Let’s address “short-turnaround” funding opportunities. Today's environment is highly dynamic and we should expect to see these requests, perhaps more so than in the past.

What qualifies as a short-turnaround opportunity? There is no strict definition and the answer will depend on what’s required by the application. If the request is for, say, $10,000 or so, two or three weeks for a proposal could be considered reasonable. For a request of $100,000+, I would consider six weeks to be short. So, the expected budget amount is the primary driver of lead time.

Two ways to interpret a short-turnaround announcement:

One would be that the organization already has a winner in mind. Generally, this is not allowed but recipients may have the impression that it is. Something similar happens occasionally with applications for employment. There may be a preferred candidate but the organization is required to post the job. The idea is that fewer people will be able to apply to compete with that preferred candidate, simplifying the process. Bottom line: you may have the feeling that the competition will not be as open or fair as possible.

The second interpretation is that the organization needs to move quickly with currently available funds. Here, if one produces a strong proposal meeting the short due date, they may have a better chance at success since the short deadline prevented some or many others from submitting.

My advice is that you must reach out to someone at the funding organization to learn what's going on. There are probably things they will be able to tell you without violating confidentiality. They may have information they would like to share with PIs that did not make it into the formal announcement. Ask why the opportunity has such a short turnaround. There’s a good chance you will learn something that informs your decision.

With as much information as possible in hand, you will be facing decision over putting in the effort to apply. On the one hand, if you think you've got a better chance at being selected than normally, it can make sense to adjust your plans for the next few weeks to produce a proposal. However, it can also be the right decision not to disrupt your plans and to pass on the opportunity, especially if you don't feel you fully understand why it is short-turnaround.

Overall, I would not automatically be suspicious of short-turnaround announcements because there are good reasons why they can happen in today's environment. The key is, preferably, to get someone knowledgeable on the phone and ask for context. Again, having built those relationships before they’re needed will make it more likely that when you see the announcement you have a name and telephone number to call and you will be able to make an informed decision.

How to connect this summer for future funding success

In this video, I expand on exactly who you might want to connect with this summer. These reach outs can be casual and low-stress. A robust network and strong relationships will support you no matter what the second half of 2025 looks like.

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!