Crafting a Fundable Research Project: Tips and Tools for Success
Learn how to shape your great idea into a fundable project with expert advice from Dorothy Warner, Director of Sponsored and Student Research. Find out key points on fitting funders' preferences, assessing fit, and setting scope and focus. Discover essential tools to help you develop a compelling project proposal and secure funding for your research endeavors.
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Presentation Transcript
SHAPING YOUR GREAT IDEA INTO A FUNDABLE PROJECT DOROTHY WARNER, DIRECTOR OFFICE OF SPONSORED AND STUDENT RESEARCH 2023 - 2024
GET STARTED! DRAFT IDEA WITH ALTERNATIVES TALK WITH PEOPLE START ASSEMBLING YOUR TEAM IDENTIFY POTENTIAL FUNDERS WHAT THEY FUND, HOW MUCH THEY PROVIDE, DEADLINES, ETC. 2
KEY POINTS 1. FITTHE FUNDER S PREFERENCES AND REQUIREMENTS 2. SCOPE AND FOCUS 3. IMPACT OF YOUR PROJECT 3
FINDING THE FIT ITS ABOUT THEM AS MUCH AS IT S ABOUT YOU FUNDERS FUND WHAT THEY WANT TO FUND IT S THEIR MONEY LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT THEIR PRIORITIES SHOW HOW YOUR PROJECT FITS THEIR PREFERENCES AND PRIORITIES SHOW HOW YOUR GRANT WILL BE A GOOD INVESTMENT TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS 4
TIPS TO HELP YOU ASSESS FIT REVIEW PAST SUCCESSFUL GRANTS USE THE FUNDER S STRUCTURE AS A GUIDE PRACTICE WITH PAST GRANT SOLICITATIONS ASK OTHERS TO COMMENT ON YOUR DRAFTS PERSUADE BUT DON T FORCE THE FIT 5
SCOPE AND FOCUS DON T OVERPROMISE STAY FOCUSED ON YOUR SPECIFIC PROJECT REVIEWERS JUDGE - REASONABLE AND REALISTIC FUNDERS WANT TO KNOW THAT THEIR MONEY WILL BE WELL SPENT 6
THINK ABOUT YOUR IDEA IN PARTS WHAT ARE YOU PROPOSING TO DO? HOW WILL YOU DO IT? WHO WILL DO IT? HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE? HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? 7
TOOLS TO SET SCOPE AND FOCUS WORK PLAN (ESPECIALLY FOR LARGE AND/OR MULTI-YEAR PROJECTS) LOGIC MODEL (SHOWS PROCESS AND CLARIFIES PROJECT COMPONENTS) RESOURCES/INPUTS, ACTIVITIES/ACTIONS, OUTPUTS, OUTCOMES, IMPACT SMART GOALS SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE, ACHIEVABLE, RELEVANT/REASONABLE, TIME- BOUND/TIMELY SWOT ANALYSIS (GOOD FOR PROGRAMS) STRATEGIC THINKING ABOUT STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES, THREATS PLAY 20 QUESTIONS/ANTICIPATE OBJECTIONS ASK SOMEONE TO CHALLENGE YOU KISS PRINCIPLE(KEEP IT SIMPLE) CAN YOU EXPLAIN IT TO A 3-YEAR-OLD? IN A 30-SECOND ELEVATOR SPEECH? 8
IMPACT MAKING A DIFFERENCE WHAT GAP IN KNOWLEDGE DOES YOUR PROJECT ADDRESS HOW WILL YOUR PROJECT IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING? WHAT PROBLEM DOES YOUR PROJECT ADDRESS/SOLVE? WHAT IMPACT WILL YOUR PROJECT HAVE ON PEOPLE S LIVES? WHY SHOULD THE FUNDER CARE? 9
BEST PRACTICES FOR SUCCESS USE YOUR TEAM AND OTHER RESOURCES PLAN AHEAD, START EARLY, REVISE/REFINE KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE AND TAILOR YOUR APPROACH EXPERTISE IS NECESSARY BUT NOT SUFFICIENT LET YOUR PASSION AND ENTHUSIASM SHINE 10
SHAPING RESOURCES THE OFFICE OF SPONSORED AND STUDENT RESEARCH IS HERE TO HELP! DOROTHY.WARNER1@VALPO.EDU ASB 216, EXT. 5798 HTTPS://WWW.VALPO.EDU/SPONSORED-AND-STUDENT-RESEARCH/ 11
