1. Sandra H. Harpole February 6,2012

2.  Dr. George Hazzelrigg ◦ Competitive Proposal Writing ◦ www.research.lsu.edu/files/item38877.pdf www.research.lsu.edu/files/item38877.pdf  Dr. Elizabeth VanderPutten ◦ Why This is Such a Great Time to be in Education ◦ www.research.lsu.edu.item39157.pdf www.research.lsu.edu.item39157.pdf

3.  NSF’s most prestigious award for assistant professors  Funds academic career development of new faculty – not a research award  Based on a developmental plan ◦ “well argued specific proposal for activities that will build a firm foundation for a lifetime of integrated contributions to research and education”

4.  Five-year award with minimum award of $400,000  Designed to provide stable support at level and duration to build foundation for a lifetime of integrated contributions to research and education  Very competitive – about 400 of 3,000 proposals are funded each year  Deadline: July each year

5.  What is your expertise? Your interests?  What are your life/career goals?  What are your resources?  Do you have a strategic plan? ◦ Where are you now? ◦ Where do you want to be in 5, 10, 20 years? ◦ How do you get there?

6.  Innovative, researchable project sufficient for five years of work  Built on existing literature with strong potential to contribute to that literature  Has appropriate methodologies for research questions  Reflects expertise and passion of principal investigator

7.  Brings excitement of research to education  Is consistent with mission and goals of the university  Is innovative but builds on the work of others  Is doable  Reflects the expertise as well as limitations of principal investigator  Is capable of being evaluated

8.  90% work with graduate students to submit peer reviewed papers.  Only 8% work with graduate students who have internships in business.  Almost 80% involve undergraduates in research with 6% of the students getting industrial internships.  About 50% work with K-12 teachers or students

9.  Have a strategic plan  Build on your strengths  Differentiate your proposed research from your PhD. Thesis work and other sponsored research  Perform thorough literature search and exploratory research before writing proposal ◦ Journal articles (update with personal contact) ◦ NSF Grant Proposal Guide  Establish and maintain your contacts

10.  Read, critique and use research about STEM education ◦ Science, Nature, Journal of Research in Science Teaching, professional societies  Read some National Research Council’s Synthesis work in education ◦ How People Learn ◦ Adding It Up ◦ Knowing What Students Know ◦ Scientific Research in Education ◦ Learning Science in Informal Environments

11.  Read the request for proposals (RFP) carefully  Contact program directors early  Don’t make the research and education proposed too broad or too narrow.  Write to the reviewers ◦ What is the research about (research objective)? ◦ How will you conduct the research (technical approach)? ◦ Can you do it (you and your facilities)? ◦ Is it worth doing (intellectual merit and broader impact)?

12.  Work with others  Develop budget based on the research and education plan ◦ Do not ask for too much or too little money  Follow the guidelines carefully  Have someone review your proposal  Proof and proof again  Prepare IRB if human subjects are involved

13.  www.research.lsu.edu/files/item38877.pdf www.research.lsu.edu/files/item38877.pdf

14.  Sandra H. Harpole  sharpole@research.msstate.edu sharpole@research.msstate.edu  662-325-2922