Do's and Don'ts of Working with Program Officers

This week Dr. Michael Jacobson, Professor in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences and recent NSF Rotating Program Officer spoke to us about how to work with the NSF if you're interested in funding. He specifically offered some dos and don'ts on working with Program Officers:

Do contact program officers: Dr. Jacobson stressed the point that PO's are there to work with researchers and they can give you insight early on into whether your project might be a good fit for the NSF or not.

Do your homework: Recognizing that POs are busy people, it behooves the researcher to be familiar with NSF information on their website, any related program announcements, and even the PO's background so that you can identify common research areas to peak the PO's interest in conversation.

Don't cold call a PO: POs are scientists and oftentimes not comfortable with researchers popping in or calling them out of the blue. Try sending an email first, very briefly describing your project and requesting a phone call. Of course, if you're at a conference with a PO, it is entirely appropriate to approach them and talk about your project (and it's a good idea to keep a one-page write up handy when you may be meeting a PO). 

Do talk with POs about feedback and resubmissions: Oftentimes POs are in the room when your grant proposal is being discussed. They can sometimes offer you some additional insight into what comments mean and also advise you on your next steps around resubmissions.

Don't get on a PO's bad side: Although you may not hear back immediately from a PO, be sure to politely persist. Continue reaching out, but make sure that you walk the line between following up and pestering. Give the PO a week to respond to your initial email before writing again.

Always remember that POs are an important piece to the equation of grant funding. Even if they don't have direct control of their budgets (NSF POs do have this control), they still wield a great deal of influence and insight. Be sure to use them and their expertise!

Resources:
Can We Talk? Contacting Grant Program Officers - Robert Porter
What to Say - and Not Say - to Program Officers - The Chronicle of Higher Education