Tips from experience for research funding

September 12, 2008

Tips for research funding

1. Prepare the proposal only for a novel, new, innovative project. Never go for duplication of what has been already done. Do exhaustive search about existing studies in the area chosen. All funding agencies cross check this first since now net search reveals everything. Never try to fool the funding agencies.

2. Use simple English in your project proposal, which is comprehensible and understandable. Do not use long, complex, indirect sentences. Do not use high tech jargon, abbreviations, and superlatives. Make the proposal apt, to the point and brief. Do not make it a legal application!

3. Funding flows easily for projects which are aimed for welfare of mankind, doing good to the population, benefit people at large and help the community. Interventional projects are preferred rather than mere surveys for funding. Projects which will benefit the marginalized are preferred for funding. Projects related to common diseases, problems are preferred.

4. Repeatedly question yourself if you really need the funding for the project or you can do it on your own. If expenditure involved is affordable to your pocket, it is advisable to do the project on your own. Self reliance is always best.

5. Read the instructions of funding agency. Stick to these. Always breakdown the budget in various heads like consumables and non-consumables. Never ask for machines, instruments, computers if the same are not permissible. Asking funding for furniture, air conditioner, refrigerator, generator and such items should not be ideally done unless it is a long drawn field project in some peripheral area where new facility has to be created. Be honest and truthful.

6. Do not add unnecessary budgetary heads to inflate the proposal. The sanctioning authorities are trained people and find it out fast and then the proposal will be rejected. Do not be greedy.

7. Confide in a helpful, experienced peer who knows how to prepare a proposal. Accept the peer's advice. It is good to be smart by bad to be over smart.

8. Pay strongest attention to the justification part. It should convince the sponsor/ donor/funding agency beyond doubt about the real need of funding.

9. Always be ethical and include ethical considerations in the project proposal. Remember the cardinal ethical principles through out life:

Anything that you do must benefit the people

Nothing should be against the interest of the people, harm them

Principles of natural justice

Non-discrimination

Autonomy to the people

Respect for the people

For proposals of clinical trials, always get the projects cleared from ethics committee and attach EC clearance document / certificate with the proposal. For animal studies similar clearance from animal EC is required.

10. Always remember that funding is needed by you, is your demand and not your right. The funding agency has the choice to give you or reject. The language of proposal should not be begging but also should not be arrogant. The PI/CI must accept the accountability in the proposal.

11. Time line: Always give the time schedule of the project. Evaluators prefer Gantt chart.

12. Flow Diagram: Apart from theoretical exposition always include a flow diagram about the project.

13. Do chase the funding application. It is your right. But never try to influence the sanctioning authorities by pressurizing them. It is not appreciated and may be counterproductive.

14. Bibliography: Should include references from only standard publications and preferably of last five years.

Get started. I have got the funding so many times. You follow the tips and you will also get it. Well begun is half done. You started learning it on NetRUM, have been told how to go about it, so half done. Now you are at an advantage over others who were not fortunate enough to know all this. Perfect practice will ensure that guru gud rah gaya - chela shakkar ho gaya! Good luck.

These tips are from my experience and not from any publication.

Dr Vijay Thawani

>> Dear Dr Anupama,> > You have rightly said that we are lucky to get guidance from Thawani sir. Whatever sir have learnt from his experiences and have by virtue of his own personality, gives us and trains us on many fronts. This training will be of help in long run.> > About the current topic, I myself have not involved in any project related to the funding and hence not gone through any tedious procedures. But while working with Thawani sir have seen how patiently he manages his own work and procedures for funding. We have seen many minor points have to be followed i.e. all the particulars of expenditures right from stationery to food (this is in context with two workshops sponsored by WHO and ICMR) and quality of work definitely.....> > Now what we are gaining is theoretical knowledge and working under wings of guidance and hope when out will be utilising this to the fullest extent. Websites of ICMR, DST (Department of Science & Technology), DBT (Department of Biotechnology), DMER (Department of Medical Education and Research, Maharashtra), WHO might give the useful information about funding available for the research purpose.> > I think Darwin's theory of evolution "Fittest survive" holds true in the field of research also.> > Regards,> Dr. Smita Mali> GMC, Nagpur.> > > Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now, on http://help./l/in//mail/mail/tools/tools-08.html/>

September 12, 2008

Dear Sir,

Now I understand the loopholes in my application for funding. These tips are indeed useful. All of us should take a print of them in mind and also save a soft and hard copy for future applications.

Thanks Sir

-Anupama

From: Vijay <drvijaythawani@...>Subject: Tips from experience for research fundingnetrum Date: Saturday, 13 September, 2008, 9:14 AM