Stewarding Your Funders

As we approach the end of the year, if you currently have a grant, you're probably grateful for that grant. If you've received a recent rejection, you may feel less so. However, whatever camp you're in, giving thanks in a variety of grant development situations can be an opportunity for you to further your case for eventual funding.

When we think about the relationship-building side of the grant development process, saying thank you and following up with a Program Officer (PO) gives you a chance to put your name and your work in front of the PO again in a positive light (everyone likes a thank you). Even when you are not funded and receive feedback from reviewers, email your PO to discuss those comments, but start that email with a "thank you" for the agency taking the time to thoughtfully review your grant. And, again, after you discuss reviewer comments, follow up with another "thank you" for the PO's time.

This may seem like overkill, but did you know that there is a field and science to the follow-up and thank yous for people who give you money?  In higher education and the nonprofit world, we call this stewardship. The idea behind this field is the follow-up with a donor after they've made a gift is to not only thank them, but also to begin moving them or "stewarding" them toward making a next (hopefully larger) gift.

You may think that comparing an official at a grant-making agency with an individual donor to a charity as apples and oranges. However, I think there are some donor stewardship ideas that apply to relationship-building with POs.

Donors want to know the gift was received and appreciated. Oftentimes, your PO is the one to let you know that you've been funded. So they know that you know that you're funded. But, again, don't miss the opportunity to say thank you and show your gratitude and your excitement to pursue your project. Also, it's good to bear in mind that grant making agencies and their POs do see themselves as investors in you and your project, and in that way, they want to be acknowledged and kept in the loop.

Donors want to know their money is being used for its intended purpose. POs want to know the agency's money is being used for its intended purpose. Remember those pesky reports you are required to submit annually or bi-annually? Those reports are actually a great opportunity for you to steward your PO. Write a report that demonstrates your gratitude and your excitement around what you're able to do with your grant. One of our researchers described how at a conference she attended, a PO came up to her and just said "Thank you!" He was so appreciative of her diligence to send reports on time that she stood out from her colleagues in this way.

Additionally, when you receive any press on your research or give a talk, especially on your funded research, be sure to acknowledge your funders and forward to your PO with a quick thank you. Also, be sure to acknowledge the agency in any recognition or press that you receive. Granting agencies are essential to accomplishing research in this day and age, so bear this in mind, and when there is an opportunity, give thanks!


Resources:
Stewardship - More than a Thank-You - Blog by Michael Rosen
How to Give a Meaningful Thank You - Mark Goulston

Picking the right Institute at the NIH

This week we had our final program of the semester on the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and our speaker, Dr. Janet Snell-Bergeon brought up a lot of great points, not only on the NHLBI but on selecting an institute for which to apply for funding more generally. So, naturally, I thought it would be useful to share some of these tips.

1. Remember, you don't pick.
When you submit a grant proposal to the NIH, your application goes to the Center for Scientific Review (CSR). This group of PhD-level scientists review your grant and assign it to a study section and an Institute. You may request the study section and Institute you want your proposal going to, but the CSR makes the ultimate decision.

2. Your application is not peer-reviewed by the Institute.
At NIH, the peer review process is, for the most part, centralized. All applications are sent to a study section that includes expert reviewers on the subject matter. The applications that are scored are then sent on to their assigned Institute, where the advisory council makes a recommendation for which applications should be funded.

3. Hedge your bets.
The best way to hedge your bets and get your application to the Institute that you think will be the best fit for your application is to understand well what the Institute wants to fund. Read their strategic goals and look at what they've funded recently using the RePORT tool.

4. Try matchmaker.
If you're trying to familiarize yourself with the NIH and to understand where your application has the best shot, try using their Matchmaker tool. This tool allows you to copy and paste your project abstract in the space available. It then provides you with a report of the rates projects similar to yours have been funded by different Institutes and study sections. This can give you an initial sense of where you may want to direct your proposal.

5. Get the inside scoop.
If you haven't had the opportunity to be on a study section for the NIH, it's difficult to get a sense of the inner workings in the review meetings. However, make sure that you offer to review for a study section as soon as you can. As past reviewers have said, this is a graduate education on what makes good and bad grant proposals. But before you're on study section, find someone who has been and ask them about their experiences and for any tips they might give you as a seasoned reviewer.

The NIH has a variety of articles and videos to give you a sense of how they work and make decisions. As you're trying to decide if they're a good fit for you, spend time getting to know them.

Resources:
NIH Grants Process Overview
NIH Peer Review Revealed Video