How can you ensure your research projects are sustainable and scalable after funding?

Many research projects depend on external funding sources, such as grants, donations, or contracts, to support their activities and goals. However, funding is often limited, competitive, and uncertain, which can pose challenges for the long-term sustainability and scalability of research projects. How can you ensure that your research projects can continue to deliver value and impact after funding ends or changes? Here are some tips and strategies to consider.

1 Plan ahead

Before you start your research project, you should have a clear vision of what you want to achieve, how you will measure your progress and outcomes, and what resources and support you will need. You should also anticipate potential risks and challenges, such as changes in funding availability, regulations, or stakeholder expectations, and how you will address them. Having a realistic and flexible plan can help you align your project objectives with your funding opportunities, as well as identify alternative or complementary sources of funding or collaboration.

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Robert A. Schwertner

Wir beraten zur Forschungszulage in Deutschland 🇩🇪 forschungszulage.de ErstberatungㅣVergleichsangebotㅣEinschätzung der ErfolgsaussichtenㅣHilfe bei Fragen zum Antrag, Förderungshöhe, Kriterien, Ablauf der Beantragung
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🎈Ich finde wichtig, dass während der Durchführung des Forschungsprojekts bereits ein klares Bild über zukünftige Anwendungen geschaffen wird. Marktsondierungen und Kontakt mit zukünftigen Kunden sind von großer Bedeutung! Die Forschungszulage in Deutschland legt zB Wert darauf, dass Marktperspektiven beschrieben und technische Risiken formuliert werden. 🎈

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Raj Stanley

Director @ Rivermind Consulting | Researcher | Research management Coach
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Towards Scalable The research questions that you have designed to translate the research problem into the research gap holds the answer to how flexible you can scale up or scale down, down the line. If your research questions are narrowed then the subsequent literature review and the derived research gaps will be specific to the narrowed researchpoint. In general, it is a good practice that you design the research questions that can give flexibility to scale up or down Towards Sustainable While the budget can be covering the entire research, the funding can be iterative. It will give ample space for the research team to adjust to the newer situation the research is taking them into. After all research is mostly exploration.

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2 Build capacity

One of the key factors that can affect the sustainability and scalability of your research project is the capacity of your team and your partners. Capacity refers to the skills, knowledge, experience, and motivation of the people involved in your project, as well as the infrastructure, equipment, and systems that enable your project activities. You should invest in building and strengthening the capacity of your project team and your partners, such as by providing training, mentoring, feedback, and recognition. This can help you ensure that your project can adapt to changing circumstances, deliver high-quality results, and transfer knowledge and skills to others.

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Robert A. Schwertner

Wir beraten zur Forschungszulage in Deutschland 🇩🇪 forschungszulage.de ErstberatungㅣVergleichsangebotㅣEinschätzung der ErfolgsaussichtenㅣHilfe bei Fragen zum Antrag, Förderungshöhe, Kriterien, Ablauf der Beantragung
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Gegen Ende des Forschungsprojekts ist meiner Meinung nach wichtig, Personen einzubinden, die sich um Business-Development kümmern, Kooperationspartner finden und Forschungsergebnisse aufbereiten, sodass sie einfach verstanden werden können 🎈

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3 Communicate effectively

Another important factor that can influence the sustainability and scalability of your research project is the communication of your project results and impact. Communication refers to the ways you share your project findings, insights, and recommendations with your target audiences, such as funders, policymakers, practitioners, or beneficiaries. You should use appropriate and engaging communication methods and channels, such as reports, presentations, publications, or social media, to showcase your project value and impact. This can help you build trust and credibility, attract more funding and support, and inspire action and change.

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James Ojera Latigo

Independent Research Professional
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Inclusiveness of the beneficiaries right from inception. This will garner a sense of ownership that sustains the project long after funding ends. Iteration is essential here to ensure perfection.

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4 Collaborate strategically

A third crucial factor that can determine the sustainability and scalability of your research project is the collaboration of your project stakeholders. Stakeholders are the individuals or groups that have an interest or influence in your project, such as funders, partners, beneficiaries, or competitors. You should establish and maintain positive and productive relationships with your stakeholders, such as by involving them in your project design, implementation, and evaluation, and by addressing their needs and expectations. This can help you leverage their resources and expertise, increase your project reach and impact, and create synergies and opportunities.

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5 Evaluate regularly

A final essential factor that can enhance the sustainability and scalability of your research project is the evaluation of your project performance and impact. Evaluation refers to the systematic and objective assessment of your project processes, outputs, outcomes, and impacts, using relevant and reliable data and methods. You should conduct regular and comprehensive evaluations of your project, such as by using quantitative and qualitative indicators, feedback mechanisms, or impact stories, to measure your project achievements and challenges. This can help you improve your project quality and efficiency, demonstrate your project accountability and learning, and inform your project decisions and actions.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you ensure your research projects are sustainable and scalable after funding?

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1 Plan ahead

2 Build capacity

3 Communicate effectively

4 Collaborate strategically

5 Evaluate regularly

6 Here’s what else to consider

Research Management

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