1. Transforming Good Ideas into Funded Research:
Strategies for New Faculty & New Grant Seekers
Dr. Nicole Wagner
Senior Lecturer
Department of Agriculture
Ms. Stephanie A. Korcheck
Research Coordinator for Proposal Development
College of Education
October 4, 2016

2. SESSION OBJECTIVES
Understand strategies related to developing a fundable research agenda
Understand how creating a Research Agenda and Project Work Plan is an efficient way to operationalize your research agenda into individual research projects
Learn strategies to get to know potential funders
Understand why and how to prepare a concept paper to obtain feedback on your research project
Learn about research development resources at Texas State

3. SECURING EXTERNAL FUNDING FOR RESEARCH
Be Strategic and
Efficient with Your Time!
Develop a Multi-Year Research Agenda
Create a Research Project Work Plan
Develop & Submit Concept Papers
Craft and Submit a Full Application

4. DEVELOP A FIVE-YEAR RESEARCH AGENDA
All scholarship placed within context of larger agenda

5. Passion

6. from Graduate Advisors
Gain Independence
from Graduate Advisors
Develop Strong Publication Record Linked to Research Agenda

7. Link Research Agenda to Improving Education
Improve undergraduate and graduate student education
Increase diversity of graduates
Broader impact on society

8. MENTORS Department Chair and Faculty Faculty from other departments
Colleagues from other institutions
Consider Co-PI Role

9. All funded research begins with
a good idea…

10. CURRENT FUNDING LANDSCAPE
Current Literature
Professional Organizations
Conferences
Preliminary Review of Funders

11. FUNDABLE RESEARCH IDEAS
Address Significant, Timely Problem
Interdisciplinary Approach
Innovative
Broad Impact

13. RESEARCH AGENDA & PROJECT WORK PLAN TEMPLATE

14. BENEFITS OF DEVELOPING RESEARCH AGENDA
Turns good idea into fundable projects
Defines scope of work
Identifies resources required for success
Foundation for
Research design
Project timeline
Budget spreadsheet/justification
Parameters to identify potential funders

15. KNOW YOUR FUNDER
Priorities – mission, strategic plans, previous awards
General Procedures
Sign up for Alerts, Newsletters
Program Officers, Reviewers, Funded Researchers

16. is awarded through unsolicited, investigator-initiated proposals
Don’t Wait For a
Call For Proposals!
50% NSF and 80% NIH funding
is awarded through unsolicited, investigator-initiated proposals

17. 3 or 55

18. PREPARE CONCEPT PAPER
Mini proposal to sell significance and viability of your idea
Feedback regarding strengths and weaknesses of project
Relationships with program officers
Best use of your valuable time

19. FIRST DRAFT Title Intro Background and Purpose Project Description
Goals and Ojectives
Research Design
Expected Outcomes
Project Needs and Key Personnel
Significance and Impact

20. THIS IS A SALES PITCH!

21. You MUST write with your audience in mind
Level of expertise
Link to funder’s priorities
It’s all about the “so what?”
Think grandiosely!

22. SHARE YOUR CONCEPT PAPER
Research Coordinator
Mentors
Potential funder(s)
You cannot! will not!! must not!!! send the same version
to multiple funders

23. CONCEPT PAPER OUTCOMES
Feedback
Applicable to Funding Priorities
Strengths and Weaknesses
Relationship with Program Officer
Next Step
Receive Funding
Expanded Concept Paper
Full Application
Different Program Officer

24. STRATEGIES TO LAUNCH RESEARCH
Texas State – AVPR, college
Professional Organizations
“Local” Foundations
Tenure-Track Fellowships/Awards
National Foundations and Federal Agencies – exploratory/pilot grants

25. RESOURCES College Research Coordinators Office of Research Development
Office of Research Development
Initiative for Interdisciplinary Research & Analysis (IIRDA)
Colleagues who have been funded

26. Questions?

27. PRESENTER INFORMATION
Dr. Nicole Wagner
Senior Lecturer
Department of Agriculture
College of Applied Arts
Ms. Stephanie A. Korcheck
Research Coordinator for Proposal Development
Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
College of Education