Understanding Research Funding: Sources, Application Process, and Proposal Tips

1. How research is funded Jake Blanchard – University of Wisconsin – August 2007

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

3. Who funds research? • Federal Government • Corporations • Foundations

4. Federal • 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. NSF • 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. NIH • 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. Energy • 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. Foundations • 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. Industry funding • 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. Writing a Proposal • 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. Why are proposals rejected? • 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. Tips • 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. What happens next? • 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 Good luck