The 2024 Olympic games are underway in Paris. Whether or not we follow the events closely, we all appreciate what it takes athletes to get there. These athletes are the top performers, and for a period of time, politics are largely put aside to celebrate human drive and recording-breaking accomplishments.

When I think of Olympic athletes, I can’t help but feel immensely grateful that, every single day, I get to work with my own Olympians. That is, you all.

Most weeks, I use this space to encourage PIs to take the next steps to grow in their careers. However, it’s worth taking a step back to consider just how far you’ve come.

Let’s consider three ways you are like an Olympian:

1. Olympians are top performers in specialized areas on the world stage. It’s a long and arduous journey to be accepted to and complete a STEM graduate program. From there, securing a faculty position is even more challenging. Many hopefuls are left behind. If you’ve gotten there, it’s largely because you’ve contributed significant new knowledge to the global scientific community. And, you will continue to do so throughout your career. No one else can do what you do.

2. Olympians push boundaries to achieve things that have been thought of as impossible. Most people are familiar with the story of Roger Bannister who, in 1954, ran a sub-4-minute mile — something that was thought to be physically impossible for a human. In the year following, other athletes also ran sub-4-minute miles. So, it was physically possible all along, but the other athletes needed to know that before they could do it. The parallels to discovery are clear. The new knowledge you create makes the impossible possible and will enable treatments and technologies that will change lives.

3. Olympians inspire those they mentor and those they will never meet. Countless young people are inspired by Olympians as the games are broadcast around the world. Similarly, you serve as an inspiration, not just to your mentees but to students more broadly. Whether it’s performing outreach at a local school, a student seeing themselves in you in a local news story on your research, or a trip back to your hometown, your accomplishments inspire our next generation.

Olympians work really hard to get where they are. They also have had coaches all along the way. Unfortunately, faculty don’t have that level of support. Still, you can take advantage of what support you can to help you fine-tune your skills and advance your capabilities. You’ve earned it!

My top 5 tips for early-career PIs who need research funding

Reflecting on my time working with clients over the last year and half, I offer 5 recommendations for early-career university researchers who need to get their research funded. These recs are related to the following topics:

1. Time management & proposal deadlines

2. Expectations for contacting and hearing back from program officers

3. Pressure to submit proposals you don't expect will be funded

4. Getting support with the research funding process ASAP

5. How you view yourself as an early-career PI

I dive into each on these in this video. Check it out:

Workshop for New Faculty & Researchers

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 24-25th .

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!