Social Science and the Environment Network (SSEN) Tips for Applying - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Institute for Social Science Research

Laurel Smith-Doerr Angela C. M. de Oliveira

Social Science and the Environment Network (SSEN)

Tips for Applying

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Goals of today’s meeting

• Brief introduction of the Institute for Social

Science Research (ISSR) SSEN seed funding program

• Share information about what makes a

successful application

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Promoting excellence in social science research

• 1. Research methodology
• 2. Support for external funding
• 3. Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary
• 4. Visibility for social science

Mission of the Institute for Social Science Research:

Four priority areas

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• Professional staff members at ISSR
• ISSR Scholars Program—applications due Feb 1
• Interdisciplinary seminar to develop individual research grant proposals, course

release for selected Scholars.

• ISSR Scholars have over 70% funding rate on first submission compared to 15-

20% average funding rate in the social sciences.

• Seeding new opportunities
• Social Science and the Environment Network (SSEN, previously Working Group in

Sustainability and Social Science Research). Convened spring 2016, proposed seed funding program (Ben Warner, coordinator). Funded proposals in 2017. This is the 2nd round of funding

• Coordinator: Angela de Oliveira
• Administrative support: Kelsey Wentling

Support for external funding opportunities

Karen Mason Grants, Personnel and Budget Manager Jessica Pearlman Research Methodologist

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ISSR SSEN Seed Grant Program

• Why: Supports social science leadership toward

writing a major grant on sustainability issues

• Social science often pulled in at last minute on large

proposals, rather than driving the science

• Sustainability problems cannot be solved without

understanding human, social, organizational dimensions

• Can be competitive advantage for UMass proposals
• Grant: Provides $ and time to develop project
• Try out new ideas, collect pilot data
• Discuss issues with new partners
• Strategize funding targets
• Build interdisciplinary relationships with colleagues
• Your commitment
• Plan to submit major external grant

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TIPS

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First and foremost

• Have an exciting,

important, new idea

• Never,

ever give up

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This may sound silly BUT Read the Directions Carefully

Application Requirements

• Cover sheet
• Title, Names of PIs and contact information
• 200 word abstract in non-technical language
• Proposal narrative
• 1. Proposal summary (3 page max) Brief description of research problem and

specific contribution you intend to make in this area

• Significance of the research
• Specific relevance to environmental social science
• Anticipated methodological approach
• Vision of what differentiates project from standard disciplinary

research

• Funding plan
• Sponsor(s) to whom you anticipate you will submit the proposal,
• A well-conceptualized rationale for approaching this funder with

deadlines

• 2. 2-page CV for each PI and Co-PIs. PI must be TT social scientist
• 3. Budget justification (expected total $5,000; limit $10,000)
• No salaries for faculty permitted, graduate student support okay
• No indirect costs

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Typical Proposal Flaws



Significance not clearly stated

• Research objectives not clear/ specific
• Poor use of theory or no theory at all
• The use of too much jargon

 Lack of Innovation  Methods not adequately defined

• Methods do not match research question

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A GREAT Proposal Needs To:  Be Scientific  Be Important  Have an interdisciplinary collaboration

• Collaboration across Colleges will be

more competitive

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Why does this question/ problem need to be solved?

• That is, why do we care?

Why is this the right approach to answer the question? Why is this the team to answer the question? You want to Answer:

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Best Advice

• Start preparing early
• ASK for feedback from multiple colleagues

and give yourself time to incorporate feedback (starting now!)

• Revise
• Ask for feedback again
• SUBMIT!!!