Transforming Good Ideas into Funded Research: Strategies for New Faculty & New Grant Seekers Dr. Nicole Wagner Senior Lecturer Department of Agriculture Ms. Stephanie A. Korcheck Research Coordinator for Proposal Development College of Education October 4, 2016

SESSION OBJECTIVES Understand strategies related to developing a fundable research agenda Understand how creating a Research Agenda and Project Work Plan is an efficient way to operationalize your research agenda into individual research projects Learn strategies to get to know potential funders Understand why and how to prepare a concept paper to obtain feedback on your research project Learn about research development resources at Texas State

SECURING EXTERNAL FUNDING FOR RESEARCH Be Strategic and Efficient with Your Time! Develop a Multi-Year Research Agenda Create a Research Project Work Plan Develop & Submit Concept Papers Craft and Submit a Full Application

DEVELOP A FIVE-YEAR RESEARCH AGENDA All scholarship placed within context of larger agenda

Passion

from Graduate Advisors Gain Independence from Graduate Advisors Develop Strong Publication Record Linked to Research Agenda

Link Research Agenda to Improving Education Improve undergraduate and graduate student education Increase diversity of graduates Broader impact on society

MENTORS Department Chair and Faculty Faculty from other departments Colleagues from other institutions Consider Co-PI Role

All funded research begins with a good idea…

CURRENT FUNDING LANDSCAPE Current Literature Professional Organizations Conferences Preliminary Review of Funders

FUNDABLE RESEARCH IDEAS Address Significant, Timely Problem Interdisciplinary Approach Innovative Broad Impact

RESEARCH AGENDA & PROJECT WORK PLAN TEMPLATE

BENEFITS OF DEVELOPING RESEARCH AGENDA Turns good idea into fundable projects Defines scope of work Identifies resources required for success Foundation for Research design Project timeline Budget spreadsheet/justification Parameters to identify potential funders

KNOW YOUR FUNDER Priorities – mission, strategic plans, previous awards General Procedures Sign up for Alerts, Newsletters Program Officers, Reviewers, Funded Researchers

is awarded through unsolicited, investigator-initiated proposals Don’t Wait For a Call For Proposals! 50% NSF and 80% NIH funding is awarded through unsolicited, investigator-initiated proposals

3 or 55

PREPARE CONCEPT PAPER Mini proposal to sell significance and viability of your idea Feedback regarding strengths and weaknesses of project Relationships with program officers Best use of your valuable time

FIRST DRAFT Title Intro Background and Purpose Project Description Goals and Ojectives Research Design Expected Outcomes Project Needs and Key Personnel Significance and Impact

THIS IS A SALES PITCH!

You MUST write with your audience in mind Level of expertise Link to funder’s priorities It’s all about the “so what?” Think grandiosely!

SHARE YOUR CONCEPT PAPER Research Coordinator Mentors Potential funder(s) You cannot! will not!! must not!!! send the same version to multiple funders

CONCEPT PAPER OUTCOMES Feedback Applicable to Funding Priorities Strengths and Weaknesses Relationship with Program Officer Next Step Receive Funding Expanded Concept Paper Full Application Different Program Officer

STRATEGIES TO LAUNCH RESEARCH Texas State – AVPR, college Professional Organizations “Local” Foundations Tenure-Track Fellowships/Awards National Foundations and Federal Agencies – exploratory/pilot grants

RESOURCES College Research Coordinators Office of Research Development http://www.txstate.edu/research/for-researchers/research_coordinators.html Office of Research Development http://www.txstate.edu/research/for-researchers.html Initiative for Interdisciplinary Research & Analysis (IIRDA) http://www.txstate.edu/trec/iirda Colleagues who have been funded

Questions?

PRESENTER INFORMATION Dr. Nicole Wagner Senior Lecturer Department of Agriculture College of Applied Arts n_w51@txstate.edu; 512-245-3275 Ms. Stephanie A. Korcheck Research Coordinator for Proposal Development Office of Research and Sponsored Programs College of Education sk18@txstate.edu; 512-245-2041 http://www.education.txstate.edu/orsp/