You wrote:
 I find this an interesting interpretation of my posting.  I didn't
think
 the question had to do with assisting faculty in all the ways herein
 described.  I thought it had to do with dedicated grant writers, or
 "hired guns".
Betty

Speaking for "hired guns" everywhere, let me say that at times our services
are indeed needed.  As others have already mentioned, it is possible for
very talented researchers to be less than stellar written communicators.
Many reasons can be sited, including language barriers.  America attracts
the top-notch faculty members from all over the world. The services of a
dedicated grant writer can greatly benefit those for whom English is a
second or third language.

While language deficiencies contribute to the growing number of grant
writers, I believe that the overwhelming reason for our existence is time -
or rather the lack of it.  Health professionals, in particular, are
hard-pressed these days to accomplish everything that is expected of them.
Between clinical, research and administrative duties, few have the time to
pursue grant funding.  Having a designated grant writer on staff encourages
faculty members to pursue research and service activities that they
otherwise might have forgone.

Leigh Ann Rowlands, MPA
Center for Health Promotion & Wellness
Department of Pediatrics
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

 ----------

        > ----------
        > From:         Bruce Steinert
PhD[SMTP:xxxxxx@SMTPGW.BEAUMONT.EDU]
        > Reply To:     Research Administration Discussion List
        > Sent:         Thursday, April 23, 1998 11:06 AM
        > To:   xxxxxx@hrinet.org
        > Subject:      Re: Dedicated Grants Development Efforts -Reply
-Reply
        >
        > I, too, agree with Bill. It has been my experience that "if you
can't
        > do it, you can't write it," but not vice versa. A significant
number
        > of the physicians with whom I work are put off by the 'process' of
        > applying. All are capable in their fields and  have no difficulty
        > performing the technical/clinical aspects of the project. They
know
        > what they want to do and how to do it (protocol, materials,
methods),
        > but don't do well filling out the forms. Also, none has the time
or
        > inclination to keep current on the regs (hospital or external),
        > internal budgeting details (fringes, FICA, indirect rate, space
        > charges), which committee approvals to get and how, etc., that's
        > where I come in. The investigators ALWAYS have final authority on
the
        > submission. My input gets them off the bench and into the game.
But
        > once they find out how much fun this is, I could be out of a job.
        > ;-)
        >
        > Bruce Steinert, Ph.D.
        > Department of Urology
        > William Beaumont Hospital
        > 3601 West Thirteen Mile Road
        > Royal Oak, Michigan  48073-6769
        > (248) 551-2572 (voice)     (248) 551-8107 (FAX)
        >