NSF CAREER Grant Tips

Franco BasileDepartment of Chemistry

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Preliminary data…preliminary data…preliminary data

• Most important aspect of proposal– Reduce reviewer “skepticism”– Increase feasibility of project goal(s)– Best if in the form of peer-reviewed publications– Collaborations with top people in your field a plus!

What not to do…– “PowerPoint data”

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Organize your projects

Prioritize in terms of projected success and available preliminary data

• Examples:a) Detection of microorganismsb) Instrumentation developmentc) Thermal degradation of proteins

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Talk to your (future) program officer

• Pickup the phone and call him/her. Introduce yourself and your research…make them aware you exist!

• invite yourself! buy a plane ticket to DC and visit NSF (it’s their job to talk to you)

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Read reviewers’ comments and act(…and develop a thick skin)

• You must address reviewers’ comments in your next proposal

• Most reviewers are sincere and want to help you succeed

In my case…they asked for more preliminary data!

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Don’t get discouraged…

• It took me 3 trials to get the grant

questions: basile@uwyo.edu