So Jim, when we meet at dawn, don't you feel it should be in a
neutral location? Somewhere out of the jurisdiction of A-110
and A-21? Cancun? Rio?  ;^ )

In all fairness, I think Jim has a valid point. I'd never suggest
outsourcing a basic research proposal. But I would encourage someone
to have as many people as possible do a read of a proposal. When I
wrote proposals (I'm just a plain jane research administrator now) I
always tried to find not only peers and co-workers to review it, but
someone who, while intellegent, did not know what I was trying to
accomplish. It was important to me that they understood the basics of
what was going on.

If your budgets will allow hiring a tech writer to work with, say,
new faculty, or faculty overcoming a language barrier, or those who
ask for assisance--go for it. The science has to be good, of course.
But every little thing to raise that proposal above the others helps
too. Plus, you'd be providing a very visible service to the faculty.
That would be worth the cost and effort in public relations alone.

Gotta run and polish up the ol colt 45. Now where did I put those
silver bullets?
_________________________________________________
David Nevin
Research Support and Grants Administration
University of Kansas

xxxxxx@research.rgsps.ukans.edu
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