The Federal Agency Perspective on Research

Belinda Batten, Director, NNMREC

Types of Funding Sources

• Agencies funding general research: e.g., National Science Foundation

• Mission based agencies: e.g., Department of Defense, Department of Energy, National Institutes of Health

• Private Foundations: e.g., Keck, Murdoch

National Science Foundation, www.nsf.gov

• Lots of information available about funding opportunities• Easy to find program managers• Grants Proposal Guide• Typically use panels for review

Mission Based Agencies

Agencies with an underlying mission to fulfill through research:

Air Force Office of Scientific Research:•AFOSR discovers, shapes, and champions basic science that profoundly impacts the future Air Force”

NIH Office of Extramural Research:•NIH is the nation’s medical research agency—supporting scientific studies that turn discovery into health.

What are the agencies interested in?

See their websitesWatch the research office emailsTalk with the program managerGrants.gov

Program Managers

It’s their job to fund research!

Email vs. phone call; be persistent

Personal visit

Keep in touch

Ask if it’s appropriate to attend a workshop/contractor’s meeting

Remember, their job is to fund research. You’re helping them do their job.

White Papers

What is your idea (objective)

What is your approach (methods)

What is new and/or why now?

Why should this agency and program manager care?

What’s the likely impact?

2 – 4 pages, clear, concise (less is better)

Review Processes

They vary!•NSF typically uses panels•Some agencies use individual review•Some agencies are returning reviewer comments for response!

Use reviewer feedback; don’t be afraid to resubmit

To summarize:

Think broadly about where to look for fundingMake a best friend of a program managerHave white papers on handDon’t be afraid to resubmit proposals

Belinda Batten, belinda.batten@oregonstate.edu