The changing funding landscape: ‘Take the road less travelled’
The Dutch research funding landscape is changing. What developments can senior grant adviser Walter van Raaij see? And what are his tips for a successful grant application?
Van Raaij knows both sides of the funding landscape. Before coming to Leiden University he worked at ZonMw, gaining experience of the Dutch Research Council’s (NWO) Talent Programme (Veni, Vidi, Vici). ‘That experience of a research funder’s internal procedures is coming in handy now’, he says. With his Grant Development Team colleagues, he supports researchers throughout the process: from identifying potential grants to providing strategic advice on building consortia and writing proposals.
Drastic cuts
Drastic cuts to the education sector look likely in the coming years. ‘This is causing grant applications to surge at funders like NWO and the EU, for personal grants in particular’, says Van Raaij. Van Raaij expects NWO funding to remain stable or decrease even in the coming years. ‘The planned cuts will directly affect some NWO programmes. Mosaic, for example, the PhD grant for teachers, and the academic infrastructure. But there are new opportunities for other grants, such as a Dutch and European Defence Fund (EDF) for dual-use research and changes to the Dutch government’s top sectors structure.’
Other changes are also happening in the funding landscape. One is the new view of what makes good science. ‘We have moved away from traditional metrics like the h-index’, Van Raaij explains. ‘Other career paths are also valued now, like a teaching profile or valorisation.’ He can also see an increasing focus on specific themes at funders. The National Science Agenda, for example, works with 25 thematic routes, one of which is sustainability. And the Knowledge and Innovation Covenants (KICS) increasingly focus on specific topics.
Four tips for a successful application
Van Raaij has four tips for researchers wanting to apply for a grant:
- Look further than NWO. ‘‘Leiden University has hundreds of different funders, some less well-known. Charity funds, such as the Dutch Heart Foundation or KWF Dutch Cancer Society, for instance, but also local partners or businesses or LUF. And there are around 300 funds in our funding database.’ Van Raaij advises a broad search: look at the target group of the research and where it is taking place as well as at possible partners. ‘These factors can lead to new funding options.’
- Look carefully at the funding requirements. ‘A common problem is that researchers try to squeeze their idea into the funder’s mould. Start by looking at what the funder wants and design your proposal to fit.’ This applies to European grants in particular. ‘Research the funder’s mission and adjust your proposal accordingly.’
- Write in an accessible style. ‘Many funders use multidisciplinary committees to assess applications. Is your application accessible to a lay reader? Imagine a grumpy reviewer sitting at a desk with a flickering lamp with just half an hour at the end of a long day.’ Use clear headings and make sure your goals and work packages align. ‘Don’t make it more complicated than it is and avoid jargon.’
- Use the support network. Researchers can contact the Research Support Portal for advice on grants as well as financial, legal and data management support. ‘The portal helps you find the research support contacts (first-line advisers) at your faculty/institute for each area. They will be happy to discuss your questions and help with the writing process and administrative requirements. And for more complex applications, they can refer you to the central Grant Development Team.’
Van Raaij advises young researchers in particular not to fixate on prestigious grants such as the Veni. ‘The success rate is often only 12-15%. There’s more than one way to gain funding: European grants, for instance. An important tip is to start in good time – a good application takes time.’
Changes in the Funding Landscape
The Grant Development Team and the LUF explained the changes to the Dutch and European funding landscape and funding options at the ‘Changes in the Funding Landscape’ event in December. The Grant Development Team holds more such events. To stay posted see SharePoint.