How can you use your research connections to secure funding?

Funding is one of the most challenging aspects of research management. You need to find sources of money that align with your research goals, write convincing proposals, and compete with other researchers for limited resources. But you don't have to do it all alone. You can leverage your research connections to secure funding in various ways. In this article, we'll show you how to use your network, collaborations, and communication skills to increase your chances of getting funded.

1 Identify potential funders

One of the first steps to secure funding is to identify potential funders that match your research interests, scope, and impact. You can use your research connections to find out about funding opportunities that you might not be aware of otherwise. For example, you can ask your mentors, peers, or former colleagues for recommendations, referrals, or introductions to funders. You can also join online platforms, groups, or forums where researchers share information and tips about funding sources. By using your research connections, you can expand your pool of funders and learn from their experiences.

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Kim van der Heul

MBA || Impactful Innovation | Thriving Businesses and Society
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Most academic institutions have a research support office or internal funding advisor, be sure to contact these persons and inform them about your research and funding needs.

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2 Build collaborations

Another way to use your research connections to secure funding is to build collaborations with other researchers who have complementary skills, expertise, or resources. Collaborations can enhance the quality, diversity, and innovation of your research, as well as increase your visibility and credibility. Moreover, collaborations can help you access funding sources that require or prefer multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, or transdisciplinary approaches. For example, you can collaborate with researchers from different fields, institutions, or countries to apply for grants that support cross-cutting research themes, challenges, or goals. By building collaborations, you can create synergies and opportunities for funding.

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3 Communicate your value

A third way to use your research connections to secure funding is to communicate your value to potential funders. You need to show them why your research is important, relevant, and impactful, and how it aligns with their mission, vision, and priorities. You can use your research connections to communicate your value in various ways. For example, you can showcase your publications, presentations, or media coverage to demonstrate your track record and achievements. You can also solicit feedback, endorsements, or testimonials from your research partners, collaborators, or beneficiaries to highlight your impact and reputation. By communicating your value, you can persuade funders to invest in your research.

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Kim van der Heul

MBA || Impactful Innovation | Thriving Businesses and Society
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As a researcher, you are probably used to write very factual, and very scientific. When communicating to funders, you have to take into account who your audience is and what they want to achieve with their funds. Maybe for them it is economic or societal impact. Be sure to align both your impact goals as well as your tone of voice with these policy goals of the funder. Another thing is to be realistic, though ambitious, when writing impact goals. This might require you to step out your comfort zone, as it requires thinking and writing about future aspirations - which you still have to realize.

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Sérgio Tavares

PhD | Design, Society, Technology
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If you have experience in the market — or if you have connections in the market — it is important to get acquainted to the ways of demonstrating value. The translation is not always immediate. While in companies value is most often translated only in financial gains (either in revenue or productivity), a board funding research may want to see return over investment that can be measured in other ways. From my experience, even in corporate projects that are connected to productivity gains, I recommend finding an intuitive unit of measuring value. Can you relate the problem you’re researching in a number of incidents? Elderly people in debt. Eviction rates. Or how happy people feel. Then, use your storytelling to paint the good outcome.

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4 Follow up and maintain relationships

A final way to use your research connections to secure funding is to follow up and maintain relationships with potential or existing funders. You need to keep them updated on your progress, achievements, and challenges, and show them that you appreciate their support and trust. You can use your research connections to follow up and maintain relationships in various ways. For example, you can send thank-you notes, reports, or newsletters to inform them about your outcomes and outputs. You can also invite them to events, workshops, or webinars where you share your findings and insights. By following up and maintaining relationships, you can foster loyalty and retention among funders.

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5 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 use your research connections to secure funding?

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1 Identify potential funders

2 Build collaborations

3 Communicate your value

4 Follow up and maintain relationships

5 Here’s what else to consider

Research Management

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