October 13, 2009: Mount Royal University Tips & Trips of Research Funding.

October 13, 2009: Mount Royal University

Tips & Trips of Research Funding

• About Funders• Finding a Funder• Talking with a Funder• Writing an Application• Understanding the Review Process• Some Specific Funding Opportunities• Sample Grant

Agenda

• Many funders receive their funds from Gov’t.

• What does this mean for applicants?• They need to fund a certain number of

applications/year• They have set mandates• They have specific areas of interest each year• They have deliverables as well, based on what

they fund• They want you to apply, be successful, and

complete a project on time• They worry that you won’t!

About Funders

1. Start with those you know.▪ Often links to other funders on websites ▪ www.research4children.com

2. Talk to others with similar interests.▪ Were they successful? Where did they apply?

3. Learn about the differences. ▪ Peer-Reviewed Grants vs. Contracts vs. Private Funding

4. Call the agency.

Finding a Funder How To

Finding a Funding OpportunityHow To

Make Sure It’s A Good Fit

• Websites• Vision & Mission statements• Grant Categories• Scope: Currently/Previously Funded Projects • Eligibility for Funding

Finding Answers

▪ Make sure you look online first▪ Call or Email

Still Unsure? Call Them

Important Tips▪ Be detailed▪ But be concise (45% rule)▪ Complete all sections▪ Follow instructions (Understand the Instructions!)▪ Attach all documents/appendices (Use Appendices)▪ Meet the deadline

▪ Leave enough time for signatures▪ Ask about late policies

▪ Proofread

Completing Your Application How To

Sections of the Proposal Although relationships are important in CBR, so are

methods. While it is important to have a theoretical framework,

make sure to spend lots of time talking about what you will do and how you will do it.

▪ Grants are competitive; reviewers need to see that you have an idea of how you will approach the research project

Allocate your space based on the importance of each section

Proposal Writing How To

Rationale Convince me that it is worth the $

Research QuestionsUse measurable language, be objective

MethodsRecruitment, Sample Size, Bias, Prevalence of ConditionTheoretical FrameworkStudy DesignRandomization, Group AllocationData Collection, Participant BurdenData Analysis (specifics)Link to Research Questions

Proposal Writing How To

Review Forms:Generally Available online: Find them!

Considerations-Find out what the reviewers are looking for-Tell them exactly what they need to know! -Make it easy for them to find the information-Make sure you meet all the criteria

-Read between the lines! -

Proposal Writing How To

Eligible and Ineligible Expenses:

Expenditures Things to Remember

• Hospitality and entertainment expenses;• Education-related expenses;• Indirect costs or organizational overhead costs;• Personal costs to the researcher;• Expenses related to professional activities;• Stipend or salary support for team members with

academic affiliations;• Discretionary severance and separation packages;• Any expenses unrelated to the outlined research

study; &• Expenses that have no significant research

component.

Peer Reviewed Process What is it?

Grant Lifecycle•Receive

•Review for completeness (Application Decisions)

•Select Peer Review

•Reviewers Read and Assess Applications

•Reviewers Meet & Discuss Reviews

•Recommendation to Board

•Board Approval

•Notify Applicant

Common Trips What to Avoid

What ‘not’ to do!•Opinion vs. Fact statements

•Limited literature reviews

•Lack of citations

•Justifying your qualitative methodology- we get it!

•Spending too much time on team- we have your CV!

•Spelling Errors

•Forgetting that this is competitive

•Ignoring feedback at the LOI stage

•Rushing- 6-8 months!

•Telling us you will do something, why isn’t it already done?

•Being lenient with instructions- if you cannot follow instructions, why should I think you can do a whole study?

 • Alberta Centre for Child, Family, & Community

Research• Canadian Health Services Research Foundation• Canadian Institute for Health Information• Canadian Institutes of Health Research• Institute of Aboriginal Peoples‘ Health• Institute of Infection and Immunity • Institute of Population and Public Health

• Laidlaw Foundation • Ontario HIV Treatment Network • Public Health Agency of Canada • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council• United Way• Vancouver Foundation • Wellesley Institute

Some Funding Agencies