Funders don’t fund your research just to see how it will benefit you. They also support their own goals. For instance, they may want to find new ways to treat depression or improve the quality of life for people with heart disease.
Getting the funding for your research can be a bit challenging. There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to crafting an application that fits with the agency’s budget. Finding the right fit between a potential funding source for your academic grant and your research is just one of the many steps in the process of securing support for your work.
Do Proper Research
You can also ask for advice from other researchers or ask for assistance from your mentor. A visit to the research office can help you gather important information about grant-writing and other grant-procuring activities.
Don’t Put All Your Eggs In One Basket
It is best to diversify your funding options. It is in your interest to find out about grants from other professional societies and universities. If your institution doesn’t have an internal grants program, look into other sources. Doing so can help ensure your program is competitive with those of larger funders.
Put Applications In Early
Before you submit a grant proposal, identify potential grant mechanisms and gather enough time to draft a strong and complete draft. Before you submit a proposal, start gathering data and preparing a list of goals.
Getting more eyes on your proposal will help you stand out in the crowd. If you’re not careful, you could end up with a bad application. The research office can help you set a budget for all of the costs associated with your work. They can also help you identify areas where savings can be made, such as salaries and benefits.
Put Effort Into Your Proposal
A good proposal should tell a compelling story that draws attention to a particular issue or problem. Proposals should gain the reviewer’s interest and have them wanting to read more. Don’t write your proposal as a list of facts.
Just keep pitching proposals. Doing so helps hone your craft and gives you tons of practice. Even if you don’t get approved for a grant, you will get feedback from the reviewers to help you in the future.