In the scholarly publishing life cycle, "Creation" refers to the process in which research is proposed, funded, written, and reported on. While many academic programs teach us how to research and write, the process of obtaining funding in order to pursue that research isn't always taught to students or made transparent to early career academics.
In this guide, you will find:
Funding sources vary by discipline. However, there are some general categories of funding that apply across areas of study.
These are grants or funding streams provided by your institution. There is no centralized location at Shoreline CC where internal funding opportunities are listed.
In the United States, the federal government is a common source of research funding. GRANTS.GOV is a tool that searches for discretionary funding opportunities across federal agencies. This resource also provides learning tools for applicants. In Canada, you can find a similar tool here: Canadian Government Research Funding and Awards.
Professional organizations are a great option for funding and grants. Here are some examples based on programs available at Shoreline CC:
Like with the other categories, obtaining corporate funding requires a delicate balance between furthering your own research goals and meeting the needs of the company. If your work intersects with a corporation's goals or aims, seeking corporate funding may be an option. Some corporations have specific foundations or initiatives that provide funding, while others may be available by request or solicitation.
Keep in mind that some funding sources are looked on more favorably than others. Corporate funding, especially, can often draw suspicion. When considering a funding source, it is important to ensure that your research goals are ultimately being met and that your integrity as a researcher is never compromised. You should never be asked to slant results based on the needs of your funder.
You can find more information on funding sources at the following links:
Once you've identified some potential funding streams, your next step would be to write a proposal. While grant writing may differ slightly across disciplines, there are some main elements to consider when approaching a proposal.
Below, you will find some additional reading and helpful guides on how to write a quality grant proposal.
