How to make the best of what you have.

1. How to make the best of what you have. Ingrid Winship April 2013

2. Unsuccessful? Use the Reviewers’ Comments as CONSTRUCTIVE criticism- don’t defend yourself! You will have been told that • The application is not competitive • The aims of the research are unclear • Not feasible • Inadequate Research Plan and/or Methodology • Investigators/ team lack experience Did you read the rules? Did you follow the instructions?

3. Review the Assessment Criteria The quality of the proposed research - do you have any of these? • An important discovery or innovation • A solution to an important problem • Addition to an existing body of knowledge

4. Assessment Criteria Does the proposed research have these qualities? • Originality • Scientific, theoretical merit • Scope of the project • Soundness of the planning and methodology • Feasibility – researchers and institution Does the proposal fit with the priorities of the funding body

5. Assessment Criteria Quality of Researchers Track Record • Skills and experience relative to the research • Publications • Other outputs

6. Review what you did • Track Record • Budget • Cross discipline critique • Mentoring

7. A new strategy • Preparation - what did you leave out • Communicate - ask for help • Impact • Preliminary Data - keep collecting, with time, more will be evident

8. Who is missing? • New collaborators • Inter-professional • Critique from one who does not know your work

9. Seek funding again • Resubmit refreshed application. Often second or third time lucky! • Look for alternative funding sources

10. Funding • Talk to your office for research • Talk to your Foundation • Talk to your HOD • Think outside the square

11. Collaborate CollaborateCollaborate !