Positioning

Faculty members need to be well positioned as scholars, researchers, and grant writers in order to effectively communicate their ideas and craft successful funding proposals. A thorough understanding of positioning helps faculty members prepare in ways that will strengthen the credibility of the ideas behind their proposals, demonstrate that they are able to carry out their projects, and enhance their ability to communicate what reviewers at funding agencies and foundations are looking for.

Well-positioned scholars are those who publish regularly in prominent journals and at the cutting edge of the evidence or the debate in their field. These scholars also present at local, regional, or national conferences, and are involved in their professional societies.

Well-positioned researchers have established a long-term research agenda to give context to their current work and a trajectory for their plans. Additionally, these researchers have solid working relationships with the populations or partners their research requires.

Well-positioned grant writers know the literature in their field (and know their competition), and have assembled the right players for their research team. They also understand what grant agencies want and have a solid understanding of the guidelines that accompany proposals.

The Research Office assists faculty members with taking steps to become better positioned. These aspects of positioning guide research workshops and programs (such as the PI Academy) to help faculty have successful research careers.

Dave Stone’s positioning articles

• Becoming a Successful Principal Investigator
• How Your Grant Proposal Compares