TT4D and Researchers Looking for Government Financing $$$: Prepare and Submit Your Application
by Jeff Decker, PhD and Nilay Papila, PhD Technology Transfer for Defense, Stanford University
Following is the last article in a series about submitting proposals to obtain government financing for research projects. We’ve covered several other topics previously including: 1) Getting Defense Department Grants; 2) A 4-Step Guide to Winning Defense Department Funding; 3) How to Find Existing Research Broad Agency Announcements; 4) Anatomy of a Broad Agency Announcements; 5) Leveraging the Heilmeier Catechism: A Blueprint for Effective Project Framing, and; 6) Contacting the Program Manager and Seeking Feedback.
This series of blog posts aims at helping researchers win government research funding. Thus far, we have introduced Department of Defense (DoD) funding opportunities and the Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs), described how to find funding opportunities, and explained the steps of winning research funding by creating impactful one-pagers to develop a relationship with program managers. This post offers information on the final step involving the meticulous preparation and submission of your application. This phase is crucial and demands attention to detail to ensure your proposal aligns with the DoD’s expectations. Here are several general tips on what researchers should pay close attention to when preparing a proposal submission.
Follow DoD's Instructions: Carefully review and adhere to the specific instructions outlined by the funding agency. These instructions are usually detailed in the BAA or the other type of funding opportunity documentation. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in your application being disqualified.
Stick to Format and Structure: Respect the funding agency's prescribed format and structure for proposal submissions. This demonstrates your ability to follow guidelines and creates a professional impression. Pay attention to document length, required sections, and any specific formatting requirements.
Use Clear Language: Communicate your research proposal in a clear and concise manner. Avoid unnecessary jargon and use language that can be easily understood by a diverse audience. Clearly articulate the objectives, methods, and expected outcomes of your research.
Emphasize Significance and Originality: Highlight the significance of your research in addressing the identified issue or gap. Emphasize the originality of your approach and how it contributes to advancing knowledge in your field. Clearly articulate why your research is essential and timely. Keep in mind the Heilmeier Catechism for Effective Project Framing.
Align your Research Goals with Funding Agency’s Goals: Clearly demonstrate how your research aligns with the goals and priorities of the funding agency, specifically the DoD. Illustrate the relevance of your project to their mission and objectives, increasing the likelihood of your proposal being favorably considered.
Emphasize Impact and Dissemination: Clearly articulate the potential impact of your research and how the outcomes will be disseminated. Discuss plans for sharing results within the academic community, with stakeholders, and in broader public forums. Demonstrate a commitment to maximizing the reach and influence of your research.
Showcase Research Plan Quality: Provide a detailed and well-thought-out research plan. Outline the methodology, timeline, and milestones of your project using Gantt charts. Clearly indicate how you intend to achieve the proposed outcomes and address any potential challenges.
Highlight Team Qualifications: Showcase the qualifications and expertise of your research team. Emphasize the skills and experience that make your team well-suited to undertake the proposed project. This adds credibility to your application and instills confidence in the reviewers.
Following the guidance offered in each of the seven posts in the series will make certain your proposal is technically sound and communicates your research project's value to the funding agency. Following these tips in this post will ensure your proposal meets the DoD’s expectations thereby increasing your proposal’s chance of success.