Amazon Exclusive: Top Three Reasons To Be Careful When Seeking Grants
Most people see television ads for grants and come to think of them as free money—all opportunity and no risk. While there are some wonderful opportunities inherent in grant funding, it is also important to recognize the inherent risks. The MU Grant Writer Network’s “top three†list may help you understand some of these risks.
#3 Entering into a partnership with an unknown entity
Many grant sponsors expect the projects they fund to be accomplished by collaborative teams. Whether this means bringing multiple disciplines to bear on thorny research questions or bringing the resources of multiple agencies to bear on intractable social problems, current funding trends favor collaborative approaches. To comply with this preference, it can be tempting to create last-minute “mirage†partnerships that look good on paper and at a distance but disappear at close range. The risk here is that your signature on the proposal means that your reputation is on the line with the project. If partners are not intimately involved in planning the project, if you do not have an ongoing relationship, if expectations on both sides are not detailed explicitly, the mirage presented in the proposal is likely to evaporate. When this happens, the responsibility for the proposed work remains and rests with you.
#2 Offering to do the project on the cheap
It is tempting to estimate costs on the low end to give the sponsor a good deal that might convince the sponsor to fund your project. The problem with this is that project costs are likely to be higher than we expect. There are almost always costs we overlook at the planning stage or unexpected turns of events during project implementation that raise costs. A budget that is low from the beginning can set you up to do the project poorly, harming your relationship with the sponsor, your professional reputation, and perhaps other people who are partners or participants in your project.
#1 Participating in a project that lies outside your areas of interest and expertise.
If the project is funded, you will be obligated to do the work. As my dad would say, “Nuff said.â€
With these words of caution in mind, grant seekers must be diligent in choosing the most appropriate funding opportunities and collaborative partners. Don’t be afraid to negotiate with your partners and with the funding agency during budget discussions. With every opportunity comes risk, but it’s important to remember, you can’t win if you don’t play.