Why do we need grants?

• For the university - Last year, the grant money was over a quarter of the univeristy budget.


• For the individual

1. Nine-month support is usual.  Need to cover the summer.
2. Provides research grants for students.
3. If you are not tenured, applying for grants is particularly important.  It counts even if results in rejection.
4. Aplication itself provides you a useful feedback (incl. references), and also your name would be known.

Types of grants

• NSF Grants (Standard)
  

1. Unsolicited grants.
2. Group proposals.  (Details are on RFP on NSF Web site.)
3. Solicited grants.
4. Education grants.
5. Individual interdiciplinary grants.

• Military Grants

Solicited grants only.

• Industry Grants

Solicited grants only.

• NIS also accepts unsolicited grant applications.

Procedure

• NSF Grants 
  

1. "target dates" are not deadlines; i.e., you can submit the paper later.  (However, being too late, not just two or three days, might mean small possibility of success.)
2. The ranking process often depends on luck/timing, too.  So, a rejection does not mean that your paper is bad.
3. Submit fifteen-page paper plus a one-page summary. 
• Never make it longer.  
• Do not put too much information into it.
• Make it precise and easy to read.
• Include no speculation.
• Work on the research a year in front.
  
4. There is no follow-up grant.  Every application would be considered as a new one.
5. Be aware it takes time to get the result.  For example, if you submit the paper in November, then might hear from them in April.
   

• Military Grants

1. No RFP.  Personal contact with program officers are important.
2. Follow-up grant is usual.

• Indistry Grants
  

Things are done in higher level, not in individual level.

What to ask for?

• NSF Grants
  

1. Two-month summer support.
2. Travel support.
3. Three-year support (tipical for a solicited grant).