Announcement - Spring 2007 Research Foundation Workshops

• Thursday, March 1, 2:00-4:00
  Show Me the Money! Funding Opportunities on the Web

  If you have ideas for research and need to know where to begin your search for funding, or if you currently have grants and would like to seek supplemental funding for your project, this interactive session is perfect for you! At this workshop, we will demonstrate how to utilize the Internet in your search for funding opportunities, including the online searchable database "Sponsored Programs Information Network" (SPIN). You will also learn how to successfully navigate several agency web sites and locate announcements, RFPs, and other information. This workshop will be held in the SDSU Research Foundation computer training room so participants can have hands-on experience!

• Thursday, April 5, 2:00-4:00
  Laying the Groundwork for a Successful Proposal

  Part of writing a grant proposal is understanding the costs of your research in order to lay a foundation for success. Where do you begin when creating your research budget? For example, do you plan on hiring students, using various supplies, renting space, or attending conferences? How will these costs affect your proposed budget? During this workshop, you will hear from successful SDSU Principal Investigators, who will share their experiences with grant writing, shedding light on how to write winning proposals with corresponding budgets. Also, experienced staff in the Development department of SDSURF will help answer questions and provide examples of how to work research costs into your proposal. The information presented will be useful for faculty and staff who are new to proposal preparation, as well as those faculty and staff who need a "refresher" on budget development. You may send your questions in advance to Janet Holmberg or Joanne Cobble.

• Tuesday, April 10, 2:00-4:00
  Meet your Match: Overview of Cost Sharing Issues in Grant Proposals

  Cost sharing (or "matching funds") in proposals has become a timely topic for those submitting proposals and receiving grants and contracts. There has been increasing pressure from funding agencies to require cost sharing in order to leverage the funds they provide to projects. What is cost sharing? What is the difference between mandatory and voluntary cost sharing? If cost sharing is proposed, how does this affect the project once it is awarded? What are allowable and unallowable cost sharing items? These are just some of the questions that will be answered. Faculty and project staff involved in submitting proposals, as well as Deans and Department Chairs responsible for approving cost-sharing, will find this information helpful.

• Thursday, April 12, 2:00-4:00
  Electronic Submission Update

  Paperless proposals? More and more agencies (federal, state, and private) are moving to on-line submission of research proposals. Join us for an overview of the major site for federal submissions, Grants.gov, as well as several agency sites. We will answer your questions about the various on-line submission systems, explain the mysteries of the electronic proposal world, and share lessons learned. Faculty and staff who are planning upcoming proposal submissions, and their staff who assist with proposals, will benefit from this workshop.

• Thursday, April 26, 2:00-4:00
  Writing a Grant Proposal: Tricks of the Trade

  This workshop will cover the different steps involved in writing a proposal for extramural funding. Topics include a description of funding sources, pre-proposal preparation, different sections of a proposal, budget items, "tricks of the trade," and writing techniques and strategies. Faculty and project staff who have not written a proposal will benefit from this workshop, as well as those faculty who need "refresher" information.