IFAS Grant Writing Workshop / Seminar
New IFAS Multi-year Grantsmanship Training Program Initiated
The IFAS Dean for Research Office is sponsoring a major effort in Grantsmanship Training. This multi-year effort will be designed to reach across - all - IFAS faculty (CALS, Extension, FAES) involved in grant writing and to build their skills as well as support a select subgroup in specific proposal drafting and submission.
This Grantsmanship Training program is based on two step process. Step one is a broad seminar training approach that teaches Principal Investigators to "write to the review process". It is an exciting approach done by a master in the field of grantsmanship, Dr. Stephen Russell of Grant Writer's Seminars and Workshops ( http://www.grantcentral.com/ ). I have used Stephen in the past and can vouch for the impact he has in his training approach for both new and young faculty but even more impressive is his impact on senior, seasoned principal investigators. This seminar training will be held twice per year for at least the next three years.
The Dean for Research Office has extended this seminar training, starting in the Spring of 2006, to include Post Docs. And then again starting in Fall of 2006 we will include your graduate assistants. As you can imagine, this is a massive commitment of time and resources to enhance the success of your programs. We believe that this unparalleled effort will produce results that reflect IFAS research as among the greatest in this country! In a commitment to an IFAS-wide partnership of research, teaching and extension, we will be fully inclusive of faculty with primary appointments in teaching and extension as well as research.
Step two is a specific workshop training program. Up to twenty five IFAS faculty (and five College of Veterinary Medicine Faculty) will be selected to participate in a workshop. Some of the activities (e.g., mock review panel) are group based; however, extensive individual time is included to ensure that the specific needs of each participant are addressed. The program has three objectives for each participant: (1) To write and submit the best application of which s/he is capable, (2) To better understand the dynamics and psychology of the review process, (3) To develop an appreciation that constructive criticism from colleagues can make the difference between an application's success and failure.
Our workshop will extend over four-to-six months, with two on-site meetings. Off-site interactions with consultants are conducted by telephone, fax, and e-mail. Both new and revised applications can be prepared. Assistance in responding to prior review will be provided to those who are writing revisions. For RFPs being responded to by a group of faculty, only the PI should apply to the workshop. Due to the limited seating at workshops here at IFAS, these workshops will only be available to faculty.
