{"id":284,"date":"2018-01-31T10:12:05","date_gmt":"2018-01-31T15:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.virginiawestern.edu\/grants\/notes\/?p=284"},"modified":"2021-04-12T20:42:18","modified_gmt":"2021-04-12T20:42:18","slug":"if-youre-having-trouble-coming-up-with-ideas-for-the-innovation-grant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.virginiawestern.edu\/grants\/2018\/01\/if-youre-having-trouble-coming-up-with-ideas-for-the-innovation-grant\/","title":{"rendered":"If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas for the Innovation Grant …"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Project<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How are those Innovation Grant proposals<\/strong> going?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve been hearing some good questions from your colleagues about the process, and I thought I would post some tips for generating grant-winning ideas. Here are five:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Think “Project Runway”<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So if you’ve ever chatted with me for more than 5 minutes, then you probably know I’m a huge fan of “Project Runway.” I’ve watched this fashion competition since the first episode in 2004. I love Tim Gunn and the “unconventional materials” challenges the most, but I also reference the show when trying to explain the creative process. Specifically, how constraints tend to bring out the most creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, the show is built around challenges for fashion designers: Limited time (usually a day or two), a limited budget ($200 at most) and a specific focus, such as fashion that looks good under black lights … or dresses made only out of stuff sold at a grocery store …. Or an outfit for professional stiltwalkers (this was real).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So when I’m asked about coming up with winning grant ideas, I analogize with “Project Runway.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of yourself as the creative designer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The grant rules and regulations …. i.e., the maximum budget, the allowable expenses, the funder’s mission (in this case, student retention!) … are the creative constraints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your job is to create a beautiful project within those constraints. Sometimes you have an idea that will work perfectly within those limits … and then sometimes those limits push you to a place you could have never imagined. I find that process exhilarating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Try not to look at grants as extra work …<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I know … you’re busy. We’re all busy. The last thing we want is to add more to the workload. So instead of approaching grants as one more burden, look at them as a tool for fixing problems. What are your pain points? What problems do you encounter in your classrooms, in the college’s processes, etc.? What are you always complaining about? How might a grant help address those problems… and might that solution benefit students and the whole college? A grant will help you prototype a possible solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Build on our strengths<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On the flipside, consider the vast resources Virginia Western already offers. What do we do *really* well? This is the first example that comes to mind: We have lots of parking lots, so potential room for mobile services and food trucks. We now have a presence in the emerging downtown Roanoke “innovation corridor” through our involvement with the RAMP business accelerator … so how might we use that space? I’m sure there are many more examples. What do *you* do really well? What do you love the most about your job? How can we amplify your strengths … and strengths of this college … in a more innovative way? In the grants world, we like to use the fancy word “leverage” … how can we better leverage our resources?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. This is professional development. <\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I lifted this idea from a Fast Company story about rethinking your career<\/a>: Imagine your best, actualized self in 10 or 20 years. What are you doing? And what steps do you need to take tomorrow — and next year — to get there? Which leads me to this question: How might proposing a grant project help you grow out of your comfort zone and expand your professional horizons? I guarantee you will meet new people and learn more about the college and your community by going through a grant process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. This is not time wasted … even if you FAIL.<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Speaking as a recovering perfectionist … the kind of high-achiever who tried to avoid failure throughout my formal schooling years  … this has been one of my hardest life lessons. Yes, going through the grant process will take time. It will take effort. And you’re not guaranteed a payoff. The grant might not be awarded at the amount you requested … or at all. And that’s OK. You spent that time focusing on an idea that you love. You thought it through … you talked about it with colleagues, some of whom you hadn’t worked with before. There might be a better grant opportunity right around the corner. Or the idea will morph into something else … and get stronger. You are exploring and planting seeds and moving forward … and hopefully having fun. So don’t be afraid to just try. You never know where your first idea will lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t forget! If you plan on submitting a proposal, consider signing up for the Innovation Grant Workshop<\/b> (perhaps with your collaborative partner?).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m piloting some small, 1-hour workshops in the grants office on two dates so far … Wednesday, Feb. 7<\/b> (10 to 11 a.m.), and Thursday, Feb. 8<\/b> (3 to 4 p.m.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the workshop, we’ll go through the application step-by-step. Bring your questions … and a laptop or iPad if you want to write or edit your proposal as we talk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I may schedule additional workshops (in groups or one-on-one) depending on the demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please sign up for the limited number of spaces at this link:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

http:\/\/www.signupgenius.com\/go\/5080c4aadaa28a1f85-innovation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or reach out to me directly if those times\/days don’t work for you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stephanie O. Seagle |  sseagle@virginiawestern.edu | 857-6084.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in case you missed it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking about an Innovation Grant? Don’t skip these important first steps<\/a> (with downloadable grant application)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How are those Innovation Grant proposals going? I’ve been hearing some good questions from your colleagues about the process, and I thought I would post some tips for generating grant-winning ideas. Here are five: 1. Think “Project Runway” So if you’ve ever chatted with me for more than 5 minutes, then you probably know I’m… Continue Reading If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas for the Innovation Grant …<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-284","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"featured_image_src":null,"author_info":{"display_name":"","author_link":"https:\/\/www.virginiawestern.edu\/grants\/author\/"},"yoast_head":"\nIf you're having trouble coming up with ideas for the Innovation Grant ... - Grants Development & Special Projects at Virginia Western<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Blog post: If you're having trouble coming up with ideas for the Innovation Grant ...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.virginiawestern.edu\/grants\/2018\/01\/if-youre-having-trouble-coming-up-with-ideas-for-the-innovation-grant\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"If you're having trouble coming up with ideas for the Innovation Grant ... - 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