Grant Writing and Getting Researchers Funded
I have a stellar track record of securing grants and other funding from a diversity of sources, including competitive federal grants, state, national and local governments, foundations, businesses, and other creative sources. Among others, I've successfully applied for funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the National Council on Disability and other highly selective federal agencies, and I'm familiar with federal forms and processes. I've also secured small and large grants from state, local, foundation and internal university sources. I'm adept at finding funding for a wide range of research project types and career stages, including center grants, educational conferences, exploratory and pilot projects, participatory action research/community-based participatory research, career development, qualitative and quantitative projects and traditional knowledge production and bench science. I've also received competitive grants for capacity building, special projects and community-researcher teams and other non-traditional approaches.
My success at a getting scientists funded is due in large part to three factors:
1. My training as a social science researcher (MA in research-focused medical anthropology; completed PhD coursework in health services research, and in the data collection stage of my dissertation). I've also taught research methods and have a strong command of methodology, research design and research ethics, which I can use to clearly demonstrate the value of your research to funders.
2. My work as a science writer, which has allowed me to develop expertise in communicating to lay audiences, including reviewers - who are often smart people outside of your direct niche, letting them know why they should fund you.
3. My experience assisting medical students, residents, and junior, senior and clinical faculty secure research funding at a large safety net hospital and research center. Writing grants for scientists in many different areas strengthened my grant writing skills, but also my understanding of science and the scientific process, as well as my curiosity about a wide range of different subjects.
Though I don't always talk about it at parties, I really enjoy grant writing, which I view as an opportunity to tell the story of your work in a way that generates interest -- and money! I am a compelling and concise writer, and I focus my grant narratives on the match between your important work and the funder's needs. I also leverage my skills as a knowledge translation specialist to communicate complex science in accessible, clear language, allowing reviewers who are not content area experts to grasp the importance of your work.
From identifying potential funding opportunities, expert grant writing and proposal development, budgets and meticulously editing final grant applications, Rebel Girl Research Communications has your back. In addition to crafting grant narratives, I am equipped to manage all aspects of proposal development, including developing budgets, obtaining letters of support, and completing all necessary administrative components of grant submissions. No job is too small! I can develop proposals from start to finish, or provide any of the above services on an "a la carte" basis.
I'm dedicated to helping you get the funding you need, as painlessly as possible. I'm highly experienced in all stages of the funding process. I can help identify appropriate grant opportunities, using databases such as Grant Forward, Foundations Directory Online, COS Pivot, Raiser's Edge (and its freeware siblings), and others, as well as careful attention to funders within your area of expertise. I can build and maintain relationships with program officers and development officials, and serve as a liaison to evaluate the fit between your work and the funder's priorities.
I specialize in funding hard to fund and non-traditional research, and I'm also very comfortable writing traditional proposals in many different fields. I love learning new things, and I've written grants in subjects ranging from physics to decision science, from astronomy to tree mites and community organizing. I'm happy to work with you to develop a comprehensive fundraising plan that takes the nuances of your field and institutional politics into account. I see my role as making the money come in so that you can do your work, and I'm happy to be a small part of making science happen.
I specialize in grant writing for public health and social science research, and for equity-focused activist work. I offer a discount to social justice-oriented community groups and non-profits interested in securing programmatic or other funding. Please contact me for details.