Page 11 - Dare to Make an Impact

steps become clear: Bit by bit, bite off small chunks of that larger project by writing small grant proposals. A series of small awards will not definitively achieve your aims, but they will show that each of your aims is feasible and achievable. This approach is critical, as grant review panels often see a large grant as the culmination of a growing body
of work progressing from modest seed grants to larger awards, in a cumulative fashion.
Tip 3. Analyze strengths and weaknesses. Ask yourself (or an objective colleague) to identify areas of research strength, and how to highlight them. Also identify your areas of weakness. This could be a small publication record, limited statistical skills, or lack of a collaborator or a community resource. If you are deficient in some areas, these are things that may take a year or two to develop, and must be tackled first, or in parallel, by pursuing smaller pots of grant funding.
Likewise, examine your time commitments. Do you have a heavy teaching load that limits your ability to write grant proposals? Start small. Plan to join an existing team or do a smaller pilot study, or write manuscripts from your doctoral data collection, rather than jumping into a large grant writing venture. Conversely, if you have a great start-up package and all the equipment you need, and some protected time to do research, you may be itching to write an R01 proposal. If so, go for it.
Analyze your institutional resources. Is there a limited pool of funded mentors in your area of interest? Then you may be better off pursuing a different mechanism than one that requires substantial mentoring and training (such as the NIH K Award). Is there a large pool of undergraduates? Then perhaps you should pursue funding that blends research with education. Your available resources will dictate what you are able to pursue, so analyze these well. Speak with knowledgeable staff in the Division of Research or senior colleagues within your department or college.
Tip 4. Seek Feedback. Meet periodically with your department chair or research dean. Ask if you are expected to secure external funding early in your career, or if publications are more important. How is funding counted in the promotion and tenure process in your department?
Are certain types of grants or funders more highly valued than others? Revise your strategic plan based on unexpected developments, departmental feedback or changes in your interests.
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