30 Helpful Tips for Preparing a Visit with a Funding Agency
The questions below might be helpful to prepare for a visit with a funding agency as you pursue external funding. We hope you will have a successful visit!
- Which Request for Proposals (RFP) is in focus?
- Do you have a previously denied proposal that you will be revising for the current RFP?
- What funding have you already applied for?
- What are the funding agency’s current funding priorities?
- What has the funding agency already funded for previous versions of this RFP?
- What is the timeline/deadline for submission of required documents (e.g., Letter of Interest (LOI), preproposal, full proposal)?
- Have you identified the right division and program officer(s) to visit?
- Have you made any contact (e.g., email, phone call) with the program officer(s)?
- Have you made an appointment with the program officer(s)?
- Who are your collaborators? Will they be on the visit with you?
- Are there any reports aligned with the RFP that the funding agency has highlighted?
- What potential ideas are a fit for the RFP?
- What potential ideas that are a fit for the RFP and are aligned with your research?
- Have you constructed a concept paper to share with the program officer?
- Have you spoken to the program officer to inquire about sending the concept paper in advance of the visit?
- What is the “on the ground impact” of your research?
- Are you prepared to explain your discipline/research/field?
- Are you confident in the aim (e.g., feasibility, exploratory, intervention, measurement) of the project?
- Can you translate your research language into language that speaks to the funding agency?
- Have you identified relevant training that could strengthen your grant writing and related skills?
- Does the application of the research stand out?
- What thinking have you given to scaffolding or expanding your research?
- Is the outcome of your scholarship a product that can be patented?
- Have you identified a business entity with which you can collaborate?
- What university resources are available (See boilerplate)?
- What are the interdisciplinary elements of your scholarship?
- What is your “elevator speech” for the project?
- What are the salient problems that are creating the most conflict in the settings or populations you are interested in?
- Does your school director or associate dean for research know that you are visiting the funding agency?
- How can you help the funding agency (e.g., be a reviewer)
Notes
- “Program officer” is being used generally to refer to whomever you might meet at the funding agency.
- “Funding agency” is being used generally to refer to all types of entities (e.g., local, state, federal, private foundations, private donors).
