The Federal Agency Perspective on Research Belinda Batten, Director, NNMREC

Types of Funding Sources Agencies funding general research: e.g., National Science Foundation Mission based agencies: e.g., Department of Defense, Department of Energy, National Institutes of Health Private Foundations: e.g., Keck, Murdoch

National Science Foundation, Lots of information available about funding opportunities Easy to find program managers Grants Proposal Guide Typically use panels for review

Mission Based Agencies Agencies with an underlying mission to fulfill through research: Air Force Office of Scientific Research: AFOSR discovers, shapes, and champions basic science that profoundly impacts the future Air Force” NIH Office of Extramural Research: NIH is the nation’s medical research agency—supporting scientific studies that turn discovery into health.

What are the agencies interested in? See their websites Watch the research office s Talk with the program manager Grants.gov

Program Managers It’s their job to fund research! vs. phone call; be persistent Personal visit Keep in touch Ask if it’s appropriate to attend a workshop/contractor’s meeting Remember, their job is to fund research. You’re helping them do their job.

White Papers What is your idea (objective) What is your approach (methods) What is new and/or why now? Why should this agency and program manager care? What’s the likely impact? 2 – 4 pages, clear, concise (less is better)

Review Processes They vary! NSF typically uses panels Some agencies use individual review Some agencies are returning reviewer comments for response! Use reviewer feedback; don’t be afraid to resubmit

To summarize: Think broadly about where to look for funding Make a best friend of a program manager Have white papers on hand Don’t be afraid to resubmit proposals Belinda Batten,