GRANTS: CRADLE TO GRAVE
ALUMNI CENTER BALLROOM
MAY 6, 2014
Finding Funding
Beth Hodges
Director, Office of Proposal Development
2
Today’s Discussion
 Identifying Funding Sources
 Online Demonstration of Pivot
 Tips
Identifying Funding Sources
Ways to Locate Funding
•
The Web
• Agency websites
• Databases
•
•
•
Your colleagues on campus and elsewhere
Search literature to learn where colleagues
in your area are obtaining funding
Contact program officers at agencies and
pitch ideas
At FSU….
www.research fsu.edu
Office of Proposal Development
Resources available from OPD
• Access to Funding Resources, Databases
• Access to Listserves
• Proposal Resources, Tutorials
• Workshops/Training
• Examples of Successful Proposals
• Large grant and multi-disciplinary proposal
assistance
Other Resources
• The Office of Research Newsletter
• Research Development & Grant Writing
News
FUNDING DATABASES
Why use a funding database?
• One stop searching
• Setting up searches and alerts
• Funding Opportunities=27,000+ records
• Scholarly profiles= 3.2 million profiles
• Pivot suggests funding based on Pivot
profile…and vice-versa
Live Funding Search
Applying for Funding: Tips
Current Climate
Overall, proposals are increasing and dollars are
decreasing
•
At NSF & NIH, the vast majority of proposals
are declined.
• More than half (60%) of the proposals are
rejected on the first reading because:
1. The proposal did not match the
program
2. Applicant did not follow directions
What can be done to improve my
odds?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Verify the Match
Follow the format provided by the
sponsor and all instructions exactly*
Prove the importance of your project
Pay attention to your budget
Rule of Three
Grant Application Tips: Rule of
Three
• Read the proposal thoroughly before you begin. If you are
applying for a limited submission program, find out what
the internal deadline is.
• Begin your work
- Gathering supporting documents
- Doing your Homework
- Prove the Importance of your Project
• Final Steps
- Have colleagues read your proposal
- Edit, edit, edit
- Submit in time for Internal reviews and approvals
Other considerations…
• Team Building; establishing strategic
partnerships, leveraging your expertise.
• Build relationships, respect & reputation
• Become a proposal reviewer
• Participate in seminars and conferences
• When talking to program officers
• Do not call to chat, keep comments professional
• Do not cold-call them; better to send an email first;
okay to attach a 1-2 page project summary
Finally…
Be kind to your
grants
administrators
Questions or Assistance:
Beth Hodges
FSU Office of Research
 2025 Westcott North Building
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1330
 bhodges@fsu.edu
 (850) 644-2257
QUESTIONS