The advancement of academic resarch productivity should be accomplished systematically using the following five steps: (1) determine the research fit within the institutional mission; (2) identify the extent of research involvement; (3) identify necessary staff and associated costs; (4) allocate institutional funds; and (5) monitor and evaluate…

A review of major grantsmanship and research proposal guides identified common themes for the preparation and writing of the literature review: completeness, currentness, discussion of results and methodology, critical nature, organization, and uniqueness. It is suggested that much of the advice given is anecdotal and should be tested for…

In response to increasing costs and growing reliance on external funding for college faculty research, a plan for promoting faculty success in gaining financial support for research is proposed. The plan is based on information in the literature concerning prerequisites for success in getting external support. (Author/MSE)

The experience of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville suggests that encouraging research office staff to apply for grants can be a rewarding learning experience and can improve office visibility and credibility, staff confidence and professionalism, and staff sensitivity to faculty involved in grants development. (MSE)

A study explored the links between success in receiving federal funding and characteristics of research/sponsored programs offices at 46 state-supported higher education institutions. A linear predictive model indicated funding success could be predicted from the level of direct institutional commitment to research and grant-seeking efforts.…

The State University of New York College at Brockport's experience in overcoming organizational challenges to implementing a successful sponsored research program is outlined step by step. A key to program success has been psychological support and supportive climate for faculty and staff through every stage of grant seeking. (Author/MSE)

This article proposes that preparation of a sponsored research proposal is a reasonable alternative to the doctoral dissertation as a means of demonstrating scholarly ability. The skills needed to complete a dissertation are seen as similar to those for developing, writing, and submitting a major proposal for federally sponsored research. (MSE)

Presents a framework for ranking college faculty based on their sponsored-project histories, a departure from conventional academic ranking. Distribution of faculty among these ranks within a unit produces a "funding persistence" profile capable of measuring faculty sponsored-project activity independent of the institutional-productivity model.…

Large collaborative grant applications, typically involving researchers from varied disciplines and proposing a lengthy work span, can be stressful for researchers and research administrators. The research office of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston helps plan and develop these complex applications. Resources and services are…

The University of Wisconsin River Falls is a small, primarily undergraduate teaching institution with a limited history of grant support. In 1990 it created an office of grants and research, whose director found writing proposals with faculty to be an effective way to increase external funding. The methods, pitfalls, and results of this approach…

After a continuing effort to improve its grant application process, the department of medical microbiology and immunology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is submitting many more applications and realizing increased funding. The methods and strategy used to make the process more efficient and effective are outlined. (Author/MSE)

As researchers turn to industry over government for research funding, it is proposed that research administrators provide substantial assistance to faculty in the different strategies and skills needed to win grants. Differences between corporate and federal sponsors, basic strategies found effective in winning grants, and elements of effective…

At the University of Akron (Ohio), research productivity was enhanced through improved information exchange, implementation of a systematic approach to securing funds, grant-writing seminars, reallocation of indirect-cost returns, establishment of a fund to cover unplanned expenditures, and other support activities. Creation and maintenance of a…

A study of 163 colleges and universities examined 33 variables seen as incentives for faculty to engage in sponsored research. Results suggest a small predictive relationship between released time to write proposals, reduced faculty loads to work on funded projects, availability of graduate and research assistants, return of some direct costs to…

A survey of 136 New Jersey state college faculty found under 20% actively engaged in grant activities, citing need for released time from heavy workloads, desire for greater professional recognition, lack of information about funding opportunities, and inadequate technical assistance in grant development. Eight recommendations for encouraging and…