📣Special Alert: We have published the second interview in our series of discussions with former program managers, officers, and directors. Scroll down for the link.
As I am drafting this newsletter, there is a chance we will face another federal government shutdown in the coming days. By the time you read this, the immediate outcome will be clearer. Either way, my message is the same: Stay the course.
I know this is easier said than done when the news cycle feels chaotic. It is okay to feel distracted or discouraged. But now the most important thing you can do for your funding goals is to keep moving forward, one step at a time.
Why this matters now
Funding activity for FY 2026 is being compressed into a smaller window than many recognize.
Yes, awards can be made all the way through September, which is the last month of the fiscal year. But a lot of funding happens well before that. When one looks at the calendar and realizes that this newsletter is landing in February, we see how quickly time moves.
You may already have seen evidence that things are picking up. You may have received news on proposal outcomes. In our work with clients, we are seeing active movement across many portfolios, including in the forms of follow-up communications, requests for responses to comments, and continued communication about proposals that were submitted months ago.
Recognize that, despite uncertainty, many federal agencies are working hard to move money out the door and into the research and programs they are intended to support.
Yes, priorities may change. No, your efforts are not wasted.
Some programs have been reduced or eliminated. None of that is trivial and I would not minimize it. But at the same time we do not have reliable indications that the overall amount of funding is collapsing relative to recent years. The most consistent signal I see is that the money is there and activity is continuing, even if the process contains more friction and uncertainty.
Which brings us back to the main point: do not let chaos push you off course.
A February focus: input goals and pipeline mindset
If you read last week’s newsletter, you may recall the concept of input goals.
Do you have input goals for February? How many funders are you going to reach out to this month? If you do not have several in mind, consider targeting at least one and committing to reach them.
Further, adopt a pipeline mindset. Keep multiple threads moving simultaneously across the full range of stages. Ideally, have activity in each of these categories:
Initial outreach to potential funders or collaborators
New concepts in development
White papers under consideration
Ideas that you are drafting into full proposals, or proposals that have been submitted and are under active consideration
The goal is to have different threads of activity so you are never dependent on a single decision and thus finding yourself starting from scratch from a decline.
If you are just getting started with outreach and do not yet have activity in the later stages, that is fine. It takes time to build a pipeline. But the only way to build one is to start. Therefore, continuous outreach is important.
Advice for two groups of PIs:
You already have proposals or white papers pending, or you are corresponding with funders.
Do not be discouraged. It can be easy to look at headlines and assume everything will freeze. But movement continues, even if timelines shift. Staying engaged, responding when asked, and continuing your outreach is the right strategy.You have been holding back because you feel uncertain, overwhelmed, or just behind.
This is your reminder to regain momentum. If you have not begun outreach this year, January is already behind us. February is a short month. Do not let another month pass without taking action.
Funders are active on email. Outreach and relationship-building matter to them. Even a simple message that starts a conversation can create insights about fit, timing and next steps. Go for it!
We will get through this, too.
The best way out is always through.
Former Program Director Interview: Getting Funded by NSF
Many faculty miss NSF opportunities before they even submit because they treat the proposal like a writing project rather than a strategic process built around early planning and telling a cohesive story. In my interview with former NSF program director Dr. Robert “Bob” Russell, he breaks down what NSF is actually looking for, why you should start six months out, and how to find the right program officer now that contact information is not easy to locate. And he shares the two simplest moves that raise your odds immediately: read the NOFO/PAPPG with precision, and send a concept paper early.
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!
