As we are in the season of abundant greeting cards, I've been reminded of the power of a personalized approach in the grants world. At first glance, there are so many proposals and so many PIs competing for external funding that to put a personal touch on your grant approach may feel like trying to stick a flower in a waterfall. However, there are some opportunities for creating a personal touch that you may not have considered before...
Talking with a PO
If you follow this blog, you've surely seen many entries that focus on working with Program Officers. It's important to work with POs to get their feedback on your project and the direction of your research. Some POs even mentor early career investigators with whom they develop a relationship early on. But beyond that, having a PO know who you are and be rooting for you is invaluable. For instance, at some agencies when POs have money left in their budget at the end of the fiscal year, they call those researchers that they know and know do great work to submit a proposal for the funds. Having a PO support you and care about your career is a great asset!
Sending a thank you card
Although sending a thank you card in a professional setting may sound a little antiquated, it's another way to personalize your approach to grants. I argue that sending hand-written thank you cards should be done liberally. When you meet a PO or reviewers/potential reviewers at a conference, send them a follow-up note, thanking them or saying how much you enjoyed the conversation. The truth is few people send hand-written notes, so it can make you stand out and remind seasoned researchers who you are the next time they come across your proposal.
Drawing on reviewer's/PO's research
Before having a conversation with a PO or someone you think might review your proposal, do a bit of research on their research. If you're not sure if their work might overlap with yours, it's important to find out so that you don't insult them when talking about something where they are considered a preeminent scholar. Knowing someone's research is also an excellent way to make a positive impression. Many academics feel like their work isn't read widely enough, so when you have a conversation and talk about how you're drawing on their work, it's exciting for them! Not only is it a bit of an ego boost, but also it shows them that your work is building on their's and it's important for them to see it go further.
Holiday notes
Lastly, since we are in the season, why not get some professional season's greetings cards and send them out to POs and colleagues? Add a short note that says you've enjoyed working with them this year and wishing them a happy new year. Again, this can just be a simple way of getting your name in front of a PO and a reminder that not only are you a brilliant researcher, but you're a nice person who knows how to network!
Resources:
My Best Grant Writing Tip - GrantGopher.com
Can we talk? Contacting Grant Program Officers - Robert Porter
Monday, November 26, 2018
Monday, November 12, 2018
Showing the cutting edge
One thing I tend to notice when reviewing grant proposals for faculty internally is that they are often lacking in describing the cutting edge research. In fact, it's not uncommon for a PI to not really talk about their project in the context of past research at all. This is a big oversight. If you haven't couched your project in what has been done already, you set up your reviewers to wonder 1. Do you understand the research landscape in this area? and 2. Has this project already been done? or 3. Is this the best project to do in this area right now?
Now, I can certainly understand how this gets left out. You are space limited in most grant proposals, so it's certainly enticing to just jump right into what you want to do and why it's important. But, remember, to show the importance of your study, you need to offer contextual research. More than that, you must show you're the right person for the job by showing the contributions you've made to research in this area in the past.
To do this, I give you a formula for describing and contextualizing your project in the research...
Describe the cutting edge of current research:
You don't want to give reviewers a full literature review in your grant proposal; most likely that's not an option with page constraints anyway. But you do want to give them an overview of the most cutting-edge research in the field. Remember, some reviewers may not be in your exact field, so they aren't up-to-date on the latest and greatest, so let them know. Use this description of the cutting edge to generate some excitement about the field and your work.
Show your contributions:
One thing PIs sometimes forget is that they not only have to make a case for their amazing research, but they also need to show that they are the best person to do this research. So, when you're describing the cutting edge research, be sure to position yourself in it as a thought leader and cutting-edge researcher yourself.
Identify the gaps:
Once you've clued your reviewers into what's happening that's so exciting in your field and what you've done thus far, segue into what is the next thing that needs to be done. Outline the gaps in the cutting-edge research and what needs to happen to keep the field moving forward.
Show why your gap should be filled:
Sometimes PIs outline the gaps in their grant proposal but don't take the extra step to explain why it's so important to fill these gaps. This can be a fatal flaw in a proposal. Don't assume that your reviewers will inherently understand why your project is important. Close the loop and explain the whole thing, even if you think it's unnecessary. Your reviewers will be thankful for the clarity.
Show how you will fill it and offer the ongoing vision
Once you've made the case for your project, show how your project will accomplish all the needs that you described in your case. And as the icing on the cake, bring them back to the vision of your research and what will be possible in the future as you progress.
If you use these items as a checklist, you'll be sure to incorporate all the items you need in your proposal to make a clear and compelling case for your project.
Resources:
The Heilmeier Catechism
Heilmeier Catechism: Nine Questions You Must Answer to Develop a Meaningful Data Science Project - Data Scientist Insights
Now, I can certainly understand how this gets left out. You are space limited in most grant proposals, so it's certainly enticing to just jump right into what you want to do and why it's important. But, remember, to show the importance of your study, you need to offer contextual research. More than that, you must show you're the right person for the job by showing the contributions you've made to research in this area in the past.
To do this, I give you a formula for describing and contextualizing your project in the research...
Describe the cutting edge of current research:
You don't want to give reviewers a full literature review in your grant proposal; most likely that's not an option with page constraints anyway. But you do want to give them an overview of the most cutting-edge research in the field. Remember, some reviewers may not be in your exact field, so they aren't up-to-date on the latest and greatest, so let them know. Use this description of the cutting edge to generate some excitement about the field and your work.
Show your contributions:
One thing PIs sometimes forget is that they not only have to make a case for their amazing research, but they also need to show that they are the best person to do this research. So, when you're describing the cutting edge research, be sure to position yourself in it as a thought leader and cutting-edge researcher yourself.
Identify the gaps:
Once you've clued your reviewers into what's happening that's so exciting in your field and what you've done thus far, segue into what is the next thing that needs to be done. Outline the gaps in the cutting-edge research and what needs to happen to keep the field moving forward.
Sometimes PIs outline the gaps in their grant proposal but don't take the extra step to explain why it's so important to fill these gaps. This can be a fatal flaw in a proposal. Don't assume that your reviewers will inherently understand why your project is important. Close the loop and explain the whole thing, even if you think it's unnecessary. Your reviewers will be thankful for the clarity.
Show how you will fill it and offer the ongoing vision
Once you've made the case for your project, show how your project will accomplish all the needs that you described in your case. And as the icing on the cake, bring them back to the vision of your research and what will be possible in the future as you progress.
If you use these items as a checklist, you'll be sure to incorporate all the items you need in your proposal to make a clear and compelling case for your project.
Resources:
The Heilmeier Catechism
Heilmeier Catechism: Nine Questions You Must Answer to Develop a Meaningful Data Science Project - Data Scientist Insights
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Taking control of your research
One of the things I love about the fall semester is welcoming our newest faculty members. It's exciting to watch these new assistant professors infuse the university with their unique research and ideas. Although most new faculty come in raring to go on their research, the first barrier they run into is teaching their first classes. Suddenly, all of the excitement to kick off their research agenda is replaced by stress in developing a syllabus and managing multiple classrooms.
This is understandable, teaching is intensive, and particularly when you're teaching a class you've never taught before. But, oftentimes after a successful fall of teaching, new faculty take a well-deserved break over the holidays, and come spring, there is a whole new crop of students sitting in class ready to learn. Next thing you know, it's fall of your second year, and you feel guilty for letting your research lag...
Don't let this happen to you! When it comes to kicking off your faculty research, here are some tips:
Outline your plan
If you're coming directly from getting your PhD or completing a Postdoc, you're certainly no stranger to research, but you may not have had total control of your research agenda until now. Even as a Postdoc, usually you were working on the projects of your mentor. Now, you have your very own gig, but with this freedom can come some dilemmas. To keep this empowerment from overwhelming you, take some time to review and develop your research agenda. What research can you start on to get your feet wet and get some preliminary data to begin applying for grants? And, what's your end game? What do you want to have a reputation for in 10 years? Make sure your research agenda and plan are steering you toward your ultimate goal.
Find mentors
As mentioned, as a new Assistant Professor, you have a lot of freedom about what you work on and how much and when, but sometimes you may feel like you're spinning your wheels while you figure that out. This is where mentors are so important. Find research mentors who can work with you to sort out what you want to do and give guidance on prioritizing your work. Mentors have been there and done that. They've made mistakes that they might be able to help you avoid, or at least help you work through if you make the same mistake. So, find a mentor, or a circle of mentors, to support and advise you.
Develop a schedule and good habits
Once you know where you're going in terms of your research and have a mentorship team to support you, time to get to it. Make sure you set yourself up for success by mapping out when you will conduct your research and write. Know when you are most effective during the day and capitalize on your most productive time by doing your most important work then. Perhaps create a writing group with other early career researchers to create some accountability and get feedback from your peers. You likely know your bad habits. So, combat them by planning against them. If you tend to procrastinate, try to build new habits that allow you to complete tasks early or by your own fake deadlines.
By putting your research first, you'll find that by next year, you will still be busy, but you will be and will feel productive!
Resources:
Do You REALLY Want to Be a Professor - Kerry Ann Rockquemore
30 Tips for Successful Academic Research and Writing - Deborah Lupton
This is understandable, teaching is intensive, and particularly when you're teaching a class you've never taught before. But, oftentimes after a successful fall of teaching, new faculty take a well-deserved break over the holidays, and come spring, there is a whole new crop of students sitting in class ready to learn. Next thing you know, it's fall of your second year, and you feel guilty for letting your research lag...
Don't let this happen to you! When it comes to kicking off your faculty research, here are some tips:
Outline your plan
If you're coming directly from getting your PhD or completing a Postdoc, you're certainly no stranger to research, but you may not have had total control of your research agenda until now. Even as a Postdoc, usually you were working on the projects of your mentor. Now, you have your very own gig, but with this freedom can come some dilemmas. To keep this empowerment from overwhelming you, take some time to review and develop your research agenda. What research can you start on to get your feet wet and get some preliminary data to begin applying for grants? And, what's your end game? What do you want to have a reputation for in 10 years? Make sure your research agenda and plan are steering you toward your ultimate goal.
Find mentors
As mentioned, as a new Assistant Professor, you have a lot of freedom about what you work on and how much and when, but sometimes you may feel like you're spinning your wheels while you figure that out. This is where mentors are so important. Find research mentors who can work with you to sort out what you want to do and give guidance on prioritizing your work. Mentors have been there and done that. They've made mistakes that they might be able to help you avoid, or at least help you work through if you make the same mistake. So, find a mentor, or a circle of mentors, to support and advise you.
Develop a schedule and good habits
Once you know where you're going in terms of your research and have a mentorship team to support you, time to get to it. Make sure you set yourself up for success by mapping out when you will conduct your research and write. Know when you are most effective during the day and capitalize on your most productive time by doing your most important work then. Perhaps create a writing group with other early career researchers to create some accountability and get feedback from your peers. You likely know your bad habits. So, combat them by planning against them. If you tend to procrastinate, try to build new habits that allow you to complete tasks early or by your own fake deadlines.
By putting your research first, you'll find that by next year, you will still be busy, but you will be and will feel productive!
Resources:
Do You REALLY Want to Be a Professor - Kerry Ann Rockquemore
30 Tips for Successful Academic Research and Writing - Deborah Lupton
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