Re: outside proposal writers Jackie Givens 15 Oct 2004 13:45 EST

Pam . . .We hired a proposal development specialist in January whose
sole responsibility is to work with faculty on the development of their
proposals.  I think this is working beautifully, and faculty who have
used the service, absolutely love this kind of support.  The person does
not write the proposal for them, but rather, sits downs and discusses
the project with them, sometimes outlines the program solicitation,
gathers institutional data, sets deadlines for the faculty for drafts,
and sends the drafts back and forth until the final project is as good
as it can get, given the deadline.  As director, OSP here at a
predominantly undergraduate institution, I found myself spending an
inordinate amount of time working with faculty on rewrites of their
proposals.  This was necessary if the proposal was to be competitive.
It was a service that the deans and department chairs felt was extremely
important to their faculty.  When it became obvious that this continued
level of support was not going to be possible, given all the other
responsibilities of my job, they lobbied to have a position funded
within this office to provide technical writing assistance.  We have not
had time yet to see if this service results in more funded proposals,
but I do know that the proposals going out are much, much improved, and
more competitive.  The person we hired is excellent, works with all
disciplines, and knows how to work with a wide range of personalities.
We never take credit for the proposals, but I receive accolades on a
daily basis from faculty about the capabilities and service orientation
of the writer.  Most of our faculty do not have the background,
expertise, or confidence to be savy about proposal writing, and more are
being pushed to seek external funding as part of their promotion and
tenure consideration.  This service has helped tremendously in getting
faculty to come to us in a more timely mannner, and I think we will see
that we will receive more awards than previously.  I might add that we
do provide proposal development workshops for all faculty, but this
one-on-one- intensive experience goes a long way to spike their learning
curve!  Jackie

>>> xxxxxx@USFCA.EDU 10/15/04 1:40:47 PM >>>
Dear everyone,

I entered the world of research development and administration as a
proposal writer for the administrative agent for a group of 28 public
school districts.  I enjoyed writing proposals for the school
districts
because I was writing about things in my field of study and interest,
and
the people I worked for needed this kind of help.

When I moved to a sponsored projects' office in a university
environment I
realized that my responsibilities were more complex.  I had to help
novice
faculty learn how to write a proposal without writing it for them.  I
had
to help faculty with experience in writing proposals focus on the
important
narrative while I took care of the forms, budgets and other
administrative
hassles.  I was taught by a wise colleague at the time that if the
faculty
member's proposal got funded and attributed their success to me...I
had
failed.  The goal was to help the faculty member feel that they were
the
"star" of their own show--not me. (Although it was okay if the faculty
member bought me a drink or something!)

This brings me to the issue of hiring a grant writer to help faculty
with
proposals.  I think this is a terrible idea, except for large
institutional
proposals such as the Title 3 application.

I worry that my attitude is due to the fact that I have always
worked--prior to my current position--in mature research institutions.
My
job now is to help a university that is just getting started get on
the
right road--a task that is both enjoyable and challenging!

Lately the issue of hiring proposal writers has come up more and more.
I
am interested in hearing from people that  have advice on if and when
an
outside proposal writer has a place in the growth of a university.  I
do
not want to create faculty that always look to someone else to write
their
proposals, but also I do not want to be RIGID!!!!

Any thoughts?  BTW--course loads here have recently been reduced.

Pamela F. Miller, Ph.D.
Director, Office of Sponsored Projects
The University of San Francisco
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA  94117-1080
TEL  415-422-5368
FAX  415-422-6222
EMAIL  xxxxxx@usfca.edu

"The abuse of greatness is, when it disjoins
Remorse from power."

Brutus, Act 2, Scene 1
Julius Caesar.

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Jacqueline Givens
Director, Office of Sponsored Programs
Kennesaw State University
1000 Chastain Road, #0111
Kennesaw, Georgia 30144-5591
PHONE:  (770) 423-6036
FAX:  (770) 499-3620
WEBSITE:  http://www.kennesaw.edu/osp

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