Here’s something big you have in common with program officers: You all love to talk about research ideas. Use that to your advantage in your communications with prospective funders.

In conversations with decision-makers who may fund your work, you want research to be the driver of a conversation. That may sound obvious, so what’s the thing that can get in the way of that?

It's talking about specific programs before it's clear that you and the funder have a common interest in the research area. This is like asking for marriage before you’ve been on a first date!

In conversations with funders, you will be in a much stronger position when you lead with a research topic, assess the funder’s interest and then, if appropriate, work together to figure out how it can be supported.

For example, if you are an early-career PI speaking to an ONR program officer, you can lead the conversation with research. Then, once interest has been demonstrated, ask if the idea might be good, for example, for the Young Investigator Program (YIP). If it might, the program officer can review eligibility criteria with you and quite possibly take it from there themself.

Months later, if you find that the YIP was not supported, talk to the program officer about other ways to move it forward. This may mean scoping it down and funding via a ‘core’ program.

Alternatively, you can engage a program officer with an ‘I-want-a-YIP approach.’ While this is not really detrimental since program officers generally understand the pressure PIs are under for these awards, it still doesn’t leave you with much to work with should the YIP not be an option.

As a program manager, I saw this focus on a particular opportunity play out with programs restricted to Minority-Serving Institutions and institutions in DEPSCoR (Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) states. It’s understandable to assume that if there are limited institutions that can apply for something, your chances of getting it may be better than otherwise. Unfortunately, that is only rarely the case.

When I led DEPSCoR for the Army, I participated in DEPSCoR Days, which were (and still are) held quarterly in different regions. Much discussion, both on the sides of the government and the institutions, was on a specific opportunity that was open only to PIs from DEPSCoR states.

However, PIs in DEPSCoR states are also eligible for all the ‘regular’ funding opportunities many, if not most, of which have higher success rates and greater flexibility than a DEPSCoR opportunity. I have always tried to emphasize that PIs should use the day to learn about the broad range of DOD funding opportunities, rather than fixating on just one program.

Of course, there are administrative topics that must be covered in conversations with program officers. There are places and times when getting straight to the point with one is the best approach. An example would be directly asking a program director if your proposed research is a good fit for NSF CAREER.

If you have no specific time-sensitive administrative questions that must be answered, I suggest you try this: Instead of asking ‘How can I get this award?’ encourage the funder’s interest in the research. Then work jointly to find the best way to have it supported.

Advice for your International Students

International students in North America face a unique set of challenges, especially as related to securing employment and growing careers after graduation. If you have been an international student yourself, you understand. This week, I’m sharing an Inside Higher Ed opinion piece co-authored by Wise Investigator team member Ms. Merab Mushfiq, Ensuring International Students’ Career Success. Merab provides recommendations for how students can grow their abilities in networking, soft skills, and communication. What I especially value about these recommendations is how they leverage today’s tools and technology. Links to resources students can use are also provided. Check it out and please consider forwarding it on to students who could benefit!

Coming Next Week: DOD Funding Course

Next week’s newsletter will be on the DOD Funding Course which I will publish on June 9^th . This is a comprehensive video course that covers the following topics:

1. Why Consider DOD Funding

2. The DOD Approach to Funding

3. DOD Funding Organizations

4. DOD Programs

5. How to Search for DOD Funding

6. How to Learn what DOD has Funded

7. Connecting with People at DOD

8. Taking the Next Steps

The course is free; it only requires entering your email address to access it. The provided email address will be added to my newsletter list, but don’t worry, current newsletter subscribers will still receive just one ‘copy’ each week. 🙂 

To celebrate getting this course out there and the start of summer, I’m doing something I’ve never done before and offering a limited number of (paid) one-on-one meetings to consult with PIs on funding-related questions.

I’m not a fan of quick-fix approaches to funding, but I also recognize the value in mixing things up and testing new ways to help PIs access the resources and support they need.

If this is something you are interested in, please sign up soon because on June 11^th I will announce the course and meeting availability on LinkedIn. I’ll provide this information again in the June 9^th newsletter, but I won’t send any email reminders.

Registration Now Open 🥳 

For the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) PI Intensive for New Faculty and Researchers: Building the Tools for Your Career in Research

This day-and-a-half workshop will take place in Chicago on October 24-25^th .

We will dive into topics such as

✔️ Understanding the responsibilities of a principal investigator
✔️ Developing competitive grant applications
✔️ Negotiating effectively with your institution
✔️ Employing project management approaches in research

I am co-leading this event. Please see this page for more information and to register. Note that this is an SRAI (not a Wise Investigator) event.

It would be wonderful to meet some newsletter subscribers in person in Chicago. Please send me an email ([email protected]) if you have any questions. 👋 

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

Need to get your research funded, this year? Check out our 10-week program to get you there.

Want a done-for-you website that highlights your research impact? Let us do that for you. (We even write all the content for you!)

Ready to book a call to discuss our training, websites, or to have Dr. Barzyk provide training at your institution? Let’s chat!