Navigating Research FundingCynthia SagersOffice of the Vice Provost for Research and Economic DevelopmentUA

Finding funding

• Develop your idea

• Identify a funding source

• Prepare a proposal

• Submit to granting agency

• Manage your opportunity

Finding funding

• Identify a funding source

• Develop your idea

• Prepare a proposal

• Submit to granting agency

• Manage your opportunity

Finding funding

• Identify a funding source

• Develop your idea

• Prepare a proposal

• Submit to granting agency

• Manage your opportunity

All funding agencies have rules governing how money is awarded and spent.

The rules must be transparent.

The rules must be followed.

Sometimes the rules change.

nsf.gov

Rules for each competition are published in a solicitation (aka RFA, RFP, program announcement).

nsf.govSolicitation

nsf.govSolicitation

nsf.govSolicitation

nsf.govSolicitation

Includes description of proposal elementsproject summarytable of contentsproject descriptionbudget budget justificationbiographical sketch(es)current and pending supportfacilities and other resourcesconflicts of interest (COIs)

nsf.govSolicitation

Additional proposal elementsdata management planpost-doc mentoring plansupplementary documents

letters of commitmentrelevant permitspermission to use research facilities/sites

nsf.govSolicitation

Merit review criteria1) intellectual merit2) broader impacts

Additional review criteriaprogram-specific elements

nsf.gov

Solicitation may reference additional rules: Proposal and Awards Policy Procedure Guide – PAPPG

Updates to solicitation may be posted in a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL)

When should you contact your program officer:

When you are thoroughly familiar with the solicitation(s)When you are prepared to discuss details of your projectWhen you have adequate time to respond to the POs comments

Why should you contact a program officer:

If you are uncertain that your project is a good fit with the program, or the agency

If you have concerns that your project is too large or too smallIf your project is multi-, or inter-disciplinary If your project has an international component If you are from an EPSCoR state

Funding trends in NSF DEB

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012Year

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

Pro

ject

s

5

10

15

20

25

30

Success (%)

proposals

success rate

awards

Number of proposals submitted to DEB has nearly doubled while the number of funded awards has remained relatively unchanged.

Proposal success rates are approaching single digits

Thanks!Cynthia SagersADMN 205

csagers@uark.edu