academic research funding

FLINDERS INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC POLICY AND MANAGEMENT

Peer Support Grant Writing Workshop

Why Apply for Funding? Developing your Research Ideas

Gerry [email protected]

Academic Research Funding.....

Why do institutions make it available?

- To support research excellence

- To support international competitiveness

- To support particular policy / research agendas

- To support academics who wish to engage in academic research


On what basis do institutions make it available?

- Originality – makes a new contribution

- Significance to policy or institutional aims

- Feasibility – it looks like it can be done

- Proposer’s track record


Why would you want to apply for it?


Why would you want to apply for it?- Getting a grant is an indicator of academic standing

does failing to get a grant diminish your standing?


Why would you want to apply for it?- Getting a grant is an indicator of academic standing

does failing to get a grant diminish your standing?

- You have an idea that you think could make an original contribution (how do you know?)

your experience in the field

your knowledge of the literature

what your colleagues tell you

feedback at conferences, seminars, etc.


What are the disadvantages of applying?

- Time consuming

- Low success rates

- Failure is depressing

Academic Research Funding.....What are the disadvantages of applying?- Time consuming

- Low success rates

- Failure is depressing

On the other hand....

- The process of writing is creative (ideas get better)

- You can circulate a draft among colleagues (you can’t circulate vague ideas in the same way)

- A good proposal could be the basis for an academic paper

- Chances of success improve with each iteration


So how do you develop your research ideas?


So how do you develop your research ideas?

1. Engage in random conversations with colleagues2. Use insights from course materials that you teach3. Talk with policymakers & practitioners – where to they identify

gaps in knowledge?4. Conferences, workshops & seminars (you often get hints,

especially if you present...)5. Write your ideas down – pass them around6. Find a collaborator (similar research interests; complementary skills &

knowledge; research record; contacts) commitment


First steps- Formulate your idea as a question- Do a Google Scholar search (who’s looked at related issues?)- Write a one page draft

- Single research question- How is it original?- Why would anyone be interested?- Is it feasible to research?- Data and methods

- Circulate to friends, colleagues & relevant policymakers- Get other people involved!- Get advice on most appropriate funding sources

- Expand as needed


Work on your own or in a team?- On your own

- You stay firmly in control- You set deadlines, etc.- Fewer organisational hassles- Traditional social science method- You get all the credit

- In a team- Two (or more) brains can be better than one- Support & motivation- Complementary skills and track records (or hitching a ride with an

experienced researcher)- Mixture of academic and practitioner experience- (but organisationally, it can be a hassle....).


Work on your own or in a team?- Or, work on your own project in a teamwork setting

- Buddy up with others who are also writing their proposals- Make commitments- Meet regularly, friendly criticism - Expect clarity (only general knowledge assumed)


What if you’re unsuccessful?- You don’t get it finished in time

- There will be a next round. Good ideas do not go out of date- You probably managed to get a lot of work done, even if you did not get to

submit

- Your proposal didn’t get up- You are far advanced from where you were when you started- Start planning for the next round- Read reviewer comments carefully- Ask friends & colleagues for advice- Re-affirm interest of policymakers

academic research funding

Documents

research ideas gerry

indicator of academic

vague ideas

creative ideas

process of writing

policymakers practitioners

workshops seminars

original contribution