Grants & Sponsored Research
at Methodist University
Wendy Hustwit
Grants and Sponsored Research Officer
whustwit@Methodist.edu
X7103
Trustees 216A
Grant Funding
“In good times and bad, we know that
people give because you meet needs, not
because you have needs.”
-Kay
Sprinkel Grace, author and philanthropist
Grants vs. Donations
Grants
Funds for which grantor expects
something in return (reports,
evidence, results)
Donations
No or low expectations for
something in return
A set period to achieve
objectives and spend funds
No set period in which funds
must be spent
Penalties for failure to comply
(give money back, no repeat
grants)
No penalties for noncompliance
Funds awarded through
competitive process
Why Grant Funding?
To carry out important projects that benefit students,
faculty, and community, i.e., meeting needs.
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Test tools and strategies to improve student learning
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Perform research on student learning and/or scientific
questions
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Jump-start a worthy, but unfunded, experimental
project that has potential for meaningful impact on
students, professors, science, other.
Office of Grants and Sponsored Research
Central repository for all grant applications and awards on campus
VP Planning and
Evaluation
VP Advancement
and University
Relations
Coordinator
Planning &
Evaluation
Institutional
Research &
Effectiveness
Grants &
Sponsored
Research
Office of Grants and Sponsored Research
Central repository for all grant applications and awards on campus
GSR assists in the pre-award stage:
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Consults with Project Lead on departmental needs
Researches and identifies funders
Fosters relationship between Project Lead and Funder
Facilitates Grant Team meetings to develop proposal
Assists with drafting proposal/application
Distributes proposal for final review and signatures
Submits final proposal on behalf of Project Lead
GSR assists in the post-award stage
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Assist Project Lead in financial and programmatic reporting
Helps coordinate financial and administrative support if
necessary
Office of Grants and Sponsored Research
Central repository for all grant applications and awards on campus
GSR also offers professional development opportunities
 Basic grant seeking
 Discipline-specific grant opportunities
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STEM
Humanities
Student Services
Specific topics on grant seeking
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Developing your Statement of Need
Others
Typical Grant Team Members
Subject
Matter
Experts
Institutional
Advancement
Business
Office
Project
Lead &
Grant
Writer
External
Partners
Admin
Support (HR,
Facilities,
Student Life)
Institutional
Research
Institutional
Review
Board
(if nec.)
Typical Proposal Workflow
Project Lead consults with Grant Writer FIRST
about an idea and/or prospective funder. The
university may already be working on a project
that could affect or be affected by your idea.
Research funders and learn their
request guidelines.
Identify/recruit Grant Team
Develop & Refine
Project and
Proposal
Submit
Proposal!
Common Proposal Format
I.
Introduction
Who we are and why we’re unique (deserving)
II.
Need Statement
The issue(s) affecting students and evidence to back it up
III.
Goals & Objectives
Our plan to address issues and why it will work
IV.
Methods
Clear steps to achieve plan (staff, training, equipment, etc)
V.
Evaluation
How we measure the success of our plan
VI.
Sustainability
How we will continue success after grant period
VII.
Budget & Budget Narrative
Line item description of costs to carry out our plan
After Submission

Notification in 2-6 months
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Look for additional funders to submit similar
plan/proposal
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May be able to implement some things without
funding anyway
We Got the Grant!
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Thank You Letter and Celebrate
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Consult with funder again (and again, and again)
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Start Your Plan!
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Stick to the reporting schedule
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Stay in contact with the funder
Or, We Didn’t Get the Grant
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This happens often, don’t be discouraged. You still
have a well thought-out, written plan for your
project.
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Ask funder for feedback on your proposal
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Tweak some (or a lot) and re-apply next year
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Find other sources and tweak as needed for their
guidelines
Finding STEM Funding
STEM Grants.com http://stemgrants.com/category/university-grant-opportunities/
National Science Foundation – www.nsf.gov
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Improving Undergraduate STEM Education
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S-STEM (scholarships for low-income, disadvantaged students
Google RISE Awards (Computer Science)
https://www.google.com/edu/resources/programs/google-rise-awards/index.html#/!overview
Duke Energy Foundation – STEM education, mostly k-12
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation – STEM research
Simons Foundation
NC GlaxoSmithKline Foundation http://www.ncgskfoundation.org/index.html
Lab equipment and supply companies
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Vernier http://www.vernier.com/grants/nsta/
Brainstorming
Funders want topical and important projects that have the potential
to produce far-reaching results or evidence. DISCUSS!
What kind of projects . . .
• Are topical?
• Are important (for science, for student success, etc.)?
• Will produce results (evidence, enrollment, retention, etc.)?
And also . . .
• align with MU’s Strategic Plan?
• are feasible/achievable within the next year or so?
. . . if we just had a some funds to help with equipment,
training, staffing, stipends, books, training, etc.