Subject Three topics Select one topic Come up with three ideas Select one idea Decide the NSF program you want to apply to

The Scientist (1998) Significance: Will the study move the field forward? Novel, not mere confirmatory! Approach: Are the experiments sound and technically feasible? Innovation: Are your ideas creative/novel? You and your environment: Can YOU accomplish the goals given your training, resources, budget and collaborations?

Is there a single rule to become a successful grants writer? No, but smart thinking and hard work might help Individual skills, experience and ability Salesmanship How you package an idea? How readable and exciting you make it Make reviewers your advocates, not adversaries How are you the only one in the world who can do it or lead it?

Pearls of Wisdom Jacob Kraicer Grantsmanship is the art of acquiring peer- reviewed research funding Good writing will not save bad idea but bad writing can kill good ones. Read instructions CAREFULLY and follow them EXACTLY! Make your proposal a joy to read!

Penn State’ top ten list Office of Research Affairs In order to win, you have to play Do your homework Learn to walk before you run Don’t let the tail wag the dog If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right He who has gold, rules Keep several irons in fire Don’t promise what you can not deliver Deliver what you promise Try, try and try again until you succeed

Formulate ideas Identify colleagues who could help >generalists >specialist Read literature Generate preliminary data Identify resources >funding >institute >research services >successful proposals >criticism Have time on your side

They can not read your mind! Think like a scientist –Define a problem –Ask questions –Formulate hypotheses –Design experiment –Plan for evaluation –Get rich!

Knowledge is the key! Know your funding agency Know your colleagues Know your topic Know yourself

If you missed Valorie’s presentation on September 15, 2005, go to Select the slide show by clicking on NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program 9/21/04 presentation NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program We both are available for one-on-one advice during this NSF grant preparation At least Do it for money! 30K versus 15 K!

Hall of Fame: Meghan McGee : NSF Graduate Fellowship Veronica Brieno Rankin: Visiting Fellowship for Acknowledged Research Leaders via Land and Water, Australia Valerie Fuchs: NSF Graduate Fellowship (special coaching)

So you are ready with page 1 Now, it is time to read GPG (it is at our class site Success doesn't just "happen." It is organized, preempted, captured, by consecrated common sense F.E. Willard

Lesson in communication! Speak the language of your stakeholders Is it not English? No! Grantlish: Bev Browning Grant lingo! GPG: overwhelmed by the 61 pages Skip first 5 pages, look at table of content Start from overview..

Type of program documents Dear Colleague letter: draw attention Program description-broad description Program announcement-open for business Program solicitations (RFP or Request for proposal)- –Deviations from GPG –Deviation from evaluation criteria –Deadlines –Letter intent? –Limits on award, cost share, applicants/institute

Prescreening: Not for all programs! Letter of intent –PI and institute –What area of research –Not peer reviewed –Just for information to decide upon panel Preliminary proposal –Short listing of good quality proposals –Invite/do not invite: Only for large centers –Encourage/discourage: advisory

Who may submit? US Universities/academic institutions Non-profit/non-academic: Museums etc For-profit: SBIR, academic/industry State and Local Govt. Unaffiliated individuals: US citizenship Foreign organizations Other federal agencies: limited & collaborative

Simple Assignment Start thinking about the background information Come up with one line title. Short & sweet but not too cute! Avoid acronyms Should attract reader to your proposal Use key words, don’t be too general Avoid using these words: understanding, developing, finding, proposing, for the first time Title should tell people what this proposal is about!