Securing research funding

1. Securing research funding Professor Emily Banks

2. To cover • description of my projects • tips for success • applicant’s perspective

3. To cover • rationale • description of my projects • tips for success • applicant’s perspective

4. To cover • rationale • description of my projects • tips for success • applicant’s perspective

5. Rationale

6. Rationale • additional resource for research • contribute to your team/institution • build capacity • focus of collaboration • career progression • marker of quality and esteem

7. Success

8. Success through failure

9. The SEARCH study • A long term study of the health of urban Aboriginal children aged 0-17 years recruited through Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services across NSW • Initiated by Aboriginal communities and has extensive input and review by these communities • Initially funded by NHMRC with additional funding support from NSW Health, the Rio Tinto Aboriginal Health Foundation and DEEWR • Original Chief Investigators: Jonathan Craig, Richard Taylor, Sandra Bailey, Emily Banks, Alan Cass, Katherine Clapham, John Daniels, Sandra Eades, Sue Kippax, Ann Baker, Beverly Raphael, Sally Redman, Frank Vincent, Peter McIntyre

11. High risk prescribing • data linkage study of over 100,000 participants • aiming to determine the prevalence, risk factors, clinical outcomes related to and costs of high risk prescribing in older people • policy and practice linkage

12. Tips for success • good team • good project • presented in a way that lets the panel know that

13. The broader approach • prioritise research • start small, collaborative, “low risk” • don’t expect to be successful first time • aim to develop resilience • don’t take it personally: be professional • even if you don’t get it, you are one step closer • demystify others: listen to their stories

14. The experience “For the first time people don't treat you like the future superstar you always thought you were," one scientist says. "You don't make much money, you work extremely long hours, and you begin to worry that you don't have a future. It's a bit like being a starving artist but without the personal affirmation you get from those occasional, limited artistic triumphs." Science Careers, 2011

15. Part of the solution “…..a growing body of research and practical experience suggest that personal resilience is one reason that some people succeed but others don't. Two trainees come up against negative research findings, or face a string of rejections from journal editors and grant-review panels. Their challenges are similar, but one feels defeated while the other is inspired to try harder. Guess who wins?" Science Careers, 2011

16. Building resilience 1) Make connections with people who can provide social support (e.g., mentors, friends, and colleagues).2) Avoid seeing crises as insurmountable and maintain a long-term view toward the future.3) Accept that change (and the need to adapt to it) is part of living.4) Focus on small steps and realistic goals that can be accomplished on a regular basis.5) Take decisive action rather than wishing problems would go away.6) Look for opportunities for self-discovery; learn lessons from stress and adversity.7) Nurture a positive view of yourself that allows you to trust your instincts.8) Maintain perspective and don't blow things out of proportion.9) Take care of yourself mentally and physically.10) Meditation and spiritual practices are helpful to some people. Science Careers, 2011

17. Being strategic • gather good team • discrete, answerable research questions • clear justification: background • clear methods • tip the balance in your favour: priority areas, steering toward specific panel • aim to make a start: data are convincing

18. Maximising chances of success • explicitly address the selection criteria • make it easy for the panel to “tick the boxes”

19. Maximising chances of success • start early • quality across the board: ideas, background, methods, formatting, budget • accommodate different depths of reading • put effort into all of the form: roles, additional criteria etc • print out what the assessors and panel will see, go through it carefully: be obsessive! • get lots of feedback from experienced peers • early career stage • make sure genuinely supported by good team • specific mention of mentoring. • pilot data, validation, methodological work

20. Don’t: • make exaggerated or unfounded claims • waffle • make your application too crowded • use methods you don’t understand • leave it to the panel to work out what you are thinking • do the “additional boxes” at the last minute • make unreasonable demands of collaborators

21. Conclusion • acknowledge collaborators • good luck!