Building Better Grant Strategies Learning From Both Sides of the Funding Table – A Practitioner's View from All Sides
Introduction
Through the Funding Frontier Digest (FFD), I share insights from three decades spanning the complete funding ecosystem. My experience - writing proposals, managing programs, and evaluating submissions - has taught me that funding success depends on understanding multiple perspectives. I've created this series to help professionals see the funding process from all angles.
In my roles as researcher, program manager, and evaluator, I've witnessed how grant professionals often focus solely on proposal writing. Program managers sometimes miss policy implications. Evaluators may overlook implementation realities. I've learned that success in any role requires understanding the others.
From Lab Bench to Regional Development
My journey covers every aspect of funding. I began writing research proposals at NIST and AIST laboratories, where I learned proposal development firsthand. Later, as I moved into program management and now evaluation of Horizon Europe projects, I've seen how funding decisions really work.
As a materials science researcher (who was able to accomplish obtaining ‘zero friction coefficient’ and imaging ‘Si atoms’), I had to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse review panels. These communication skills proved invaluable when I was later involved in coordinating and managing €18m in EU education modernization projects (as one of the regional coordinators and national programme development expert) and managing $25m in regional development at Zafer Development Agency as a Secretary General.
From Technical Expert to Strategic Advisor
Throughout my career progression, each position revealed new dimensions of the funding process. Managing programs taught me why technically strong proposals sometimes fail while simpler ones succeed. My work in regional development showed me how policy priorities direct resources. Now, as an evaluator, I see how proposals must balance technical excellence with strategic alignment.
A Shift in Focus
My experience has shown me that funding success depends on understanding three distinct groups:
I began the FFD by examining proposal development, sharing insights about technology tools, budget presentations, and review strategies. Now I'm broadening our focus to examine how these groups interact, drawing from my experience in each role.
Our Journey So Far
The Grant Seeker's Perspective
I've structured this series to address real challenges I've encountered. In our Welcome Article, I established core strategies. Through AI Tools Part I and AI Tools Part II, I explored how to strengthen proposals while preserving essential human elements that I look for as an evaluator.
My experience of recently reviewing over 100 international projects has shaped Reviewer Psychology, where I share insights into assessment criteria. In Budget Narratives, I demonstrate how financial plans must connect to measurable outcomes - a lesson learned from both sides of the funding table.
Drawing from my international program work, I examined successful partnerships in Interdisciplinary Collaboration. My comparative analysis culminated in US-EU Systems and Manufacturing Programs, where I analyze major funding frameworks I've worked within.
Understanding the Complete Ecosystem
Let me share specific examples from my roles. At the EU Delegation to Turkey (2004-2006), I was involved in the co-ordination and management of the €18 million vocational education and training modernisation programme, which set new standards for teacher training. Leading Denizli's Smart City initiative (2006-2010), I saw how clear implementation plans deliver measurable results, earning Microsoft recognition as an 'e-Denizli' success story.
As Secretary General at Zafer Development Agency (2010-2013), I expanded this work by:
"Three decades across the funding ecosystem have taught me a crucial lesson: success in funding isn't just about writing better proposals—it's about understanding how policy becomes programs, how programs select projects, and how projects deliver impact."
My experience shows that each group faces distinct challenges. I've learned that:
Project Proposers must understand:
Funding Authorities control:
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Professional Intermediaries need expertise in:
These elements shape every funding decision. Grant professionals who understand these interactions develop stronger proposals. Program managers create more effective frameworks. Evaluators provide better assessments.
Lessons Learned and Value Created
Let me share the critical success factors I've identified across my roles:
1.?????? Policy-Technical Integration
2.?????? Practical Implementation Planning
3.?????? Multi-level System Navigation
4.?????? Resource Management
The Road Ahead
Drawing from my experience, future Funding Frontier Digest articles will examine two critical perspectives:
Stage 2: Inside Funding Authorities For program managers and grant professionals:
Stage 3: The Intermediary Perspective For evaluators and consultants:
"Moving between funding roles showed me that every participant in the funding process—from policy maker to project implementer—sees different pieces of the same puzzle. Only by understanding these varied perspectives can organizations turn ideas into funded realities."
Practical Value
This knowledge is intended to help the professionals:
Moving Forward
I invite you to share your funding challenges and successes through LinkedIn. Your experiences will enrich our understanding of funding dynamics. Together, we'll explore how different perspectives shape funding outcomes.
In future articles, I'll provide specific tools and techniques I've developed across my career. Join me as we navigate the complexities of the funding ecosystem.