October 13, 2009: Mount Royal University Tips & Trips of Research Funding

About Funders Finding a Funder Talking with a Funder Writing an Application Understanding the Review Process Some Specific Funding Opportunities Sample Grant Agenda

Many funders receive their funds from Gov’t. What does this mean for applicants? They need to fund a certain number of applications/year They have set mandates They have specific areas of interest each year They have deliverables as well, based on what they fund They want you to apply, be successful, and complete a project on time They worry that you won’t! About Funders

 1. Start with those you know. ▪ Often links to other funders on websites ▪  2. Talk to others with similar interests. ▪ Were they successful? Where did they apply?  3. Learn about the differences. ▪ Peer-Reviewed Grants vs. Contracts vs. Private Funding 4. Call the agency.  Finding a Funder How To

Finding a Funding Opportunity How To Make Sure It’s A Good Fit Websites Vision & Mission statements Grant Categories Scope: Currently/Previously Funded Projects Eligibility for Funding

 Finding Answers ▪ Make sure you look online first ▪ Call or Still Unsure? Call Them

 Important Tips ▪ Be detailed ▪ But be concise (45% rule) ▪ Complete all sections ▪ Follow instructions (Understand the Instructions!) ▪ Attach all documents/appendices (Use Appendices) ▪ Meet the deadline ▪ Leave enough time for signatures ▪ Ask about late policies ▪ Proofread Completing Your Application How To

Sections of the Proposal  Although relationships are important in CBR, so are methods.  While it is important to have a theoretical framework, make sure to spend lots of time talking about what you will do and how you will do it. ▪ Grants are competitive; reviewers need to see that you have an idea of how you will approach the research project  Allocate your space based on the importance of each section Proposal Writing How To

Rationale Convince me that it is worth the $ Research Questions Use measurable language, be objective Methods Recruitment, Sample Size, Bias, Prevalence of Condition Theoretical Framework Study Design Randomization, Group Allocation Data Collection, Participant Burden Data Analysis (specifics) Link to Research Questions Proposal Writing How To

Review Forms: Generally Available online: Find them! Considerations - Find out what the reviewers are looking for - Tell them exactly what they need to know! - Make it easy for them to find the information - Make sure you meet all the criteria - Read between the lines! - Proposal Writing How To

 Eligible and Ineligible Expenses : Expenditures Things to Remember Hospitality and entertainment expenses; Education-related expenses; Indirect costs or organizational overhead costs; Personal costs to the researcher; Expenses related to professional activities; Stipend or salary support for team members with academic affiliations; Discretionary severance and separation packages; Any expenses unrelated to the outlined research study; & Expenses that have no significant research component.

Peer Reviewed Process What is it? Grant Lifecycle Receive Review for completeness (Application Decisions) Select Peer Review Reviewers Read and Assess Applications Reviewers Meet & Discuss Reviews Recommendation to Board Board Approval Notify Applicant

Common Trips What to Avoid What ‘not’ to do! Opinion vs. Fact statements Limited literature reviews Lack of citations Justifying your qualitative methodology- we get it! Spending too much time on team- we have your CV! Spelling Errors Forgetting that this is competitive Ignoring feedback at the LOI stage Rushing- 6-8 months! Telling us you will do something, why isn’t it already done? Being lenient with instructions- if you cannot follow instructions, why should I think you can do a whole study?

 Alberta Centre for Child, Family, & Community Research Canadian Health Services Research Foundation Canadian Institute for Health Information Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Aboriginal Peoples‘ Health Institute of Infection and Immunity Institute of Population and Public Health Laidlaw Foundation Ontario HIV Treatment Network Public Health Agency of Canada Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council United Way Vancouver Foundation Wellesley Institute Some Funding Agencies