Strategies for Getting Grants

Several OSU faculty members have been successful in bringing in large funds for research. Following are some of their ideas. This is not a comprehensive how-to. Refer also to Funding Opportunties and Sources.

Funding Fundamentals

Several OSU faculty members have been successful in bringing in large funds for research. The following are some tips gathered from researchers.

Build relationships with funding agencies

• Attend professional conferences, and at them, take the opportunities to make personal contact with the funding representatives
• Call the funding representatives, and correspond by email
• Express your interest in their program ( yet avoid being obsequious)
• Realize that program officers are eager for the success of the programs, and are interested in fresh projects and approaches

Think like the reviewer when you are writing a proposal

• Explain clearly what you're going to do and how you'll do it. Often, most of a proposal is spent on background, justification, theory, other research. It may be more beneficial to devote half of the proposal to the what and how of your research.
• Make it clear that what you will do will effectively address the research questions that you're posing

Show that you are capable/worthy of the research

• When starting out, get on projects with bigger name researchers

If your proposal is rejected,
use the opportunity to improve your chances next time

• Speak with the program officer, asking for feedback to improve your ideas and presentation Let them know your interest and capabilities for the future.
• If possible, read the competing, winning proposals, to learn from them. While most agencies treat proposals as confidential until they get funded, with tenacity you may be able to get getting copies of those that are funded.

Keep at it and don't get discouraged

• Even the best investigators are not being awarded funds on all of their applications. The process requires perseverance, tenacity, and faith.

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Jeff Hale has been Director of Development for College of Liberal Arts and teacher of grantwriting. He adds the following thoughts about procuring funding.

Partnership

It's about getting "a match" between the funding organization and researcher. It’s a partnership: you need the funds; the funding organization needs someone to responsibly spend its money. You have to show that you will be responsible to the funding organization, to help carry out its mission. If you can’t understand its mission from its materials, call and ask.

Orientation

Foundations like “winners, not whiners.” It is important to situate yourself with the foundation as deserving of their support. To build credibiliy, focus on the worthiness of your project, why it works, how it fits.

Credibility

Your proposal should show that you have done good, well, thought-out planning. This is how you establish credibility. You also need to show perseverance and focus toward the attainment of your goals.

Communication

Recognize that relationships will be built on effective and ongoing communication. Don’t be afraid to call/write/ask for opinions.

Who else has a parallel study? Build friendships and trusting relationships.

Seek out mentors and cheerleaders.

Dare to dream – Look a the big picture

A multidisciplinary project that involves multiple partnerships will be more attractive to a funder than a small project.

Stand up for your beliefs

Remain dedicated. Stick to what you want to do; don’t change horses in mid-stream – don’t just follow the funder or get pulled off-task. Show your passion for your work.

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