What are the best strategies for securing external funding in your field?

1 Know your goals and priorities

Before you start looking for funding sources, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your research and teaching. What are your short-term and long-term goals? What are the main questions or problems that you want to address? How will your work benefit your field, your institution, and your community? Having a clear vision of your goals and priorities will help you narrow down your search and focus on the most relevant and feasible funding opportunities.

2 Identify potential funders

Once you have defined your goals and priorities, you need to identify the potential funders that match your interests and needs. There are many types of external funding sources, such as federal agencies, foundations, corporations, associations, and international organizations. Each funder has its own mission, criteria, and expectations, so you need to do your homework and research the funder's background, goals, priorities, and funding history. You can use online databases, newsletters, websites, and networks to find and track funding opportunities in your field.

3 Develop a strong proposal

After you have found a suitable funding opportunity, you need to develop a strong proposal that showcases your expertise, innovation, and impact. A proposal typically consists of several components, such as an abstract, a narrative, a budget, a timeline, and a bibliography. Each component should be clear, concise, and coherent, and should follow the funder's guidelines and requirements. You should also demonstrate how your project aligns with the funder's mission and goals, and how it will advance the knowledge and practice in your field.

4 Seek feedback and support

Writing a proposal can be a challenging and time-consuming process, so you should not do it alone. You should seek feedback and support from your colleagues, mentors, peers, and experts in your field. They can help you improve your proposal, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and anticipate potential questions or challenges. You should also consult with your institution's grant office, which can provide you with resources, advice, and assistance in preparing and submitting your proposal.

5 Follow up and report

After you have submitted your proposal, you should follow up with the funder and acknowledge their receipt of your application. You should also be prepared to answer any questions or requests that they may have, and to revise or resubmit your proposal if necessary. If you are awarded the grant, you should thank the funder and comply with their reporting and evaluation requirements. You should also communicate your results and outcomes to your field, your institution, and your community, and acknowledge the funder's support in your publications and presentations.