Building a successful record
Begin with small, local sources of funding
Many university campuses offer funding to new faculty members to help them establish themselves as researchers. These funds are often referred to as “seed monies” used to explore a larger project or conduct a pilot project that will establish the need for a larger study or a connection to existing work by other researchers. In the California State University system these funding sources take several forms. One example is the University Professional Development Grants funded by California lottery monies and available to fund a wide range of projects. Another example is grants specific to a particular initiative such as the Social Justice and Equity Project RFP offered through a center dedicated to Social Justice on the CSU San Marcos campus. Browse the links below to explore more examples of local sources of funding through departments and campuses. Find out what local resources are available to faculty on your campus.
Take advantage of campus research / sponsored programs offices
Each college campus typically has an office dedicated to supporting efforts of campus personnel to find funding for their research. The role of the staff is to locate funding sources and connect them to appropriate potential applicants on the campus, support the application process, ensure regulatory compliance, assist in grant management, and address intellectual property issues. The office is responsible for institutional approval of all grant proposals and contracts relating to sponsored research, instruction, and service agreements. At the CSU, the Chancellor’s Office website provides links to all of the offices at the 23 CSU campuses. New faculty members should seek out the Office of Research on their campus, before beginning a grant procurement process to take advantage of the array of support available.
Regional, national and international resources
When evaluating faculty for tenure, peer review committees generally look for a pattern of grant application and procurement that builds in scope, depth and dollar amount over time. After success with local applications, and evidence of good grant management, faculty members increase their chances at larger awards. Look to professional organizations, foundations, corporations and businesses. Look for collaborators within your department, across departments, or with colleagues at other campuses to strengthen your proposals. As your record of applying and being funded grows, so will your confidence to compete for larger more complex awards.
Go beyond what is expected
Begin by engaging in thorough, ethical, complete and professional research strategies, even on the smallest of projects, in order to set a foundation for a reputation as a reliable and high caliber researcher. Go beyond what is expected so that your application will stand out in the pile received by a granting agency. Excellence is always a critical component of a grant application, but it is particularly important for the first few projects in order to establish an outstanding record of achievement.
Report all findings in multiple venues
In order to join the larger conversation in a field of study, the results of even the smallest study need to enter the dialogue frequently and in multiple ways and places. This reporting out is a commonly under-completed aspect of the research process. Sometimes new faculty members think others may not be interested in their findings, or already understand what they have learned, other times schedules get in the way of getting the findings out. Whatever the circumstance, the most effective researchers are those who bring their work into as many informal and formal conversations as possible. In this way your ideas enter into the larger understanding in the field. Being part of the larger community discussion about a research topic is a sign of an accomplished researcher.
Becoming an Accomplished Researcher
What Makes a Good Researcher?
Lin, B. (October, 2002). UBC Reports, Vol. 48, No. 12. University of British Columbia
This series of quotes from accomplished researchers offers insights into the qualities of a good researcher.
Three Qualities of a Good Researcher
Salloum, I. (2007). 4researchers.org, sponsored by SBIR contracts from the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Health and Human Services
This video posting suggests that enthusiasm, perseverance, and staying informed are vital characteristics of a successful researcher. This site offers many other video clips on topics such as: A Creative Process, A Need for Minority Researchers, A Pre-tenure Risk, and A Sense of Purpose, along with many other links of interest to researchers.
Characteristics of a Good Researcher: Innate Talent or Acquired Skills?
Stefanadis, C. & Hellenic J. (2006). Cardiol Vol. 47, p. 52-53
This Editor’s Page outlines requirements for reliable and meaningful researchers in the field of medicine.
15 Steps to Good Research
Library Website, Georgetown University
This site lists steps for doing good research, offers links to good resources, and implies the qualities a good researcher has, including an emphasis on ethical principles.
What Makes Good Research in Modeling and Simulation: Sustaining the Growth and Vitality of the M&S Discipline
Yilmaz, L. (2009). Panel Discussion Chair, Proceedings of the 2008 Winter Simulation Conference
The purpose of this panel session was to promote discussion on emergent challenges, and the needs for advancements in Modeling and Simulation research.
