Funder Selection
Selecting a funder goes in tandem with your specific research strategy. Varying levels of research are aptly paired with varying levels of funding. Miscalculating this step could set you back in both timeline and resources. But, when your research is in line with your carefully crafted trajectory, you know which sandbox to be in. Our funder selection services position you for a fundable future.
Pitching to Program Officers
What is it? Technically, this could be two different things. Pitching to program officers could either be (1) a 30-60 second elevator pitch that you prepare in preparation for meeting the Program Officer (PO) at a workshop or conference — allowing you an opportunity to give a good first impression and hopefully open the doors for more discussion; or (2) a scheduled call or a face-to-face meeting you have with your PO to discuss your project based off a concept paper that has already been shared with your PO. Ultimately, pitching to program officers is about confirming whether your research or project fits with the funder’s and program’s objectives. This conversation can help you obtain the necessary guidance for your project’s design, collaboration, timeline, and budget — as well as specific nuances that might be left out of the funding notice. It also can give you insights into the program’s likes/dislikes, shifting priorities, and underlying considerations.
Researchers do not always consider the great ace in their pocket — the ability to communicate and pitch to an agency’s specified Program Officer. While this can be intimidating, when done in tandem with a well-written concept paper, it can be the very thing that sets your final proposal above the rest. However, do not call the PO until you are ready to discuss in detail your project (and this assumes that you have already determined alignment with their priorities). We have seen researchers call to clarify a question, and then be asked questions that they weren’t prepared for, leaving them startled and without leaving the greatest of impressions.
The pitch is the beginning of your relationship with the funding program and its Officer. Whether you are preparing your elevator pitch or preparing more formalized conversation points, there is a protocol for pitching to Program Officers, so be sure you start out on the right foot.
How can we help you?
- Ensure your concept paper is well developed
- Coach “the pitch”
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Read MoreFAQ About Pitching to Program Officers
Federal and state funding usually come with more requirements in their submission guidelines and required paperwork; they usually also have more focused prioritized areas than foundation funding.
The starting point for any conversation with a funder is a concept paper and logic model.
You will want to have done your homework in order to identify funder priorities, the types of programs that have been funded recently, and perhaps to understand your PO’s professional background. You will also want to have a solid logic model and concept paper to share in your introductory email. When ready to make contact, send an email with a summary of the issues, be specific, ask for a time to talk, and attach your concept paper and logic model. Do not bog the PO down with methodological details, but concentrte on the big picture, outcomes, and deliverables.
You should not ask for information that is already provided on the website or in the solicitation itself. The PO will refer you back to those and note that you did not seek that information before contacting their office. You should consider asking questions along the lines of whether your idea is in line with what the office is looking for, and how it could potentially be strengthened.
With any email or any PO, you will want to assume at least a week for them to respond. After this time, you will want to resend your original email with a note about following up and perhaps ask if there’s a better way to connect.
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Peggy Ostrander, DNPc, APRN, FNP-C Plano, Texas