SubjectThree topics

Select one topic

Come up with three ideas

Select one idea

Decide the NSF program you want to apply to

The Scientist (1998)

• Significance: Will the study move the field forward? Novel, not mere confirmatory!

• Approach: Are the experiments sound and technically feasible?

• Innovation: Are your ideas creative/novel?

• You and your environment: Can YOU accomplish the goals given your training, resources, budget and collaborations?

Is there a single rule to become a successful grants writer?

• No, but smart thinking and hard work might help• Individual skills, experience and ability• Salesmanship• How you package an idea?• How readable and exciting you make it• Make reviewers your advocates, not adversaries• How are you the only one in the world who can

do it or lead it?

Pearls of Wisdom Jacob Kraicer

• Grantsmanship is the art of acquiring peer-reviewed research funding

• Good writing will not save bad idea but bad writing can kill good ones.

• Read instructions CAREFULLY and follow them EXACTLY!

• Make your proposal a joy to read!

Penn State’ top ten listOffice of Research Affairs

• In order to win, you have to play• Do your homework• Learn to walk before you run• Don’t let the tail wag the dog• If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right• He who has gold, rules• Keep several irons in fire• Don’t promise what you can not deliver• Deliver what you promise• Try, try and try again until you succeed

Formulate ideas

Identify colleagues who could help >generalists >specialist

Read literature

Generate preliminary data

Identify resources>funding>institute>research services>successful proposals>criticism

Have time on your side

They can not read your mind!

• Think like a scientist– Define a problem– Ask questions– Formulate hypotheses– Design experiment– Plan for evaluation– Get rich!

Knowledge is the key!

• Know your funding agency

• Know your colleagues• Know your topic• Know yourself

If you missed Valorie’s presentation on September 15, 2005, go to

• http://www.sos.mtu.edu/gsc/funding.htm • Select the slide show by clicking on

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program 9/21/04 presentation

• We both are available for one-on-one advice during this NSF grant preparation

• At least Do it for money! 30K versus 15 K!

Hall of Fame: 2004-2005

• Meghan McGee : NSF Graduate Fellowship

• Veronica Brieno Rankin: Visiting Fellowship for Acknowledged Research Leaders via Land and Water, Australia

• Valerie Fuchs: NSF Graduate Fellowship (special coaching)

So you are ready with page 1

• Now, it is time to read GPG (it is at our class site http://forest.mtu.edu/faculty/joshi/web/indexfw5850.htm

• Success doesn't just "happen." It is organized, preempted, captured, by consecrated common sense. - -- F.E. Willard

Lesson in communication!

• Speak the language of your stakeholders

• Is it not English? No!

• Grantlish: Bev Browning

• Grant lingo!

• GPG: overwhelmed by the 61 pages

• Skip first 5 pages, look at table of content

• Start from overview..

Type of program documents

• Dear Colleague letter: draw attention• Program description-broad description• Program announcement-open for business• Program solicitations (RFP or Request for

proposal)-– Deviations from GPG– Deviation from evaluation criteria– Deadlines– Letter intent?– Limits on award, cost share, applicants/institute

Prescreening: Not for all programs!

• Letter of intent– PI and institute– What area of research– Not peer reviewed– Just for information to decide upon panel

• Preliminary proposal– Short listing of good quality proposals– Invite/do not invite: Only for large centers– Encourage/discourage: advisory

Who may submit?

• US Universities/academic institutions

• Non-profit/non-academic: Museums etc

• For-profit: SBIR, academic/industry

• State and Local Govt.

• Unaffiliated individuals: US citizenship

• Foreign organizations• Other federal agencies: limited & collaborative

Simple Assignment

• Start thinking about the background information• Come up with one line title.• Short & sweet but not too cute!• Avoid acronyms• Should attract reader to your proposal• Use key words, don’t be too general• Avoid using these words: understanding,

developing, finding, proposing, for the first time• Title should tell people what this proposal is about!