Neuroscience research grants are one of the most important sources of funding for researcher and scholars in the neuroscience field. Scientific research, especially in the field as complicated and sophisticated as neuroscience, may need more funding than what the researcher can afford to spend. Without the much-needed funding, the research may end with failure due to the lack of fund to pay operational costs.
How to Get Neuroscience Research Funding
To get the fund, usually, the scientists are looking for research grant provided by many sources from government agencies to philanthropic organization. Obtaining Neuroscience research grants is not an easy task; it requires patience and effort for a chance of success.
To increase your chance of success in obtaining the research grant you can follow our tips on how to get the Neuroscience research grants. The very first step to get the grant successfully is to know where to look; here we will provide you with information on several organizations that offer neuroscience research grants:
The International Brain Research Organization
The International Brain Research Organization or IBRO has an extension committee named the U.S and Canada Regional Committee that offers various programs. The goal is to support students and scientists from developing countries. For further information about research grant from IBRO, you can visit the IBRO’s US and Canada Regional Committee website at dels-old.nas.edu/USNC-IBRO-USCRC//
The Dana Foundation
The Dana Foundation, the nonprofit foundation based in New York City has a main to raise public awareness regarding the importance of study and research on neuroscience and brain. The foundation offers a Clinical Neuroscience Research Grant to qualified scientists and researcher on brain diseases with acceptable objective according to the foundation standard.
To be considered as candidates to receive the grant, applicants have to submit their research description in short essay and also demonstrate their research cause by providing a promising animal model. The chosen applicant will receive up to $300,000 over three years for research funding. Those who interested in the grant can contact The Dana Foundation, 745 Fifth Avenue, Suite 900, New York, NY 10151, 212-223-4040 or visit the website at dana.org/grants/clinical/
The European Research Council
The European Research Council awarded Advanced Investigator Award to senior researchers with the objective to support a groundbreaking research project in any field of research including neuroscience. The chosen applicant to receive this prestigious grant will receive up to 2.3 million Euros over their period of research.
The Grass Foundation
The Grass Foundation, it is a philanthropic foundation with the aim to promote and encourages study in neuroscience, neurophysiology and related scientific fields as well as support education and research effort in the aforementioned field of study. The grass foundation has relationship with the Marine Biology laboratory, Society for Neuroscience and the American Epilepsy Society.
The winner of this grant will also get priceless connection with those organizations. In order to get the grant the applicant must provide brief description of their research. For further information on Neuroscience research grants from the Grass foundation you can visit the website at grassfoundation.org/grants/index.html or send a mail to P.O. Box 3101, Eugene, OR 97403-0101, 541-346-3540.
Tips to Find and Apply Neuroscience Research Grants
Many researchers want to find and apply for grant funding, but this can be challenging. You have to deal with time consuming process since the grant providers must review your application. Here are some tips on how to get a neuroscience research grants:
Go with large and credible funding resources
Large and credible funding agencies, for instance, National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation can be a good points to start searching and funding your grant opportunities. These funding options are free to access and give more information about how to submit a grant application.
Contact senior researchers and grant office in your institution
Professional researchers have a strong track record of getting fund. They may give you some valuable information and recommend you to some funding sources. Even they can show you their funded grant proposals so you can learn more from their experience.
Moreover, your institution likely provides a grant office. This service can direct you to some grant opportunities and give you more advice about grant application steps.
Widen your Funding Net
Widening your funding net means you can get financial security for the research. You can replace money lost because of budget cuts with smaller awards from various independent sources.
Stay Update
Keep following all updates and news from agencies or organizations in your field is also useful. Searching for some trusted funding options regularly is also important to increase your funding opportunities.
Build a network with your colleagues
Another way to get neuroscience research grants is to build a network with your colleagues. They can provide you some valuable information about funding opportunities. Or, they may have gotten grants that you never have experienced on it. Asking around your colleagues is helpful since they can provide you different points of view.
Cover the requirements from the funding agency
Learn many things about the funding agencies and their regulations to review your application. This way can help you to write an interesting proposal based on the specific requirements of the organizations. In addition, you should not name any grant reviewers in the cover letter since it can cause conflict of interest.
Ask questions
Usually, there are grant agencies who will answer questions related to the whole process of a grant application, from the beginning to the steps of receiving the award. Use this resource to get more information that you cannot find on the website.
Consider working with experienced co-investigators
If you are just starting your career as a researcher and you have no high experience in this filed, then it is possible if some grant reviewers will discount your application. They also have other applications to select. By working with co-investigators that have long-term experience, this can increase the opportunity to get a grant.
Show your skills and research plan
The last thing to do is to show your reviewers that you and your team is coming as the best candidate. Show them your appropriate background and knowledge to do the research. It is important to show that you will do the research based on the budget and time frame stated in the proposal.
References:
- European Research Council Grant for Neuroscience Research – https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/176054.php
- Images: wp.wgmd.com, unr.edu
- (https://www.aje.com/arc/tips-and-tools-for-finding-and-applying-for-research-grants/)
