Research Grant Proposal Writing: Bucknell Trends and Faculty Perspectives Mike Malusis, Tom Solomon, and Rick Rosenberg Engineering Faculty Learning Series February 29, 2008 Introduction Introduction Early-Career Grant Writing Early-Career Grant Writing University Resources University Resources Keys to Success (Breakout Session) Keys to Success (Breakout Session)

National Science Foundation (NSF) proposals Research Grant Proposals: Recent Trends College of Engineering (Data Source: College of Engineering) University-Wide (Data Source:

Grant Writing: Why? Financial support for research  equipment, supplies, travel, student support, salary, publication charges, sabbatical support Overhead recovery for department Grant timelines help you keep active with research Enhance reputation for your research among peers at other institutions Enhance department’s and Bucknell’s reputation Looks good for tenure and promotion

Can be a great way to kickstart scholarship Can be a great way to kickstart scholarship  Plan and critically assess your scholarly agenda  Develop specific research goals and objectives  Determine resource needs and existing resources  Compile, review, and synthesize the existing body of literature  Identify potential collaborators Early-Career Grant Writing: Why? Valuable feedback from peers Valuable feedback from peers May count as peer-reviewed scholarship even if not funded May count as peer-reviewed scholarship even if not funded May even get funded! May even get funded! No students required! No students required!

Become familiar with external grant submission process Become familiar with external grant submission process  Internal forms (COI, Drug-free, Facilities Impact, GP Processing Form)  Relevant funding agencies, programs, and solicitations  Internal and external points of contact  Chain of command and internal deadlines  Available BU support (stipends, tuition waivers, housing, supplies, etc.)  Usernames/passwords (e.g., NSF FastLane) Establish contact with relevant agency program directors Establish contact with relevant agency program directors Ask colleagues for copies of successful proposals Ask colleagues for copies of successful proposals Network with colleagues on and off campus Network with colleagues on and off campus Early-Career Grant Writing: Be Prepared

University Resources Deans’ Offices Corporate and Foundation Relations Sponsored Research (COMING!) Finance Office Databases (SpinPLUS, FDO, Blackboard) Workshops Website (

Intellectual Merit Intellectual Merit  Importance of research  Qualifications, resources, originality, and creativity  Potentially transformative research (NEW!) Broader Impacts Broader Impacts  Diversity and underrepresented groups  Dissemination  Societal benefits  Integration of research and education NSF Proposal Review Criteria Transformative Research: Range of endeavors which promise extraordinary outcomes (e.g., revolutionizing entire fields, creating entirely new fields, disrupting accepted theories/practices)

Research Grant Writing: Keys to Success Breakout Group Discussion: (1) What are your keys to success in research grant proposal writing? (2)What are the benefits and challenges associated with getting proposals funded at Bucknell, a primarily undergraduate institution?

Research Grant Writing: Keys to Success Some possible keys to success: Talk to program director prior to submission Talk to program director prior to submission Be persuasive and pay attention to detail! Be persuasive and pay attention to detail! Make sure budget is appropriate for proposed work Make sure budget is appropriate for proposed work Leverage Bucknell resources wherever possible Leverage Bucknell resources wherever possible Avoid relying too heavily on collaborators when writing proposal Avoid relying too heavily on collaborators when writing proposal Include significant passive and active “broader impacts” Include significant passive and active “broader impacts” Solicit reviews from colleagues prior to submission Solicit reviews from colleagues prior to submission Go with your strengths (i.e., in field where you have track record) Go with your strengths (i.e., in field where you have track record) Take advantage of special programs (e.g., NSF RUI) Take advantage of special programs (e.g., NSF RUI) Emphasize success with undergrads when appropriate Emphasize success with undergrads when appropriate Don’t give up! Don’t give up!