{"id":10687,"date":"2022-03-02T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-02T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.virginiawestern.edu\/grants\/?p=10687&preview=true&preview_id=10687"},"modified":"2024-12-18T17:40:47","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T22:40:47","slug":"innovation-grant-lab-series-finish-line-march","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.virginiawestern.edu\/grants\/2022\/03\/innovation-grant-lab-series-finish-line-march\/","title":{"rendered":"Innovation Grant Lab series: Finish line! (March)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Image by Pixabay<\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Hello, and welcome back to our asynchronous workshop series, How to Design a Successful Innovation Grant<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The series began in September, and it ends this month, when Innovation Grant proposals are due to the Virginia Western Educational Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s review some of our Lab Lessons<\/strong> so far, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1:<\/strong> Grant proposals are not time wasted … even if you FAIL<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2:<\/strong> Know the rules of the game<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3<\/strong>: Focus on NEEDS first, solutions second<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4: Begin with the budget<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5<\/strong> Relationships are the secret sauce<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6<\/strong> Baby steps work<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7: Assume success<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So we’re here … March 2022, and applications are typically due the last Friday in March. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That brings us to our final Lab Lesson #8<\/strong> … Respect the details<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fine print is important, especially when it comes to grant applications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have come so far during this series — you have really thought about the big-picture goals, you understand the needs, created a budget, talked up your idea, and you’re expecting success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now we have to follow the specific directions in the application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Re-read the first page of the application again, very closely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hopefully you noticed the signatures required on Page 1<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there are EARLIER deadlines for your Supervisor (2 weeks prior to submittal), and the Vice President of your division (1 week before submission).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This may seem like more bureaucratic hoops, but these advance signatures are required for a reason: Your Supervisor and VP need adequate time to read and approve your proposal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But since you’ve been working so far ahead — chatting up your idea with your supervisor all along — the signatures should really be a formality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what’s next?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are submitting your proposal! Just be sure to:<\/p>\n\n\n