Locating Research Funding and Assembling an Application

1. Locating Research Funding and Assembling an Application Meg Brooks SwiftLauren Valente seohcrp@fas.harvard.edu

2. Harvard Funding Databases • International Funding Database: www.funding.fas.harvard.edu/search.cgi • Science Funding Database: www.funding.fas.harvard.edu/science/search.cgi • Committee on General Scholarships: www.scholarships.harvard.edu/ • Harvard FAS Prize Office: www.fas.harvard.edu/~secfas/PrizeOfficeHome.htm

3. Funding Sources vs Funded Programs • Understand Requirements/Expectations of a Funding Source: • Some expect you to work for a particular internship/program (PRISE, Weissman, HIGH) • Others provide funding to support an independent project with the budget you develop (HCRP, Various International Centers and Departments) • Identify whether your project is part of an organized program or a personal undertaking

4. SEO Funding: term and summer • Faculty Aide Program: • Serving as research assistant for faculty member, earn maximum of $3,000 • Harvard College Research Program: • Independent, autonomous student research • Working in close collaboration with faculty mentor • Will support wage stipend or expenses, but not both; May not receive a wage stipend if getting course credit

5. Budget Expenses Related to Economics • Data sets • Subject payments • Interview transcriptions • Training to conduct data analysis • Human/animal subjects approval (IRB Clearance) (www.fas.harvard.edu/~research/approvals/)

6. Identifying Faculty Mentor/Advisor • One with knowledge of your topic • One who can help identify data sets • One who can provide guidance around data analysis • One who can suggest additional funding sources • One who can speak to your strengths in a letter of recommendation to funding sources

7. Components of an Application • Proposal • Budget • Transcript • Letter(s) of recommendation • Resume, curriculum vitae, list of activities For many Harvard programs, you can apply using CARAT: https://asperin.fas.harvard.edu/carat/home.do

8. Writing a Proposal • Clarity: clarify purpose, identify strengths, be succinct, don’t confuse length with quality • Feasibility: demonstrate preparedness, knowledge of topic, relation to past achievements, nature of contacts, connection to goals of fellowship • Sincerity and Authenticity: who are you, what makes you tick, why you are special, why is this project important, what is the connection to your future goals • Know the Audience: write for an educated person, NOT a specialist

9. Research Proposal • Describe the question and contextualize the central issue (background research helpful) • Connection to your academic goals • Personal qualifications and accomplishments (incorporate relevant experience from resume) • Methodology • Connection/relationship with faculty mentor • Feasibility • Resources required

10. General Thoughts on Proposal Writing • Don’t be overly technical – think of readers as those who read the Science section in the NYT not JAMA • Write with persuasion, energy, and enthusiasm • Methodology should be well explained • Reader should see the connection between applicant and the proposal – why does it matter? • It is the single most important part of the application and the only part over which you have control

11. Budgets:3 Important Questions to Answer • What are the legitimate expenses required for you to complete your project? • What assets do you have to commit to the project? • Subtracting assets from expenses, what do you need to support the project?

12. Tips on Developing a Budget • Be consistent – make sure the budget matches everything in the proposal • Be conservative – economize when you can, while being reasonable • Be careful – think safety above all else • Use common sense and research to arrive at specific line items; Gather quotes and estimates from recognized sources