Strategies for Effective Proposal Development at PUIs

An Interactive Session

Sally Southwick, Keene State CollegeMickie Kreidler, Dakota State University

Kendra Mingo, Willamette UniversityKelly DelFatti, Lewis & Clark College

Learning objectives - Participants will:• identify and evaluate effective strategies for

assisting their faculty in developing successful proposals

• discuss appropriate approaches for a range of situations

• leave the session with new ideas to try on their own campuses

Who We Represent – Similar, but different institutions

Keene State College

Dakota State University

Lewis & Clark College

Willamette University

SRO structure Pre-award, non-financial post-award, compliance

Undergraduate enrollment 5300 3000 2000 2000

Tenure-track faculty 210 90 120 155

Number of proposals submitted per year 65-80 25 60 55-70

~External research funding per year $1.5-2 M $2.5 M $1.5 M $1.4 M

Funding Sources NSF, NIH, NEA, HHMI, DoED, DOD, ONC for Health IT, etc.

GOAL: All of us help faculty and our institutions to meet their mission and goals (e.g., create a culture of research, enhance institutions’ visibility, increase the likelihood of competitive proposals).

1. What can we – as SROs – do to increase the likelihood of competitive, fundable proposals?

2. How can we be effective in our different SRO roles?

3. What strategies can we employ to create effective relationships with our faculty?

Consider Some SRO Roles

So what roles do we all play as SROs?

Brainstorm:Take several minutes to think about the roles you play as an SRO.

Some of the Many Roles of a Research Development Professional

• Educator• Researcher• Auditor• Police officer• Institutional representative• PI representative• Sponsor representative• Psychologist• Resource• Advocate• Master planner

• Grant Writer• Editor• Connector• Matchmaker• Information broker• Financial analyst• Career counselor• Librarian/archivist• Interpreter• Cheerleader• Hand-holder

Why consider various SRO roles?1. Think outside your standard

toolbox to find solutions2. Different roles = different lens

through which to solve problems3. Turn problems into solutions,

which then translate to success

Brainstorm: Consider these roles (e.g. matchmaker, master planner, career counselor). Discuss how less common roles could increase the likelihood of competitive, fundable proposals. Share ideas.

• How can we be effective in our different SRO roles?

• By building relationships with faculty – through formal and informal means

• Why? Because to be effective we have to be trusted colleagues able to discern faculty needs

• Realize that building relationships takes time, but is an investment in the future, especially at PUIs

Strategies and ideas for building relationships with faculty

• Try to see things from their perspective • Ask specific questions, be inquisitive • Wander the hallways and pop into offices• Attend lectures, plays, gallery openings, classes, ask for a lab or studio tour• Get invited to departmental meetings• Volunteer for committees or other activities • Ask to be part of candidate interviews • Get invited to new faculty orientation reception or luncheon• Ask faculty with whom you’ve worked well to introduce you to colleagues • Organize some type of celebration for everyone who submitted proposals• Schedule 1:1 meetings with new faculty early in the academic year• Partner with faculty development or similar office or committee• Host a Speed Dating Event • Offer to do 1:1 funding searches • Follow up (do what you’ve offered/promised, send notes/thanks/congrats)

• How can we be most effective in our different SRO roles once we’ve built relationships?

Discern faculty needs and our appropriate role with each individual (lots of variables!)

Examples: Mickie: “Reviewer” Sally: “Master Planner”

Other ways that different roles lead to effective proposal development?

Brainstorm: think about your own examples of roles that led to successful proposals. Share ideas.

By establishing relationships with faculty we can determine what role they need us to play to help them create more effective proposals.

Reflection:1. What was the best idea that surfaced for you

during this workshop?2. Describe an action you will take to develop more

effective faculty relationships and competitive proposals.

References:1. McGrath, Cathleen and Deone Zell. 2009. Profiles of trust: who

to turn to, and for what. MIT Sloan Management Review. 50(2): 75-80.

2. Falconer, John. 2009. A context for extramural funding at state comprehensive universities: tilting a windmills or fighting the good fight? Teacher-Scholar – The Journal of the State Comprehensive University. 1(1): 44-54.

3. Narum, Jeanne L. 2003. The Why, the How, & the Who of Proposal Development. Independent Colleges Office.

4. Porter, Robert. 2011. More paper out the door: ten inexpensive ways to stimulate proposal development. Research Management Review, 18(1): 1-9.