The future will be created by big-picture thinkers like scientists and academics who have innovative theories for change and out-of-this-world ideas. However, creating and testing theories requires a significant amount of research and significant financial outlays. Academic research is important, but it may also be highly expensive. Fortunately, many research grants, scholarships, and fellowships are available; now, you just need to find them (Vincent and Chiwandire, 2019).
Scholarships and fellowships are given to individuals based on academic merit or financial need, whereas grants are given to individuals or organizations. There are various types of grants, each with its own set of eligibility requirements, standards, and deadlines.
10 Ways to Get Funding for Academic Research
Finding financing for your research is difficult, time-consuming, and significant. Applying for grants that best suit your goals, the needs of your team, and your research background is one way to boost your chances of success (bestassignmentwriter, 2019).
Learn grant writing skills as soon as possible
Even if grant writing isn’t on your agenda, it’s always worth having some early experience. You can ask to examine the draft of the work being done in your office as an observer if you are a Ph.D. student or early postdoc. That way, you can continue learning about the process before attempting to write a grant proposal. You can also get help from Dissertation Proposal Example to write your grant proposal effectively.
It’s never too early to start thinking about funding; even during your doctorate, there are funding opportunities for travel grants, equipment, public engagement initiatives, and more. It demonstrates your ability to find funding and provides valuable experience before going on to writing more significant, more sophisticated grant proposals.
Determine what you require the money for
Decide what you most need the money for: your own time, travel to conduct archival research or fieldwork or hold a workshop to get professionals together to develop a piece of research. Investigate possible funding organizations that provide grants or fellowships that support what you need the money for, carefully reading the applicable guideline notes to avoid wasting your time and the funding body. Discuss your ideas with appropriate people, such as from the university’s research office or research support.
Consult with coworkers who have applied to the same organization
Talk to individuals at your institution who have previously received funding from the organization you are applying to. For example, different organizations have different emphases and objectives, so there are variations in how you should pitch to them, whether Cancer Research UK or the Medical Research Council. Hence, it’s worth learning about that first.
Stay focused and avoid jargon.
Common mistakes made by candidates include failing to read and answer the questions given, as well as being overly optimistic about what can be achieved within the timeframe of an award. Typically, you will have less space than you would like, so it is important to concentrate on what is truly significant about your proposed research and be explicit about how you intend to do it. Write positively and confidently, without jargon, and with enthusiasm about what you plan to do and why you are the perfect person, with the ideal combination of skills and experience, to make it a success.
Discuss your interdisciplinary proposal with your partner
If you are applying for an interdisciplinary project and will be working with a partner from another discipline, you must ensure that the partnership is authentic. You must be intellectually interested in what each other is working on, which will be evident to reviewers. If you meet someone you think you might want to collaborate with, take your time developing an idea and organizing an application. Something cannot be put together in a quick meeting over a cup of coffee.
Request that people outside of academics view your application
At the panel stage, your application will not be reviewed by experts in your field. Having friends and family review your proposal allows them to ask questions others may not have considered. People in your department can conduct a sense check and consider whether it is possible in research.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
You can always contact the funder; in fact, you can get the funding callers via email. This manner, any doubts you have regarding the feasibility of your idea can be addressed. Read the manual: research councils will have rules about font size and spacing that need to be followed early on.
If you are rejected, try again
The main piece of advice is to keep trying. Many people do not resubmit applications when they can. However, responding to reviewer suggestions can add value to a proposal, and some applications are funded after being modified. Being rejected does not necessarily mean that your proposal is unfundable. It’s possible that you need to make changes or that there wasn’t enough money available in the round you were in this time.
Don’t just send it again; respond to feedback and try again. It can be discouraging if you have put in a lot of effort but take it as a learning experience, and they only fund some things; there is a 20% success rate, so you should expect some rejection.
Always use your right to respond
People don’t take the right to reply seriously enough when it comes to the humanities, where you have the opportunity before making final decisions. It is genuinely part of the application; If they ask questions, you can answer them and explain your responses. You can highlight anything encouraging they say. Its opportunities.
Conclusion
Researchers regularly find applying for grants complex, but resources and ways are available to you to make the process easier. It’s important to keep in mind that rejection happens to even known and seasoned researchers; therefore, it’s essential not to let it discourage you. If you get stuck, look at this grant writing infographic for some extra motivation, just like when you are stuck in writing your dissertation process. Get cheap dissertation writing services to overcome your stress and keep you motivated.
Reference
Vincent, L. and Chiwandire, D., 2019. Funding and inclusion in higher education institutions for students with disabilities. African journal of disability, 8(1), pp.1-12.
Baw, 2019. Five ways to determine qualitative research methods for your topic. Online available at < https://bestassignmentwriter.co.uk/blog/5-ways-to-determine-qualitative-researchmethods-for-your-topic/> [Accessed Date: 6-sep-2019]