1. Jake Blanchard – University of Wisconsin – August 2007

2. Who provides funding? How do I apply for it? What then?

3. Federal Government Corporations Foundations

4. National Science Foundation (NSF) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Department of Energy Department of Homeland Security Defense: DARPA, ARL, NRL, NRO, AFOSR Health and Human Services National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Department of Education Center for Disease Control (CDC) NASA

5. Biological sciences Computer and information science and engineering Cyberinfrastructure Education and human resources Engineering Environmental research and education Geosciences International science and engineering Mathematical and physical sciences Polar programs Social, behavioral, and economic sciences Career awards reach across all areas SBIRs do as well

6. 27 different institutes and centers, eg. National Cancer Inst., National Eye Inst., etc. Grant Types R01-most common, 3-5 years, no dollar limit, usually takes multiple submissions R21-exploratory/developmental, up to two years, <$275,000 total, no preliminary data required Many others

7. Computer and computational sciences Materials sciences engineering Chemical sciences, geosciences, and biosciences Medical sciences Life sciences Nanoscale science, engineering, and technology Nuclear energy Superconductivity Transportation

8. Fulbright scholars program collaboration, especially internationally Packard Foundation conservation and science; children, families and communities; population; etc. Sloan Foundation indoor environment; molecular evolution, theoretical neurobiology, computational molecular biology, astrophysics, marine science, limits to knowledge MacArthur Foundation affordable housing; community & economic development; digital media, learning & education; juvenile justice; mental health; policy research; regional policy; research networks; program-related investments

9. This varies from field to field Research is generally more applied, shorter term, more closely watched Many old research labs have closed down and, overall, industrial research levels are smaller than in the past Watch for young investigator grants

10. Title Page Abstract Table of Contents Introduction Background Section Description of Proposed Research Description of Relevant Institutional Resources List of References Personnel Section Budget Section Appendices

11. Approach (73 percent) proposed methods unsuited to problem Problem (58 percent) problem not of sufficient importance Investigator (55 percent) investigator does not have adequate experience Other (16 percent) requirements for equipment or personnel are unrealistic http://www.research.umich.edu/proposals/PWG/pwgrejected.html

12. Follow the rules Focus on clearly stating the potential impact of the research, objectives, and proposed approach Avoid jargon, acronyms, etc. Show how your project: will extend previous work will avoid previous errors is unique Volunteer for review committees to see what makes a successful proposal

13. If you get funded: You will have prepared a budget – you may or may not have to stick to it You will generally have to be able to account for what you spend and show it was spent on this project Focus on your research Progress reports Final report Publish Keep “next step” in mind

14. blanchard@engr.wisc.edu