$$ Money $$ (for research) Bob McMurray Dept. of Psychological and Brain Sciences Dept. of Linguistics Dept. of Communication Sciences & Disorders Dept. of Otolaryngology

Neuroscience Psychology Computer Science Linguistics Philosophy

I do ba’s and pa’s

12 years later….

How do you build a diverse research program? $$$$$

Funding environment is diverse. What’s the best strategy?

Be interdisciplinary Do things in new ways. Tell a story Talk to Program Officers Consider the application of your work Think small (at first) Collaborate Seek [lots of] Advice Be strategic Persistence pays off Build your scholarly profile.

Be interdisciplinary Do things in new ways. Tell a story Talk to Program Officers Consider the application of your work Think small (at first) Collaborate Seek [lots of] Advice Be strategic Persistence pays off Build your whole scholarly profile.

Solutions to big problems require multiple fields. Psychology Linguistics Philosophy Computer Science Neuroscience Be interdisciplinary Solutions to big problems require multiple fields. Collaborators and co-investigators Innovation is a key review criterion: applying solutions from one field to a problem in another is innovative

But… 2) Do things in new ways. Innovation is key at NIH and NSF. New cutting edge methods matter. But…

3) Tell a story Cool methods are NOT enough. Grants live or die on the how compelling the questions are. Develop your narrative.

4) Talk to Program Officers Tell your story  enthusiasm They know the review panels. Find out about institutional priorities Programs / processes for new investigators. Other funding opportunities. Generate goodwill.

4) Talk to Program Officers POs make the funding decisions. Reviews are advisory. Review Panels and Council makes funding decisions… .. But POs do have influence.

4) Talk to Program Officers What kind of influence? Communicate institutional priorities to reviewers. Route you to other institutes / programs. Create opportunity for grants on bubble.

5) Consider application of your work NIH now takes translation seriously. NSF under political pressure to show real-world relevance. A little can go a long way… Collaboration with medical research. Public engagement. Collaboration with industry.

6) Think small (at first). Grants are a risky investment. Panelists and POs evaluate your track record to complete the worl. Often more willing to take a risk for a small investment (while you build your record). Small grants can lead to big. R03s, R21s, small NSF grants etc.

7) Collaborate Use collaborations to extend your reach. Collaborators can shore up weaknesses Technical Expertise - Administrative Interdisciplinary - Application You might shore up someone else’s weaknesses! Collaborate genuinely. But: Independence?

8) Seek [lots of] advice Politics, strategies, funding programs. Content of your grant. Reviewers likely do not come from your area of expertise. Good writing is good writing. Negative reviews Don’t be afraid to ask senior colleagues: they want you to succeed.

Waiting can be beneficial 9) Be strategic. Grant writing takes a ton of time. Writing papers. Collecting pilot data. Building an infrastructure. Thinking and developing ideas! Waiting can be beneficial

10) Persistence pays off. Paylines are low (<15%)! Diversify funding sources. Take negative reviews seriously. - But not personally!

11) Build your whole scholarly profile. Grants are evaluated on applicant quality. New applicants: independent, functioning research program.

11) Build your whole scholarly profile. Grants are evaluated on applicant quality. New applicants: independent, functioning research program. Junior faculty: evaluated on research, teaching and service. - For promotion, your reputation, publications and discoveries may be as (or more) important as funding.

Be interdisciplinary Do things in new ways. Tell a story Talk to Program Officers Consider the application of your work Think small (at first) Collaborate Seek [lots of] Advice Be strategic Persistence pays off Build your whole scholarly profile.

Scholarship is interesting. Curiosity and discovery are the reward. Remember: This is fun! Scholarship is interesting. Curiosity and discovery are the reward. Do it because you love it.