders who have really exploited the benefits.

Find more on the book here: http://99u.com/book/manage-your-day-to-day

If you are a faculty member of the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, we're happy to send you a copy of the book, simply email your request to naomi.nishi@ucdenver.edu.