Are you interested in expanding your research horizons and funding opportunities?
Winning grants from the United States
Are you interested in expanding your research horizons and funding opportunities? If so, you may wish to consider applying for grants in the United States!
From our experience at UTS, success rates can sometimes be higher for research applicants across a range of disciplines than in Australia due to the United States’ large and diverse research landscape. With many funding agencies and programs supporting international collaborations and innovative projects, there is a wealth of opportunity to discover.
Among UTS researchers who have been successful in attracting funding from the States are Professor Igor Aharonovich, Associate Professor Yuen Yee Cheng and Dr. Tisha Dejmanee who each shared their experiences in a recent Research Café.
Igor said that the most effective way to attract US funding is to pitch the benefits of your research to the grants manager.
“Do not be shy about directly approaching grant managers and telling them about your research and why it is worthy of funding,” he said.
“Unlike in Australia, it is the grants manager who will ultimately recommend you for funding. That’s why it’s important to go to as many conferences as you can, get to know relevant grants managers and use this opportunity to pique their interest in your work!”
Do not be shy about directly approaching grant managers and telling them about your research and why it is worthy of funding.
Igor said that once you are known to these managers and win your first grant, the funding flows.
“It’s been a constant stream of funding for our team since we were first awarded funds for our quantum technology work around 2015,” he said.
Accessing this funding stream has enabled Igor’s group to expand collaboration with other labs across the US and accelerate networking opportunities.
“Many of the schemes provide both travelling and exchange grants, so we are constantly hosting researchers as well as enjoying visits to the US laboratories,” he added.
Yuen agreed that funding is plentiful in the United States when compared to Australia. However, she recommends researchers be tenacious in their approach.
“I applied for numerous schemes before landing on my current biomedical research project with Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs,” Yuen explained
She is now focussed on pursuing targeted opportunities. “By making sure you apply for the right program and preparing thoroughly by gathering sufficient preliminary data, following the guidelines to help structure the proposal and seeking external reviewers' comments before submitting, you have a better chance of success.”
Tisha was surprised at how many different grants are available and was thrilled to receive funds from the Embassy of the United States through its annual public affairs grant program.
The funding enabled her to gather a group of academics and PhD students to engage in a research development and knowledge exchange workshop with counterparts from the Asia Pacific Center and Asian American Studies department at UCLA.
“It was Maggie Wang from the Research Office who suggested that I apply for this grant, and she provided support during the application process,” explained Tisha.
“This funding enabled us to develop awareness of how Australian and US-based researchers are studying issues relating to the Asian diaspora, pacific and Indigenous studies. It was an especially valuable experience for the postgraduate students involved, not to mention the collaborative relationships we have developed with universities in the United States.”
This funding enabled us to develop awareness of how Australian and US-based researchers are studying issues relating to the Asian diaspora, pacific and Indigenous studies.
Attend the Navigating US Grants workshop
Maggie Wang and Leesa Smith from the UTS Research Office invite all those hoping to attract funds from the United States to attend an upcoming grants workshop. “While there is an abundance of opportunity, applying for US grants can also be challenging and confusing, especially for those unfamiliar with the requirements and expectations of its systems,” said Maggie.
“In this workshop we plan to cover what are the key differences and similarities between US grants and ARC/NHMRC grants and introduce you to the people and resources you can approach for support.”
“Researchers who’ve successfully secured US grants or collaborated with US partners will also be on hand with insights and tips on how to work with funders and researchers, as well as what to expect from the application and review process,” added Sandra.
Workshop details
This workshop is designed to prepare UTS academics to uplift their global research strategy and apply for US grants. It is open to all UTS staff and HDR students or anyone interested. We look forward to seeing you there!
When: 10-11am, Thursday 15 August
Where: RES Hub event space, UTS City Campus, Building 2, Level 5, Location 250.
Registrations essential for this in person only event.