Ask a question that requires investigation, a question to which you do not already know the answer.

Preference given to projects that show potential for new empirical inquiry and discovery, for generating and analyzing reliable new data.

Grants enable something special, something over-and-above your daily work funded by existing resources.

Budget for project activities that strategically support your research with additional resources of time (a course buyout), tools (interview transcription and coding), and talent (research assistants).

Instead, identify a manageable, coherent subset of project activities that will contribute significantly to your larger research plans.

Include specific details about research protocols and procedures for data gathering and analysis.

Some technical language may be necessary, but craft proposal in clear, accessible prose that can be grasped by academic colleague from another field.

If your project involves academic leave, a course buyout, or IRB approval, talk with your dean or department head straightaway to get the ball rolling.

Writing reference letters is an art; recruit colleagues who are especially skilled in crafting letters that make a compelling case for you and your project.

As soon as you have a have a research project in mind, email a brief outline to AssociateDirector@louisville-institute.org to receive feasibility feedback. LI staff can help you discern whether to develop your ideas into a full grant proposal.