How to Submit Your Best Grant Application

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• published: 26 Feb 2015
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Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society hosted this public hangout to answer questions from undergraduate and graduate students applying for research funds from Sigma Xi's Grants-in-Aid of Research (GIAR) Program.  Index of Topics in this video: 0:03:20 Why should a student apply for a GIAR? 0:04:10 Biggest reaon grants aren't funded 0:05:45 How are reviews done? 0:08:20 How to describe research in 500 words? 0:11:03 How to write a big picture statement 0:12:15 How is the budget evaluated? 0:14:55 Who is the best person to write recommendation? 0:15:54 What makes for a good recommendation? 0:19:31 Do figures help a proposal? 0:20:30 How does Sigma Xi membership effect an application? 0:22:33 What does the comment "descriptive" mean? 0:23:38 Why do reviewers differ in their evaluations? 0:24:28 Good reviews, why didn't I get funded? 0:25:28 Any tips on a good hypothesis statement? 0:27:14 What if your research isn't hypothesis driven? 0:29:11 Who is a good backup letter writer? 0:30:06 Do you fund social science research? 0:30:33 Can GIAR cover tuition expenses? 0:31:25 Are vision proposals evaluated like other proposals? 0:32:14 Does having a previous GIAR effect getting a second GIAR? 0:33:10 What does the criteria "appropriateness" mean? 0:34:10 Does not having IACUC approval hurt my chances? 0:35:50 Do you fund applications from outside the US? 0:36:40 If I am funded, when will I get my grant? 0:37:27 What happens after I receive my grant? 0:38:18 How many grants do you guys fund? 0:38:46 How detailed should the budget be? 0:41:07 Should I get permit/ethical approval first? 0:42:18 Is preliminary data important? 0:43:18 Exploratory and Monitoring Projects vs. Hypothesis driven research 0:45:06 What if project is part of a larger project? 0:46:47 Importance of big picture vs. methods 0:49:04 Using estimates for travel expenses 0:51:10 Importance of following application directions 0:53:48 What is the cutoff score for awarded grants? 0:56:34 More on project budget detail 0:57:36 Doe Sigma Xi provide feedback for unsuccessful applications? 0:59:16 Importance of life history background for an ecosystem About the Speakers: Peter Harries, chair of the GIAR Committee, and Emma Perry, member and former chair of the committee, answered questions about what the committee looks for as they review grant applications. This is the committee that selects students who will receive grants. Kevin Bowen, GIAR program manager, was also on the hangout to answer questions about the application. To learn more about these speakers, visit https://www.sigmaxi.org/programs/grants-in-aid/submitting-your-best-application. We couldn't get to all of the questions during the hangout, so the GIAR Committee members will be answering those questions. Their answers will be put into a document and posted by March 5 at https://www.sigmaxi.org/giar/apply. Application Deadlines: March 15 and October 15 annually. The program awards grants of up to $1,000 to students from all areas of the sciences and engineering. Additionally, designated funds from the National Academy of Sciences allow for grants of up to $5,000 for astronomy research and $2,500 for vision related research. To learn more or to apply, visit https://www.sigmaxi.org/giar. Sigma Xi is the international honor society of scientists and engineers.