I'd like to share a reframing of the act of asking someone (like a funder) to consider your idea. Most often, PIs go into the funding process thinking that, if my idea is good enough, someone in a position of authority will recognize it and I’ll get that sought-after funding. It's understandable if you feel that way going in. However, please consider framing this process differently.

Move from hoping for validation to advocating for your concept or idea. You know there are people out there who need that idea. They need your solution to solve their problem. Think about the end-users of a technology who may benefit from your research -- for example, those who need clean drinking water, or those suffering from a disease.

To benefit from this mindset, you do not need to think all the way through to an end-user. Maybe a funder needs an addition to their portfolio. That's a solution for a problem even if it's not as world-changing as a technical application might be. Here, instead of hoping for validation, you enter conversations with the expectation that someone will be thanking you for what you’re bringing them.

I use this approach with my own communications. When I reach out to describe what Wise Investigator offers, it’s common for me to hear a big ‘thank you.’ “Thank you for contacting me. I am dealing with a funding-related problem and seeking a solution. In fact, I didn't even know that a solution like this was out there.”

I have a responsibility to communicate what our business offers because I know we can help. If I stopped communicating, we wouldn't be able to help nearly so many PIs and I would be relying on them to stumble upon our website. Or, I might be able to reach them through referrals but that's a limited number compared to the number we can reach leveraging technology – as, e.g., with this newsletter.

There are many ways of providing information that helps audiences keep you top-of-mind and knowing that you're available to help without being a nuisance. Some ideas are:

• Think like a public health official who is not going to wait for questions about a disease outbreak. They are going to educate and inform in advance to save lives. Your research can be seen as critical information for delivery to those who may choose or need to act on it.

• Another frame is that of a post office employee. Letter carriers are not part of a decision on which mail is good enough to deliver. They're responsible only for delivering that mail. Your job is being responsible for ensuring that your idea gets to the right people rather than, before submitting, trying to guess who might like it.

• You can implement this reframe by rewriting white papers or proposals with more urgency. Don't hesitate to say things like, ‘Here's a critical problem we're facing, and here's a credible solution. Here's why it matters, and here's why I'm the right person to lead this.’ With this approach, you are thinking about your proposal as a tool for influence, not a test of worthiness.

• Another tactic is increased persistence. We know it's difficult to reach funders, but if something were really important, like the hypothetical disease outbreak, wouldn't you try again and again? You wouldn't just leave a voicemail and hope someone gets the message.

• Finally, if you actually thought lives may be at stake and you’ve got to get your message out no matter what, consider creating non-technical content related to the idea – possibly a LinkedIn post or YouTube video that advocates for it by getting people informed and generating buy-in. This could substantially increase the numbers exposed to your idea. And, there is no peer review or other approvals needed for this kind of dissemination.

Wherever you can, I encourage you to move from a passive posture to one of active advocacy in pursuit of your funding.

Uncertain how to use your time this summer?

This season has been tough for many in the research and academic world, and I wanted to share a few thoughts that might help. In this video, I talk about how to move forward with care, clarity, and connection, even when momentum feels hard to come by. If you're looking for gentle encouragement and a few practical ideas for the summer, I hope this resonates.

When you are ready, here’s how we can help

Need to get your research funded, this year? Check out our 12-week program to get you there.

Check out our storefront where you can access our free Unlocking DOD Funding for University Researchers course and other resources, including for faculty applicants.

Ready to book a call to discuss how our program can support faculty at your institution? Let’s chat!