Getting the research funding outcomes you want

We hear a lot about reacting versus responding, especially in terms of handling conflict or stressful situations. However, both reacting and responding imply that something is acting upon you. In the research funding process, it’s useful to think about initiating versus responding. When you initiate, you act upon something.

Here’re some examples of responding activities:

• Accepting an invitation to review a proposal

• Emailing a point of contact in an announcement with a question because a deadline is approaching

• Submitting your headshot and some figures from your research when you receive a request

And here are some initiated activities:

• Offering to serve as an evaluator for a program you would like to learn more about

• Reaching out to a government scientist or engineer to learn about their research without a funding opportunity identified

• Creating a social media account or YouTube channel to showcase your lab’s work

So what are the benefits of initiating actions in research funding?

1. You increase the surface area for good things to happen for you. When you are responding, you’re usually dealing with those with whom you already have a relationship or who are in your network. When you initiate, you engage new people or expand the nature of relationships you have.

2. You set yourself apart from the majority who didn’t reach out or take the steps you did. It’s a great way to put yourself in the top 10% of performers, just by taking an action, regardless of what comes from it.

3. It pushes you out of your comfort zone and into new challenges. You’ll desensitize somewhat to asking for things so that when you hear a no, you’ll brush it right off.

Asking for an opportunity can be scary, but it’s worth it. You may find yourself resisting taking certain actions. I discuss this in the video linked below. The most important thing to ask yourself related to resisting is this: If you proceed as you have been and don’t take any new actions, how likely is it that you will get an outcome different from what you are currently getting?

Are you resisting taking certain actions?

It’s worth thinking about why we aren’t taking the actions we plan to. It’s possible that there’s a psychologic resistance. In this video, I discuss some reasons why this resistance happens and what you can do about it.

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!