NSF grant strategy advice for my 2-year school

In summary: Are you trying to get a similar grant for your school? Or are you just curious about the grant process and want advice from the lead investigator?In summary, the individual is considering going back to school after a year of being out due to health reasons. They are interested in a 2-year school that has received a grant from NSF. The NSF website has interesting details about the grant being fully disbursed and having a single responsible party. The individual is wondering if it is possible to get something similar at their school and if it makes sense to reach out to the person responsible for the grant for advice. The individual is not aiming for funds dedicated for their sole use and is interested in learning about grant writing and strategy.
  • #1
theycallmevirgo
109
25
I've been out of school for over a year because of some drastic physical health garbage, and I'm thinking about going back in 3-6 months, to a 2 year school. One of the schools a little further down from me has a big grant from NSF;

https://www.ucc.edu/academics/acade...nd-mathematics/infusing-research-as-pedagogy/

https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1832425

Now, the NSF website has 2 interesting details;

1) Seems to say the entire grant has already been disbursed.

2) Seems to say on the school's end there was basically one responsible party.

It's not totally out of the question for me to go to that school; I'd just strongly prefer not to, mostly for logistics reasons. So, I was wondering if it was a realistic goal to get something like that going at my school. Tactically, does it make any sense to reach out to this person (via LinkedIn, as a first approximation) and solicit her advice?

Many thanks in advance for any hints

Joe
 
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  • #2
theycallmevirgo said:
if it was a realistic goal to get something like that going at my school.
Sure, but the lead investigator needs to be on faculty.
theycallmevirgo said:
does it make any sense to reach out to this person (via LinkedIn, as a first approximation) and solicit her advice?
"Hi, I want to be your competitor. Please share your secrets."
 
  • #3
theycallmevirgo said:
So, I was wondering if it was a realistic goal to get something like that going at my school.
I'm not familiar with grant writing for education/research projects, but in public safety grant writing, there is typically an experienced person who is a specialist in writing grant proposals. It might be a valid inquiry on your part to ask your 2-year school if they have a person who is writing grant proposals...
 
  • #4
theycallmevirgo said:
I've been out of school for over a year because of some drastic physical health garbage, and I'm thinking about going back in 3-6 months, to a 2 year school. One of the schools a little further down from me has a big grant from NSF;

https://www.ucc.edu/academics/acade...nd-mathematics/infusing-research-as-pedagogy/

https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1832425

Now, the NSF website has 2 interesting details;

1) Seems to say the entire grant has already been disbursed.

2) Seems to say on the school's end there was basically one responsible party.

It's not totally out of the question for me to go to that school; I'd just strongly prefer not to, mostly for logistics reasons. So, I was wondering if it was a realistic goal to get something like that going at my school. Tactically, does it make any sense to reach out to this person (via LinkedIn, as a first approximation) and solicit her advice?

Many thanks in advance for any hints

Joe
<<Emphasis added.>> I'm not sure what the relevance to you and your future plans of these "2 interesting details" are . Also, with respect to Detail 2), the second link you provided states that there are currently 2 principal investigators and 4 former principal investigators. Are you aiming for funds dedicated for your sole use?
 
  • #5
CrysPhys said:
<<Emphasis added.>> I'm not sure what the relevance to you and your future plans of these "2 interesting details" are . Also, with respect to Detail 2), the second link you provided states that there are currently 2 principal investigators and 4 former principal investigators. Are you aiming for funds dedicated for your sole use?
My point re 2 interesting details being, this woman knows how to write grants and she's no longer competing with me (as far as I can tell) so she may be willing to share strategy.

ETA: and no, absolutely they are not for my sole use.
 
  • #6
Vanadium 50 said:
Sure, but the lead investigator needs to be on faculty.

"Hi, I want to be your competitor. Please share your secrets."
See response to CrysPhys
 
  • #7
theycallmevirgo said:
My point re 2 interesting details being, this woman knows how to write grants and she's no longer competing with me (as far as I can tell) so she may be willing to share strategy.

ETA: and no, absolutely they are not for my sole use.
You don't know whether it was in fact a single person who wrote the grant proposal. And you don't know whether in fact they have submitted subsequent proposals or are in the process of submitting subsequent proposals.
 
  • Informative
Likes berkeman
  • #8
I don't really understand your goal here. From your first post it sounds like you're a student? What about this grant are you interested in exactly?
 

1. What is the NSF grant strategy for 2-year schools?

The National Science Foundation (NSF) offers a variety of grant programs for 2-year colleges, including the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program and the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) program. These grants support projects that aim to improve STEM education at 2-year schools, increase student retention and success, and enhance the preparation of students for STEM careers.

2. How can my 2-year school get started with applying for NSF grants?

The first step is to identify a specific project or program that aligns with the goals of an NSF grant program. Then, you can review the guidelines and requirements for the specific grant program and develop a proposal that outlines your project, its goals, and how it aligns with the NSF's mission. It is also helpful to reach out to program officers at the NSF for guidance and feedback.

3. What are some common mistakes to avoid when applying for NSF grants?

Some common mistakes to avoid when applying for NSF grants include not following the guidelines and requirements of the specific grant program, not clearly outlining the goals and objectives of the proposed project, and not providing sufficient evidence of the need for the project. It is also important to have a strong evaluation plan and to involve stakeholders in the planning and implementation of the project.

4. What are some tips for writing a successful NSF grant proposal for a 2-year school?

Some tips for writing a successful NSF grant proposal for a 2-year school include clearly outlining the need for the project and its potential impact, providing a detailed and well-planned budget, and including a strong evaluation plan. It is also important to involve stakeholders in the project and to clearly demonstrate how the project aligns with the goals of the specific NSF grant program.

5. Are there any resources available to help my 2-year school with the NSF grant application process?

Yes, there are several resources available to help 2-year schools with the NSF grant application process. The NSF website provides detailed information about each grant program and their requirements. Additionally, there are workshops and webinars offered by the NSF and other organizations that provide guidance on developing successful grant proposals. It can also be helpful to reach out to other 2-year schools or institutions that have been successful in receiving NSF grants for advice and support.

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