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$\hfill 7/15/96$

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\centerline{\bf{Grant Writing}}

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\centerline{session led by Joyce McLaughlin}
\centerline{(Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute;
e-mail:  mclauj@rpi.edu)}
\centerline{notes by Florence Lin}
\centerline{(University of Southern California;
e-mail:  fjlin@mtha.usc.edu)}

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\centerline{Abstract}

These are notes of the grant writing discussion section led by Prof. Joyce
McLaughlin at the Julia Robinson conference held at MSRI on July 1, 1996.
After an introductory discussion on the participants and general funding
sources to consider, the group discussed various issues related to
preparing a proposal, submitting a proposal, and specific NSF programs.

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\centerline{Introduction}

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{\it The participants.}  Participants in this group had interests in ergodic
theory, dynamical systems, fluid mechanics, Hamiltonian dynamical systems,
population dynamics and numerical methods, geometry and applications in
material science, number theory, stochastic processes, and inverse problems.
Several of the participants had successfully applied for grants, including the
NSF postdoctoral grant, the NSF/NATO grant, a Humboldt grant, and the
NSF research planning grant.

{\it Funding sources to consider.}  Besides the National Science Foundation,
for those in applied mathematics, other funding sources to consider include
the Department of Defense (DoD), the Office of Naval Research (ONR),
the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), the Department of
Energy (DOE), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA).  In applying to these other sources, one should apply regarding
a specific project.  The proposal writer should be aware of the problems
of interest to the agency and address central problems in these areas.
Particular NSF programs are discussed below.

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\centerline{Preparing a proposal}

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{\it What to put in a proposal.}
The first paragraph should give the proposal writer's name, her proposed
problem and its importance, why the proposer is the ideal person to solve
the problem, and her expected results.  The second part should describe the
background, the techniques to be applied, and discuss where the results
will lead.  One goal of the proposal should be to convince the reader
of the proposer's
qualifications for solving the problem.

{\it Background to include in a proposal.}
The background should indicate the proposer's progress toward solving the
problem.  Ideally, the proposer should have solved some related problem
in the
past.  One goal here is to convince the reader that the proposer's expertise
will play an important role in solving the proposed problem.

{\it Scope of a proposal.}
The proposal should define a problem set, including long-term goals.
In the course of carrying out the proposal, the researcher may make
some progress along another line.  It is reasonable to mention various
approaches to be taken toward the solution.  Progress is
expected when applying for renewal.

{\it How much to include in a proposal.}
Generally proposal reviewers have integrity, so the proposal writer
need not worry about giving out too much information in a proposal.

{\it Specificity of a proposal.}
While a proposal for several years may lay out the directions of an entire
research program, some proposals may be written for projects that include
only a subset of an individual's full research program,
e.g., a collaboration with one person.  In such a case, other unrelated
projects from the overall research program need not be discussed.

{\it Budget.}
Potential items to be included in the budget include summer salary, funds to
visit senior mathematicians/collaborators, travel funds to attend conferences
and present talks, funds to invite visiting mathematicians to present
seminars, a personal computer.  In preparing the budget, be creative in
selecting items to be funded.

{\it General readability.}
Make the proposal easy for the reviewer to read.  If the reviewer has
difficulty reading the proposal, it is less likely to be funded.


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\centerline{Submitting a proposal}

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{\it Reviewers.}
Pick out people who would know your work as potential reviewers.  Mention them
in the cover letter when submitting the proposal.  Remember that reviewers
may be located outside the U.S.

{\it Contact the program officer with preparation questions.}
For a proposal that may lie in two different areas, such as electrical
engineering and mathematics, contact the relevant program officers before
submitting the proposal.  One area may have better funding than the other.
A general rule of thumb would be that a proposal from a mathematics
department should go to the Division of Mathematical Sciences (of the NSF)
for funding.

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\centerline{Funding opportunities at the NSF}

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This section lists a few funding opportunities at the NSF in approximate
increasing order of experience required.  For further information, see the
relevant program announcements.  The address for the NSF on the Web is
http://www.nsf.gov/

{\it The NSF postdoctoral research fellowship.}
The NSF postdoctoral fellowship can be held by those within five years of
receiving the Ph.D.  It was advised that applicants propose to go to a
city other than the city of their Ph.D.-granting institution.  Considering
the three-year fellowship including the one-year teaching option is a good
idea for those planning academic careers.  Those with tenure-track teaching
positions might take a leave of absence to pursue their research.

{\it The NSF/NATO grant.}
This grant is for mid- to long-range research at foreign centers of research
and requires a rigorous review.  A participant noted that an NSF postdoc could
not be held after a NSF/NATO grant (though another noted that an NSF/NATO
grant could be held after receiving the NSF postdoc). [Note that
regulations such as the one mentioned here are subject to change.]

{\it The NSF research planning grant.}
This grant may undergo a less rigorous review process.  It may be used to
visit a mathematician in the proposed area of research.  It requires a Ph.D.
(but does not require a tenure-track position).  Proposals are submitted
through the institution where the grant will be held.

{\it The NSF career advancement award.}
This grant may be used to work with others.  Though not required, a letter may
be submitted with the proposal.  Proposals are submitted through the
institution where the grant will be held.


\end




Lorraine Pisarczyk
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY 12180-3590
(518) 276-6414
email pisarl@rpi.edu