Funding from an organization and delay regarding that matter

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the delay in funding from a Switzerland-based organization for a personal research project on wind power generation. Participants explore the reasons for the delay, the legitimacy of the organization, and share personal experiences related to funding timelines.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant reports a promise of funding of US$ 2500 by mid June, which has not yet been received, and questions the validity of the organization's claim regarding bank holidays causing the delay.
  • Another participant notes that August is traditionally a vacation month in Europe, which may explain the delay.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the organization's legitimacy, suggesting it may be a scam, especially if they request personal financial information later.
  • Concerns are raised about the claim that banks shut down for transactions, with one participant arguing that banks continue to operate even if some staff are on holiday.
  • Another participant shares their experience of delayed funding, indicating that such delays can occur even with legitimate sources.
  • Questions arise regarding whether there was an application fee for the funding, with confirmation that there was none.
  • Participants discuss the separation between program and funding personnel, suggesting that communication may not reflect the complete situation regarding funding timelines.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express skepticism about the organization's claims and the legitimacy of the funding process, with multiple competing views on the reasons for the delay and the potential for it being a scam. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the organization's credibility.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the understanding of holiday seasons and banking operations in Europe may vary, and there is uncertainty about the specific practices of the organization in question.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in research funding, those considering applying for grants, or anyone navigating delays in financial support for research projects may find this discussion relevant.

T C
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I am continuing a personal research about a new kind of wind power generation system by my own and have got partial success. I have found a Switzerland based organization that claimed to assist research and development by individuals like me by funding them. I have contacted them and last May, they promised me to give me a small amount of fund of US$ 2500. They promised to pay it by mid June, but I haven't got it till this date. Recently I have got an e-mail from them where they say that it's holiday time all of Europe and almost all bank officials of the banks through which they operate are on holidays' It will take two weeks more to complete the process as the funds can only be transferred after the bank officials joined their work.
The whole statement looks fudgy to me. I personally don't know whether there is any kind of holiday season in Europe by now and for which most of bank officials will go for holidays and all the transactions in banks are stopped. Just sharing my experience with other to confirm whether what they are saying is true or what I am suspecting is right. Though I am now highly sanguine that my doubt is correct.
 
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August is the traditional vacation month for most of Europe.
 
T C said:
I have contacted them and last May, they promised me to give me a small amount of fund of US$ 2500. They promised to pay it by mid June, but I haven't got it till this date.
It sure sounds like a scam. They will likely be asking you for some money or your bank account details at some point...
 
berkeman said:
It sure sounds like a scam. They will likely be asking you for some money or your bank account details at some point...
They have their own website and they haven't asked for bank account details yet. I don't want to disclose the name of the organization for the time being, but can tell you personally.
 
Europe has only three holidays - January, May and August.

I agree - it sounds scammy. Having a website does not preclude scamminess. Is it nigerianprincess.org?
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Is it nigerianprincess.org?
No. It's a Switzerland based organization. If you wish, I can tell you the name personally as I don't want to disclose the name publicly for now.
 
T C said:
It's a Switzerland based
Sorry. nigerianprincess.ch :wink:
 
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russ_watters said:
Was there an application fee?
No.
 
  • #10
Banks don't shut down for transactions, except for a long weekend, perhaps. Loan officers may be gone, but the banks still have to work. It's not like the european transactional economy stops in august. Blaming the bank sounds like BS to me.
 
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  • #11
T C said:
No.
That's good. Whatever you do, do not pay them.

....also, do not give them a sneak peak at your IP.
 
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  • #12
DaveE said:
Banks don't shut down for transactions, except for a long weekend, perhaps. Loan officers may be gone, but the banks still have to work. It's not like the european transactional economy stops in august. Blaming the bank sounds like BS to me.
What they are saying that due to such holidays, funds aren't arriving at their accounts from the funders. They actually aren't blaming the banks actually.
 
  • #13
Do not disregard the warnings, but I have had funding not arrive until the 3rd quarter along with complaints about my burn rate.
 
  • #14
Frabjous said:
Do not disregard the warnings, but I have had funding not arrive until the 3rd quarter along with complaints about my burn rate.
From where you have got your funding? Is it from government or from a non-government organization?
 
  • #15
T C said:
From where you have got your funding? Is it from government or from a non-government organization?
This was referring to government funding.

I expect that you will get your funding.
 
  • #16
Frabjous said:
I expect that you will get your funding
Thanks! Whatsoever, on what subject you have got your grant?
 
  • #17
T C said:
Thanks! Whatsoever, on what subject you have got your grant?
Behavior of materials.
 
  • #18
Have you got your grant from any university?
 
  • #19
T C said:
Have you got your grant from any university?
Yes. They can also be slow if the university is getting the money from an external source.
 
  • #20
The program people and the money people are frequently separate which means that you are being told what the program people are being told by the money people, i.e., not the complete story.
 
  • #21
They told me that I will get the grant by mid June. And, recently I have got an e-mail from them that it will take two weeks more due to holiday season. Here in the group. it's now clear that August is holiday season. Kindly tell me whether funding is delayed for you too?
 

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