IRTL Grants & Fellowships Workshop Series

Part I: Introduction to Grants & Fellowships

Institute for Research on Teaching and Learning

Doctoral Student Research Support

September 2015

Qiana Green

greenqia@msu.edu

Doctoral Student

Higher, Adult & Lifelong Education

Graduate Assistant

Institute for Research on Teaching & Learning

Audience members…

Introductions

1. Learn about grants.

Learning Objectives

1. Learn about grants & grant writing in general.

2. Explore dissertation grant opportunities.

3. Understand funding opportunities.

4. Identify resources to find appropriate funding and refine grant applications.

Learning Objectives

1. IRTL

2. Grants & Fellowship Basics

3. Grant Components

4. Finding Funders / Resources

5. Funding Opportunities Overview

6. Q&A

Today’s Plan

Institute for Research on Teaching & Learning

IRTL supports doctoral students in the College of Education by enhancing their knowledge of funding opportunities and grant writing.

We are available to discuss funding opportunities; assist in conceptualizing, writing, and revising a grant proposal; or assist in preparing a competitive budget request.

http://education.msu.edu/irtl/grad

What is IRTL?

• Workshops, sessions for groups and classes• Overview of grants & fellowships; Grant proposal

writing; Budget development; RCR; and more!

• One-on-one consultation• in person, over the phone, Skype/FaceTime, email

• Web resources (http://education.msu.edu/irtl/grad/)• Sample proposals, budgets, timelines, resources

• Monthly newsletters (sign up on our website)• Announcements, workshops, resources, funding

opportunities

• Facebook updates (facebook.com/MSUIRTL)

What does IRTL do?

IRTL

Grant & Fellowship Basics

Grant Components

Finding Funders & Resources

Funding Opportunities Overview

Q&A

• To focus on research and/or writing

• To advance knowledge in your field

• National recognition and prestige

• A lifetime professional network

• Professional development opportunities

• To demonstrate your ability to win grants for academic job applications

Doctoral student grants & fellowships can allow you:

• Grants can be used for training, travel, work buy-outs, supplies, hourly staff, tuition, graduate assistantships.

• Funds can be used to complete a dissertation or conduct small research projects.

• Funding agencies exist to advance research and/or practice within an area.

• Foundations are required to spend their funds.

• Start small, “earn” your way up to larger awards.

What role can grants (or other external funds) play in my career?

A little

planning

An exciting

idea

A support

network

• If you’re seeking funding for your dissertation, you will do or have already done (most of) the work.

• Grant writing skills are valued no matter your role.

• Turning your idea into a competitive grant proposal takes:

Why not?

Your opportunity should match with these four areas:

Money

research funding is available

Eligibility

you’re ready and meet

requirements

Fit

your research interests

connect with funder

Time

a competitive proposal can be written in the time available

Internal Funding

• Your department / college / program / organization

• Research entities on campus (grant administration, other departments)

• Institution-wide opportunities

External Funding

• Databases

• Regional foundations

• Professional organizations & associations

• Government entities

Money… is there research funding available?

IRTL’s Focus

Early Stage

Funds tuition and fees, as

well as a stipend for living for

early doctoral students

Pre-Dissertation

Funds research

and experiences

that aid research, such as travel,

language study, and supplies

Dissertation

Funds research and experiences that aid research, such as language

study, travel, supplies, facility

use, and/or stipend for living after the defense

of the dissertation proposal to completion

Analysis & Write-Up

Funds tuition and

fees, stipend for living

expenses to concentrate mostly or only on

writing and completing

the dissertation

Postdoctoral

Funds opportunities

toward the development

of an academic

career

Eligibility …are you ready?

Think one step ahead!

• Citizenship?

• Comprehensive exams and/or coursework complete? Degree obtained?

• Dissertation proposal defense complete?

• Full-time employee vs. faculty member vs. student?

• Faculty advisor’s “OK”

• Pilot program complete? Collaboration in place?

Eligibility…do you meet the sponsor’s requirements?

Many sponsors have websites with helpful information:

• What are the sponsor’s goals and priorities? What have they funded in the past?

• What is their program focus?population? method? Issue?

• Who can I contact for informationfor assistance, guidance, or advice?

• What are the review criteria?

• Do they have sample proposals?

Fit…does your project match the funder’s goals and priorities?

• Start early.

• Assess your timeline.

• When will you complete doctoral program requirements? collect data? conduct analysis? write up?

• Can you continue operations until funding would be received?

• Do you have time to complete the application?

• How long does it take for a decision? When will the funds become available?

• Can you reapply?

Time... can a competitive proposal be written in the time available?

• Work on and develop your research topic and ideas

• Talk with faculty members about existing grant and funding opportunities

• Utilize College of Education fellowship process (spring)

• CoEd Summer Research Fellowships (late fall)

• CoEd Summer Research Renewable Fellowships (2 years, late fall)

• CoEd Summer Research Development Fellowships (1st year students only; January)

• Utilize departmental professional development funds, COGS grants

Preparing for External Funding – Years 1-2

• Coming to an end in courses and have narrowed down topics to one or two potential dissertation ideas.

• 1-2 years from dissertation proposal.

• Begin exploring funding options.

• Consider what you might need funding for (e.g., data collection) and what point in the dissertation process you will need that funding.

• Continue conversations with faculty members about opportunities.

• CoEd fellowship process (spring)

• Identify possible funders and opportunities to catch in next year.

• Utilize departmental professional development funds, COGS grants.

Preparing for External Funding – Years 2-3

• Most dissertation funding proposal due dates are approximately 6 months to 1 year prior to dispersion of funds. Plan ahead within your own work to time application process.

• Work on and submit proposals approximately 6 months prior to the due date. Prioritize good quality. Get advisor on board.

• For international research projects, begin working on funding proposals 6 months to a year prior to the due date (e.g, affiliation letters, courses, language evaluations).

• During data collection/practicum, apply for Research Practicum/Research Development Fellowship (mid fall).

• When nearing completion, consider CoEd Dissertation Completion Fellowship (late fall).

• Utilize departmental professional development funds, COGS grants.

Preparing for External Funding – Years 3-5+

• International Research: Preparing proposals for international research funding is likely to take more time due to the requirements, begin early. Consider enrolling in fall seminar – International Social Science Research (1-3 cr.)

• Working students: Students who work fulltime should be aware that many of the larger are only for fulltime students. Be sure to explore whether or not this is a requirement when searching for grants.

• International Students: Some grants are only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents (e.g., government grants—NSF, Fulbright, NIH). Be sure to explore whether or not this is a requirement when searching for grants.

Preparing for External Funding – Notes

IRTL

Grants for Individuals

Grant Components

Finding Funders & Resources

Funding Opportunities Overview

Q&A

“There is no amount of grantsmanship that will turn a bad idea into a good one, but there are many ways to disguise a good one.”

William Raubformer Deputy Director, NIH

• Title

• Project summary / Abstract

• Narrative

• Bibliography

• Support materials

• Biographical narrative

• Letters of recommendation

• Budget

Typical grant components

What makes a grant proposal successful?

• start early

• contact with funding sponsor

• research matches funding announcement

• aligned with priorities of sponsor

• written with the review process in mind

• captures reviewers’ attention

• well-organized, engaging language

• clear focus

• follows the instructions precisely

• applicant seeks outside review before submitting

• compelling idea that advances the science

• not too ambitious or unrealistic

• no typos, grammatical errors

• reasonable and accurate budget

• submitted on time

• Keep in mind that the reviewers may not be in your same discipline / functional area.

• Write clearly in a way that is accessible to non-academics.

• Grab their attention right away – title, intro sentence, etc..

• Websites may provide information on past/current reviewers. Use this knowledge to inform your writing.

Reviewers

• Talk to colleagues about any past experiences as reviewers.

• What did they look for?

• What impressed them?

• What were basic mistakes they saw?

• How did they evaluate proposals with others from different specializations?

• If possible, take advantage of opportunities to serve as a reviewer for grants, awards, etc. within your field.

Reviewers

Create Your Support Network

You

Colleagues & Classmates

Friends & Family

Research Administration Staff

Advisor, Committee & Faculty

IRTL

Grants for Individuals

Grant Components

Finding Funders & Resources

Funding Opportunities Overview

Q&A

• It’s never too early or too late to start searching, but you will need to cut through the clutter and be a “smart searcher”

• To be successful, you will need to:

Finding funders

Search in the right places

Know relevant agencies

Learn grant cycles

Start local.

• Talk to faculty members, people on campus with similar interests, supervisors, colleagues, those who work in grant-funded programs.

• Talk with your librarians.

• MSU Libraries, Jon Harrison

• http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/index.htm

• Grant Advisor newsletter

• http://er.lib.msu.edu/location.cfm?location=WWW

Search in the right places

Consider any on-campus funding search resources.

• College of Education fellowships

• http://education.msu.edu/resources/financial/fellowships.asp

• The Graduate School

• http://grad.msu.edu/funding/

• International Social Science Research Seminar• http://grad.msu.edu/funding/docs/ISSR_Fall_2014.pdf

Search in the right places

IRTL Resources

• Instantly search IRTL selected funding opportunities on

the IRTL website (update coming soon – filterable!).

• Videos, slideshows, sample materials

• Planning stage, budgeting, writing information

• Subscribe to the IRTL monthly funding alert newsletter.

• http://education.msu.edu/irtl/grad/Subscribe.asp

• Like our Facebook page for other updates through the month

Search in the right places

Other people of interest may include:• Grant administrators• Statisticians or those in charge of databases• Budget staff• Development/Fundraising/Advancement staff• Outreach office• Technology staff (data management, resources,

etc.)• Focus on community organizations or other

entities located in your area.• Network responsibly.

Search in the right places

Databases.

• Foundation Center http://www.foundationcenter.org

• Foundation Directory Online Professional *MSU Library

• Foundation Grants to Individuals Online *MSU Library

• Foundation Directory Free **NEW** http://fdo.foundationcenter.org

• GrantSelect, GuideStar *MSUNetID required

• http://er.lib.msu.edu/location.cfm?location=WWW

Search in the right places

Government databases & agencies

• Government databases (e.g. grants.gov)

• Government agencies (NSF, NIH, etc..)

• http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/federal.htm

• State governments (michigan.gov)

• http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/state.htm

Know relevant agencies

Know relevant agencies

Links to specific orgs are in the Notes for this slide

Sept: APA, AERA,

FullbrightIIE, NSF Oct: Spencer,

IRA, NSF

Nov: AAUW, SSRC, IRA, Ford, Wenner-Gren, ETS, AERA MDF, NSF GRFP,

Soros

Dec: AAUW, Boren, ETS

Jan: AERA, APA, NSF, SSRC, FLAS

Feb: ETS, NSF, KCP

Mar: WARC, Tinker

Apr: NSF, NIJ

May: Wenner-Gren

June: Fulbright DDRA

July: AIR

Aug: NSF, NCAA

• Grants and other funding sources typically follow a regular cycle.

• Plan ahead so you can prepare your materials on time, rather than waiting (perhaps a year) until the next deadline.

Learn grant cycles

Fall

Spring

Summer

Funds may be out there … we just need to hunt for them.

IRTL

Grants for Individuals

Grant Components

Finding Funders / Resources

Funding Opportunities Overview

Q&A

• Summer Research Fellowships• ~20, $6,000, full-time support, no classes

• Summer Research Renewable Fellowships• 8-10, $6,000 each of two summers, full-time support, no classes

• Summer Research Development Fellowships• ~15, $5,000, first year students only, no classes

• Research Practicum/Research Development Fellowship• For advanced doctoral students, develop your own budget

• Dissertation Completion Fellowships• ~20, $6,000, max of ¼ time assistantship, complete Ph.D. during

funding period

• Professional Development Fellowships

• Annual competition for endowed scholarships/fellowships

College of Education Opportunities

• Departmental professional development funds• varies by department, may be renewable

• Bailey Scholars• http://www.bsp.msu.edu

• RCAH Graduate Fellows• http://rcah.msu.edu/people/graduate-fellows

• IIT / James Madison• http://grad.msu.edu/iit/

• COGS Professional Development funds

• Up to $300 available once during your time at MSU, lottery

• COGS Travel funds

• Up to $300 available once during your time at MSU, lottery

MSU Funding Opportunities

• TIAA-CREF Ruth Simms Hamilton Graduate Merit Fellowship

• MSU Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships

• King-Chavez-Parks Future Faculty Fellowship Program at MSU

• Tinker Field Research Grant

• Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS)

Scholarship for Undergraduate and Graduate Study Abroad

* Consider non-monetary support options as well

MSU Funding Opportunities

Consider non-monetary support options as well:

• Office space

• Parking permit approval/sponsorship

• Copying

• Printing

• Telephone

• Physical storage space

• Account management

• Equipment (computer, video, audio, transcription)

Non-Monetary Support

• AERA Dissertation Grants• Fulbright Programs• National Academy of Education / Spencer

Dissertation Award• Woodrow Wilson Doctoral Dissertation

Fellowship in Women’s Studies• SSSP Dissertation Grant Awards• Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Completion

Fellowship• Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship Program for

New Americans• NSF Dissertation Research Improvement

Grants• IRA Grants• NACADA Academic Advising Research

Support Grant• Wenner-Gren Dissertation Fieldwork Grants• AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship

Program in Education Research• SSRC Mellon International Dissertation

Research Fellowship (IDRF)

• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

• American Association of University Women Dissertation Fellowships

• Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship

• Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowships• NASPA Awards• ACPA Awards• AERA Awards• ASHE Awards• NSEP David L. Boren Graduate Fellowships• AAUW International Fellowships• Doris Duke Fellowships for the Promotion

of Child Well-Being• ETS Harold Gullksen Psychometric Research

Fellowship• AIR Dissertation Grants

External Funding Opportunities

• What do you want to fund?

• Where can you find funding?

• Who can be part of your support network?

• What related skills do you already possess?

• What is your next step?

Moving forward …

• Keep an eye out for additional workshops in this Grants and Fellowships series:• Budgets

• Citation Management

• International Research & Funding

• Preparing a grant proposal

• We are always excited for• Workshop topic ideas

• Web and newsletter content suggestions

• New award information

• Updates on your grant/fellowship applications

• Corrections on typos, spelling, and grammar.

Upcoming events

IRTL Doctoral Student Research Support• http://education.msu.edu/irtl/grad/

IRTL facebook page• https://www.facebook.com/MSUIRTL

MSU Reference Librarian Jon Harrison’s Grant Resources• http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/

MSU College of Education – Fellowships & Scholarships• http://education.msu.edu/resources/financial/

MSU Libraries – MSUNetID–available resources• http://er.lib.msu.edu/location.cfm?location=WWW

MSU The Graduate School – Funding• http://grad.msu.edu/funding/

International Social Science Research Seminar Resources List 2014• http://grad.msu.edu/funding/docs/ISSR_Fall_2014.pdf

Main links from presentation

Institute for Research on Teaching and Learning2nd Floor, Erickson Hallhttp://education.msu.edu/irtl/gradhttps://www.facebook.com/MSUIRTLhttp://education.msu.edu/irtl/grad/Subscribe.asp

Bob Floden, Director, floden@msu.edu

Marcy Wallace, Associate Director, wallacem@msu.edu

Qiana Green, Graduate Assistant, greenqia@msu.edu(201C Erickson Hall)

IRTL – Doctoral Student Research Support

IRTL

Grants for Individuals

Grant Components

Finding Funders & Resources

Funding Opportunities Overview

Q&A