Finding Funding for Your Research

GCRC WorkshopAugust 17, 2007Lynne HutchisonManager, Research Grant DevelopmentVUMC Office of Research

Workshop goals:1. Take the mystery out of finding funding resources

2. Create a roadmap for your search

3. Learn to access internal resources

4. Learn to access external resources

Life’s a mystery… finding funding is not If you can use the Internet, you can find funding

resources

There’s no special talent or insider knowledge required

Ask for help if you need it

That’s what colleagues are for!

Create a roadmap for your search

Step 1: WHERE are you (in your career)?

• Funding sources will vary depending on career level

Roadmap: Where are you?

• Postdocs need to look at: Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) – NIH

http://grants1.nih.gov/training/nrsa.htm

NIH Fellowship Funding http://grants1.nih.gov/training/F_files_nrsa.htm

• Early career investigators need to look at: NIH K (Career Development) Awards:

http://grants1.nih.gov/training/careerdevelopmentawards.htm

New Investigator Resources http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators/index.htm

Various Private Foundation Awardshttp://www.vanderbilt.edu/oor/funding/restricted.php

Step 2: WHERE do you want to go?

Goal: To find funding for your area of research.

To achieve goal, you must think of EVERY POSSIBLE ROUTE to that goal.

In this case, SEARCH TERMS are your routes.

Example: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)…

For PTSD, search under:• Neuroscience & Brain

• Mental Health & Behavior

• Violence/Trauma/Disaster

• Drug/Alcohol Abuse/Addiction

• High-risk occupation/military

• Domestic Violence

• Depression/Anxiety

• Suicide

• WHAT ELSE????

Step 3: WHO can get you there?

Think outside the box! (The box being NIH)

WHO has a stake in your research?

Example: PTSD • Dept. of Defense• Social service/welfare agencies (state/fed)• Mental health agencies & associations• Foundations that address any of your search terms

(e.g., domestic violence, family services, brain disorders, etc.)

Access internal resources…

Office of Research web site: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/oor/funding/index.php• Discovery Grants, VPSD, P&F Funding• Awards: Restricted & Unrestricted

BRET Career Development Office http://bret.mc.vanderbilt.edu/career_development/html/funding.htm

Corporate & Foundation Relations http://corporate.vanderbilt.edu/howcontact.htm

Faculty advisors/mentors/peers

Access external resources: Government

The big dog: NIH http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html

The bigger (but less obedient dog): Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/applicants/find_grant_opportunities.jsp

The whole (annoying) zoo: ResearchResearch http://lite.researchresearch.com/getPage.cfm?pagename=SWFOpsbyDisc&lang=SW&type=FundingOpp

Sign up for listservs

At NIH: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/listserv.htm

At Grants.gov: http://www.grants.gov/search/subscribeAdvanced.do

Access external resources: Private

Best place to start: VUMC OOR http://www.vanderbilt.edu/oor/funding/unrestricted.php

Collection of resources: The Foundation Center

http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/individuals/

Other media: Wall Street Journal, New York Times &

What top researchers recommend

Network! Attend professional conferences

Form alliances with VUMC research powerhouses: imaging, pharmacology, VICC

Search NIH Funding Opportunities page

Talk to NIH Program Officers