Writing a Successful CAREER Award Proposal NSF CMMI

Writing a Successful CAREER Award Proposal NSF CMMI CAREER Proposal Workshop March 26, 2012 University of Nevada, Reno Michelle C. Vigeant, Ph. D. Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering & Acoustics Program University of Hartford

Disclaimer �The following advice is based on my experience � Does 2 not guarantee successful submission CAREER Workshop – Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

Biography �B. Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, 2003 � University �Ph. D. of Alberta in Architectural Engineering, 2008 � University of Nebraska-Lincoln �Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering & Acoustics � 2008 3 to Present CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

Research – Concert Hall Acoustics � Design of musical performance spaces requires � Physical measures that quantify subjective qualities � Work 1. 2. 3. 4 integrates 3 areas: Room acoustics measurements Mc. Dermott Concert Hall Simulations to predict Meyerson Symphony Center measures and Dallas, Texas auralizations Subjective impression/response CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

My CAREER Story �Graduate school funded by Advisor’s CAREER Award �Attended � Planned CAREER Proposal Workshop in 2010 to submit that summer, but didn’t… � If submitted in 2010 would have had 4 years for 3 submissions �Submitted 5 in 2011 and was successful! CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

Developing Idea for Proposal � Follow George’s advice – make a strategic plan! � Determine your long term research & education goals � Idea should encompass first major step towards goals � Start Needs to be broad enough to equate to five years of work with overall general/abstract goal � Revise, � Think 6 refine and iterate! about the HOW in iterative process CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

Refinement of Idea � Answer the following for each component (D. Durham) 1. What is the goal and why is it relevant? 2. Why does it matter? � 3. Why YOU? � 4. Describe relevant prior experience, work, and HOW it will fit within your institution’s goals and facilities HOW? ? ? ? � 7 How does it fit with state-of-the art in your field? You must provide a detailed plan!!! CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

Components of a Successful Idea � Must be something you are passionate about � REMEMBER: NSF funds projects that advance science, not work that is primarily geared towards product development � Important that your work relate to a tangible outcome � Not necessary for it to be immediately applicable � Can be a preliminary step 8 CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

Overview of Proposal Writing Process 9 CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

Overview of Proposal Writing Process 1. Preparation 2. Writing 15 pg. proposal and summary 3. Other required materials 10 CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

1. Preparation �Read 4 – 5 successful & 4 – 5 unsuccessful proposals � Find common elements from each type (Do’s and Don'ts) �Successful proposals helped me to create an overall template for the format � Helped me prepare a detailed outline of proposal � With outline, made it easier to tackle and break down into smaller tasks � 11 Find personal “coach” CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

1. Preparation (Continued) �Work on refining idea and then develop key elements of proposal �Contact your NSF Program Director at least two months in advance � With QUESTIONS (remember what George said!) �Contact potential research and educational outreach collaborators well in advance 12 CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

2. Writing the Proposal �Create proposal writing schedule! � Set DAILY goals of what needs to get done � Have self-imposed deadlines to submit drafts to reviewers � Create schedule Section of Proposal Day 1 to have Day 2 two-stage Day 3 review … process … Day n Background Objective 1 … DEADLINE 1 – 1 st Review … DEADLINE 2 – 2 nd Review 13 CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

Possible Schedule – Assuming Working on Proposal FULL TIME � Weeks 1 -3: Write ENTIRE first draft � Weeks 4 -5: Ask 2 to 3 close colleagues to CLOSELY review proposal and provide DETAILED feedback � Weeks 6 -7: MAJOR revisions based on comments � Weeks 8 -10: Send out revised version to larger number of people (~10) with varied backgrounds � Weeks 10 -12: Revise AGAIN and work on document editing and formatting to fit into 15 pgs. ! 14 CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

3. Other Required Materials �In next month, complete the following as much as you can at this point: a) b) c) d) Bio Sketch Current and Pending Support Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources Data Management Plan �Let department chair know in advance so he/she will have know that they will have to write letter � Very 15 important since your ONLY letter of support CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

Components of the Proposal 16 CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

Education and Outreach Plan � Propose activities that are natural fit / extension of your work � Find existing infrastructure that you can incorporate some of your activities into � DON’T propose too much / an amount that is unreasonable � DO devote an adequate amount of the proposal for your education plan 17 CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

Education and Outreach Plan Cont. �Broader 1. 2. impacts has two components: Education and outreach Impact of work on society �Previous outreach & education activities are helpful � Don’t provide a completely “typical” plan �Include funds in budget to support outreach and education activities 18 CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

Letters of Collaboration �Format that I used: � 1 st paragraph: statement of agreement to collaborate � 2 nd paragraph: short bio of collaborator � 3 rd paragraph: what the collaboration will involve � 4 th paragraph: how they know you & relevant interactions 19 CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

Budget �Must show that budget MATCHES what has been proposed � Mostly salary � Not too much equipment �Include funds for travel to 3 NSF grantee conferences �Discuss with Program Director �Consider if possible to have more than one program fund 20 it CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

Data Management Plan �New requirement, not yet well defined �Show have a specific plan to manage and share data � Where it will be stored � How it will be formatted � Must have adequate documentation for someone to understand be able to use data �Discuss 21 with Program Director CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

Final words of advice… �Important to have a clear work plan and delineation of tasks between you and collaborator(s) �Clearly distinguish how the proposed work is DIFFERENT than previous work �Provide a strong reference list to show you are familiar with current literature �Don’t pay “lip-service” to applications of work � Be specific about how your work ties into application � Don’t give a laundry list, but don’t make too narrow 22 CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

Final thought �Remember 23 it’s all relative… CAREER Workshop - Michelle Vigeant 3/26/2012

Thank you for your attention! Writing a Successful CAREER Award Proposal NSF CMMI CAREER Proposal Workshop March 26, 2012 University of Nevada, Reno Michelle C. Vigeant, Ph. D. vigeant@hartford. edu