We started this series with a simple premise: In 2026, Information is a commodity. Access to information is rarely a limiting factor. What matters is what you do with it.
We next focused on Context because context is what determines which information is relevant to you and which is noise. Last week, we moved to Execution because Information and Context matter only when they lead to Action and Outcomes.
Here we discuss Time Management. In 2026, the biggest constraint is often time. The question is not whether opportunities exist; the question is which opportunities deserve your time. And there is one overarching principle to keep in mind:
Do the least amount of work needed to get a reaction that tells you whether or not to invest more of your time.
In today’s funding environment it is easy to spend large amounts of time working towards a submission before you have any real signal. Many PIs do this regularly: They lock themselves away for a weekend to draft something substantial, only to realize later that the opportunity was not a fit, or the framing was not competitive, or the sponsor was looking for something different.
Compare that with a more efficient approach. If you can get a Yes or No reaction to an idea from a short email, that is an excellent use of your time. If a few sentences can prompt a useful response from a program officer, a potential collaborator, or a knowledgeable colleague, then that reaction becomes data. It tells you whether you should invest more time in pursuit of the opportunity.
Moving up from an email, the next smallest step is often drafting a one-pager or longer white paper. In fact, sometimes that is a required step. White papers are generally good investments if you anticipate receiving a meaningful response. While I cannot advise on individual situations, it is often only after you have received a positive response to a white paper (or similar) that you should begin writing a full proposal.
When you work this way you will see that constructing a 12-month proposal submission plan can box you in and keep you from pursuing some good-fit opportunities. Very often, a better approach is to be more opportunistic. That is, track which opportunities you may pursue over the next 12-18 months but keep your plan flexible based on the reactions your ideas receive in real time.
Think of it as casting a net. Put out more feelers early, using small investments of your time and see where they get traction:
Where do you get the bites?
Where do you get encouragement?
Where do you get confirmation that your idea is aligned, timely, and potentially competitive?
Where do you get early No’s that save you false hope and lost time?
Once you have this “signal,” you can become seriously intentional about where you put your time.
There is a major difference between spending a weekend on a proposal after you have received substantive feedback on a strong concept versus spending that same weekend on an opportunity about which you have spoken to nobody and received no response to your ideas. The first situation is an informed investment. The second is often a gamble.
This is the time management strategy you should remember: Small bets first, bigger bets after you have a signal.
Also, there is an important concept that complements this approach: Input Goals.
Many researchers set outcome goals. For example, “I want to win a grant this year.” That can be a fine goal. The challenge is that the result depends on many factors outside of your control. An Input Goal would be to send two funding-related outreach emails per week.
Input Goals work because they are small, sustainable, and cumulative. They keep you out of the waiting state. They also create more opportunities for feedback and signals, both of which help you make better decisions about where to invest deeper work.
In summary, time management in 2026 is not about doing more. It is about doing less earlier, to learn more quickly: about earning clarity before you commit major time; about being intentional with your attention and choosing investments that have the best likelihood for success.
At the right moment, you will still need to invest real time. A quality proposal requires focus, care, and much time. The goal is to make sure you are investing that time in opportunities that have earned your attention.
Most of what we say and do is not necessary, and its omission would save both time and trouble.
Three mistakes that stop PIs from getting funded
Are you making mistakes that could be holding you back from getting funded? In this video, I break down three common pitfalls PIs face—from waiting for funders to tell you what to do, to relying only on your close network, to over-focusing on proposal writing—and share practical solutions to overcome them. Check it out!
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.
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