I suspect this conversation happens regularly: Grant proposal writer: I am writing a grant and I have to write an outreach section. Any tips on what I should put in? Writer’s colleague: You do a ton with the camps and departmental programming, so just list all of the stuff you do over the summer, and …read more
Posts in Author: Beth Keithly
Visiting A Program Director This Fall? Your Texas Driver’s License May Not Be Enough Identification.
Starting on October 10, 2016, federal agencies will not accept Texas driver’s licenses to access their offices. So, you are going to visit a program director’s office, military base, or federal lab this fall, you will need another form of identification to gain access. This is because October 10, 2016 is the day Texas falls …read more
Young Investigator Programs for Early Career Researchers
As most people will tell you, relationships are key to getting Department of Defense (DoD) funding. So, how do you build these relationships when you are new to research, funding, and your entire career? It turns out, the DoD has something to help in the form of their early career research program known as a …read more
The Importance of Simple Writing
I had one of my favorite conversations recently. A faculty member walked up to me and said he had recently landed a grant from a new (to him) sponsor, in part, he believed because he had worked so hard on his writing. “Too often, you think that the scientific value will speak for itself even …read more
The Importance of Logistics
On the advice of several good friends, I started The Flash, a show about the DC Comics superhero by that name. My friends were right; it is a fun show. But, I want to reflect on one thing about the show’s first season that made me crazy and how you can make sure you don’t …read more
Federal Funding Opportunities for New and Young Faculty
A quick search of research opportunities for new faculty/investigators in the grant searching database Pivot yielded 6,544 results. That is a lot of opportunities and they vary in sponsor types (federal government, private institutions, and professional societies), areas of research, and practically every other area in which they can vary. So, the good news is …read more
Catastrotunity: Using Rejected Proposals For Good
There are very few things I am willing to guarantee. However, if you submit grant proposals, you will get rejected. It is going to happen. I guarantee it. When it happens, it is going to be upsetting. Because you have spent a lot of time putting together a grant proposal for a project that is …read more
NIH Announces Changes to Their Grant Application Rules
National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released their new grant application policies and instructions for due dates on or after May 25, 2016. The changes focus on the following areas: Rigor and transparency in research grant applications (including small business and complex research grant applications) – NOT-OD-16-011 and NOT-OD-16-012 Applicants must use the new “Authentication of Key Biological …read more
Limited Submissions Due this Summer
Below are some of the limited submissions with internal deadlines in late May into early August. To be considered for these opportunities, please send a letter of intent (LOI) to Beth Keithly by the internal deadline. The LOI for any internal limited submission needs to be a one page document (it may be a bit longer …read more
Hello, I’d Like Some Funding: Writing Your Grant Introduction
Hello, I’d Like Some Funding: Writing Your Grant Introduction You’ve heard the expression, “You do not get a second chance to make a first impression.” The same thing is absolutely true for proposal writing. Getting the project description introduction right is key to keeping your readers’ attention. The trick to writing a good introduction is …read more