How to Win Government Grants in Tough Times: Part 1

Budgets are shrinking at all levels of government making competition for government grants intense. Now is the time to learn the essentials of a successful grant proposal and how to set yourself apart from the competition.

The federal funding landscape is in an “age of sequestration” and is likely to continue this way into the future. This means fewer dollars for existing programs and fewer competitions. Programs are likely to be combined resulting in less money available.

The initial steps in strategic grant seeking include the following:   

  • Read the RFP thoroughly to make sure you qualify.
  • Always ask: Are we competitive?
  • Don’t be afraid to make tough decisions. Can you fulfill the requirements of the grant?
  • Does the RFP align with your goals and mission? Is it a good fit for you?
  • Look at the number of grants that will be awarded. If they are numerous, you have a better chance.

Here is an RFP checklist to help you decide whether a specific grant opportunity is right for you.

Look for Part 2 of “How to Win Government Grants in Tough Times” in the October issue of the Research Bulletin.

Excerpted from The Chronicle of Philanthropy Webinar, August 13, 2013

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How Researchers Network

Researchers rely heavily on networking at conferences and seminars and make little use of personal introductions, online social networking, or proactive self-promotion, according to Straight Talking, a report published by the UK researcher development organization, Vitae.

Vitae surveyed almost 500 researchers at eight UK universities and found that less than one-fifth regularly use online social networking to develop existing work contacts or make new ones. Only 14% feel comfortable asking someone they know to introduce them to an important person in their field, and 85% rarely send copies of their work to these prominent individuals.

Excerpted from Nature Jobs Blog posted by Rachel Bowden, April 17, 2012

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Export Control Reform Is Under Way

The U.S. government will implement new export control rules in October 2013 and January 2014. UF is evaluating procedures to ensure compliance with the new regulations. For a brief discussion of the new rules, see the July/August 2013 issue of Export Controls @ UF.

This information is important for

  • faculty and lab staff who have export control projects;
  • faculty who may be considering research projects with export control requirements;
  • research administrators who process projects with export control requirements.

Why is export compliance important?

Export control violations can result in penalties and fines which may apply to an individual, the institution, or both.

Please feel free to contact Brandi Boniface (boniface@ufl.edu or 392-2369) or the Division of Research Compliance at 294-1632 with any questions regarding export controls.

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Awarded Projects for August 2013

College of Education – Awarded Projects – August 2013
Principal Investigator: Philip Poekert (Lastinger Center for Learning)
Co-PI: N/A
Funding Agency: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Project Title: Gates Foundation Algebra Nation
Project Period: 07/31/2013—06/30/2015
Award Amount: $250,000.00
Principal Investigator: Lynda Hayes (PK Yonge)
Co-PI: N/A
Funding Agency: Florida Department of Education
Project Title: IDEA Part B, Entitlement 2013-2014
Project Period: 07/01/2013—06/30/2014
Award Amount: $196,593.00
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Submitted Projects for August 2013

College of Education – Submitted Projects – August 2013
Principal Investigator: Walter Leite (SHDOSE)
Co-PI: N/A
Funding Agency: US Department of Education/IES
Proposal Title: Project INCUBATE: Interdisciplinary Curriculum for Big Data Training in Education
Requested Amount: $3,755,757.00
Principal Investigator: Pasha Antonenko (STL)
Co-PI: N/A
Funding Agency: University of Kentucky (IES Subcontract)
Proposal Title: Managing Challenging Behaviors: Virtual Environment Training for Teachers in Elementary Schools (VETTES)
Requested Amount: $443,948.00
Principal Investigator: Maureen Conroy (CEECS/SESPECS)
Co-PI: N/A
Funding Agency: Virginia Commonwealth University (IES Subcontract)
Proposal Title: Development and Validation of Treatment Integrity Measures of Classroom-based Instructional Interventions in Early Childhood Settings
Requested Amount: $179,506.00
Principal Investigator: Maureen Conroy (CEECS/SESPECS)
Co-PI: N/A
Funding Agency: Virginia Commonwealth University (IES Subcontract)
Proposal Title: BEST in CLASS—Elementary: A Preventative Classroom-based Model
Requested Amount: $297,580.00
Principal Investigator: Holly Lane (SESPECS)
Co-PI: N/A
Funding Agency: Kent State University (IES Subcontract)
Proposal Title: Exploring the Relationship Between Cell Phone Use, Social Network, and Academic Performance in Undergraduate College Students
Requested Amount: $167,840.00
Principal Investigator: Patricia Snyder (CEECS/SESPECS)
Co-PI: N/A
Funding Agency: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. (IES Subcontract)
Proposal Title: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. Subcontract with UF
Requested Amount: $222,859.00
Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Washington (STL)
Co-PI: N/A
Funding Agency: University of Central Florida (IES Subcontract)
Proposal Title: The Florida Partnership for Civic Learning
Requested Amount: $37,259.00
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