Mathematics and Science Teaching Programs Grant Proposal Workshop Panel Discussion: Writing Successful STEM Education Proposals - Principal Investigator Tips and Formulas for Success David Andrews, CSU Fresno (Moderator) David Stronck, CSU East Bay John Keller and Elsa Medina, Cal Poly SLO Nilgun Ozer, SFSU Deborah Summers, CSU Chico February 6, 2009

How to Write a Successful Proposal Establish need for and viability of program –existing partnerships – particularly K-12– in narrative and letters of support –campus(es) has or have a large, diverse team to carry out the program activities – in terms of faculty, staff, and students –long term change will be achieved at your institution(s) through the particular grant Establish strong program elements –Prepare your $budget$ before identifying program elements –Identify roles and responsibilities for all members of the proposal “team” who will implement program on campus Clearly specify those of program coordinator – the individual who will carry out the “nuts and bolts” of running the program –Any letters of support from school district partners and Deans, etc. should be substantive (no boiler plate) Establish strong evaluation component –Check with your institutional IRB before submittal Establish PI and institutional credentials –PI (principal investigator) should have experience managing large programs –Institution should have track record in partnerships with K-12 Establish evidence of institutional priority, infrastructure and program sustainability –Institution should commit to continuation of some program elements/outcomes –Disseminate program outcomes

How to Operate a Successful Program: Recruitment is Job 1 First step is to put together an excellent team to manage and implement your proposal Must recruit project leadership intersegmentally: e.g. It is important to link to your partner community colleges and K-12 districts Must cast net far and wide when recruiting for project participants: e.g. It is important to advertise broadly --- whether for future teachers as part of Noyce Scholars, or community college partners for the ATE program

K-12 Partnerships – Visit Sites Often – Build Relationships Working closely with districts during project years and after funded project completed essential Maintain close contact with principals, master teachers, and classroom teachers working with you; provide incentives for all Develop methods to track program participants, particularly after program has completed – often will want to do longitudinal evaluation

Sustainability Seek private support for grant activities continuation in the first year of your funded program Explore synergies between the federally funded programs and state and CSU funded programs.

Institutional Infrastructure is Key You can only be funded (and successfully implement!) under the most programs if you have a solid infrastructure in place Solid infrastructure means: –A programs coordinator who can work with you as PI to implement the day-to-day management of the program –Good support from Chair, Dean, Provost –Good financial management support from your grants and contracts office

Panel Remarks: David Stronck Be an opportunist: (1) Recognize that each foundation has carefully formulated a goal and is seeking proposals to implement the foundation¹s goal. (2) Focus on meeting the goal of the Foundation. Provide detailed plans for meeting the goal, not merely generalizations. (3) If you are not qualified or interested in a Foundation¹s goal, then begin the process of trying to identify another foundation that has an appropriate goal related to your qualifications and interests. (4) Do not waste your time and energy by submitting a proposal about your great but irrelevant idea and hoping that a foundation will change its goal.