Applying for Research Funding : Getting Started and Getting Funded

by Joanne B. Ries

• ISBN13: 9780803953659
• ISBN10: 0803953658
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1994-11-14
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc

Summary

"The book has the advantage that chapters are fairly self-contained, so the reader can dip into sections that look helpful. There is good material on data sources, research details to include, checklists to use, and methodology to develop." --John M. Wilson in Journal of the Operational Research Society "This information-packed book is designed to help the researcher approach the grant application process and develop a competitive and successful application. Applying for Research Funding moves the reader through important elements of the application process: making choices at the start, making key contacts, assessing research environments, and knowing what to include on and how to write an application. Some of the other topics this helpful volume covers are writing a persuasive application to its reviewers, and what to expect when an application is or is not funded." --Science, Technology & Society "Ries and Leukefeld have brought together a wealth of experience in this field. They have produced a book which should greatly enrich the research-process literature. . . .What this book promises is a comprehensive and structured form of coaching for the novice, and a clarification and sharpening up of the process for the more seasoned researcher. The layout of the book reflects the ease with which it is intended to be read. . . . Even if one is not applying for funding, this book is worth reading prior to undertaking a major piece of research for the intelligent contribution it can make to structuring your thoughts and to making you look outside the confines of your study topic." --Ramon Pediani in Journal of Advanced Nursing In an environment of shrinking resources, getting research funding from both the government and the private sector is becoming more and more competitive. This information-packed book is designed to help the researcher approach the grant application process and develop a competitive and successful application. Applying for Research Funding moves the reader through important elements of the application process: making choices at the start, making key contacts, assessing research environments, and knowing what to include in and how to write an application. Some of the other topics this helpful volume covers are how to write a persuasive application, how to target the application to its reviewers, and what to expect when an application is or is not funded. Both the beginning and seasoned researcher will find this supportive book invaluable in embarking on and completing the grant-writing process that is so frequently vital to career enhancement.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Introduction	1	(8)
Major Components: Getting Started	2	(1)
Key Connections: Opening Moves	3	(1)
Research in the Real World: The Playing Board	4	(1)
What and When to Write: Rules of the Game	4	(1)
How to Write: Unique Moves S	5	(1)
Checking for Infractions: Preparing for the Audience	5	(1)
The Reviewers' Decision: Endgame	6	(3)
PART I. MAJOR COMPONENTS: Getting Started
The Principal Investigator	9	(17)
Research or Evaluation Experience	12	(3)
Scoring the Research Strengths Inventory	15	(1)
Interpreting Your Score	16	(1)
Positioning	17	(2)
Personal Characteristics	19	(2)
Action Strategies	21	(5)
The Competitive Project Application	26	(19)
Funding Source Expectations	29	(6)
The Research or Evaluation Plan	35	(4)
Action Strategies	39	(6)
PART II. KEY CONNECTIONS: Opening Moves
Funding Mechanisms and the Review Process	45	(17)
Grants	47	(7)
Cooperative Agreements	54	(1)
Review Process for Grants and Cooperative Agreements	54	(2)
Contracts	56	(2)
Contract Review Process	58	(1)
Action Strategies	59	(3)
Formal Resources	62	(16)
First Resource Level	63	(5)
Second Resource Level	68	(6)
Third Resource Level	74	(2)
Action Strategies	76	(2)
Informal Resources	78	(8)
Chance Meetings	79	(1)
Scheduled Meetings	80	(3)
Informal Organizational Support for Conduct of the Project	83	(1)
Action Strategies	83	(3)
Funding Sources	86	(15)
Characteristics of Funding Sources	86	(6)
Selecting a Funding Source	92	(5)
Action Strategies	97	(4)
PART III. RESEARCH IN THE REAL WORLD: The Playing Board
Research Environments	101	(16)
Research Components	102	(4)
Objectives of principal Investigators and Collaborators	106	(4)
Action Strategies	110	(7)
Relationships and Interactions	117	(20)
Presentation of Self	117	(4)
Communication Issues	121	(1)
Power	122	(2)
Communication Heterogeneity	124	(1)
Multiple Relationships	125	(3)
Needed Expertise-At What Price?	128	(1)
Action Strategies	128	(9)
PART IV. WHAT AND WHEN TO WRITE: Rules of the Game
Research Details: What to Write	137	(22)
Title	138	(2)
Specific Aims Section	140	(3)
Literature Review	143	(3)
Preliminary Studies	146	(1)
Experimental Design and Methods	147	(5)
Protection of Human and Animal Subjects	152	(2)
Abstract	154	(1)
Literature Cited	154	(1)
Action Strategies	155	(4)
Supporting Details	159	(12)
Budget and Budget Justification	160	(6)
Biographical Sketches	166	(1)
Other Support	166	(2)
Resources and Environment	168	(1)
Program Income	168	(1)
Adherence to Federal Regulations by the Applicant Organization	169	(1)
Appendix	170	(1)
Action Strategies	170	(1)
Work Plan	171	(22)
Reasons for Developing and Using a Timetable	172	(2)
Setting the Project and Application Clocks	174	(1)
Examining an Idea: Timeframe Suggestions	175	(5)
Completing the Application: Timeframe Suggestions	180	(6)
How to Use a Timetable	186	(1)
Action Strategies	187	(6)
PART V. HOW TO WRITE: Unique Moves
Writing to He Competitive	193	(14)
Physical Appearance	195	(1)
Organizational Plan	196	(1)
Focus	197	(1)
Completeness and Content	198	(2)
Word Usage	200	(3)
Action Strategies	203	(4)
PART VI. CHECKING FOR INFRACTIONS: Preparing for the Audience
Seeing it Through the Reviewers' Eyes	207	(18)
Funding Source Mission and Requirements	208	(1)
Pleasing to the Eyes	208	(4)
Exciting to the Intellect	212	(5)
Administrative Approvals	217	(1)
Action Strategies	217	(8)
PART VII. THE REVIEWERS' DECISION: Endgame
Funded	225	(12)
Notice of Grant Award	227	(1)
Prior Approval	228	(2)
Indirect Costs	230	(1)
Timing	231	(3)
Action Strategies	234	(3)
Not Funded	237	(10)
Reactions to Reviewers' Comments	238	(1)
Interpreting the Reviewers' Comments	239	(4)
The Revised Application	243	(2)
Action Strategies	245	(2)
Index	247	(8)
About the Authors	255