New Opportunities for Research Development (NORD) / InfoReady Grants

The NORD / InfoReady Research Grants in Research Development Program funds projects that support the disciplinary field of Research Development. For Research Development to enhance the skills of its professionals, broaden recognition and understanding of its activities, and deepen its impact on the scientific enterprise, we need research that defines and standardizes the terms used to identify skills and practices, as well as metrics that allow us to measure both activities and their outcomes for Research Development. Additionally, the field requires academics from other disciplines that take the activities and outcomes of Research Development as subjects for their work. To develop a robust understanding of Research Development and its impacts, we are interested in a wide range of projects, including empirical studies (e.g., surveys, interview studies, case studies, reviews), as well as theoretical, conceptual, and even purely descriptive or definitional studies.

To view previous grants, please click here. For more information on upcoming grant cycles, click here.

NORDP thanks InfoReady Corporation for sponsoring these awards!

Eligibility
Open to all researchers, regardless of whether they are members of the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP). Projects may list more than one investigator, but one individual must be identified as the PI and all correspondence, as well as funding, will be directed to that individual and their institution (if applicable).

Note: We expect most applications to come from Research Development professionals employed by universities or other not-for-profit research institutions. In such cases, NORD/InfoReady grants will be made to the institution on behalf of the PI. Funding for individuals who are self-employed in Research Development, who work for for-profit institutions, or who will conduct the research outside of their institutional affiliation, are still eligible to apply.

Research Topics
While NORD will consider research on any topic in Research Development, (view here to see what has been funded in the past) we are especially interested in research in the following areas:

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: NORD is interested in understanding how diversity, equity, and inclusion are reflected in the Research Development community as that community forms a part of the largely academic environment, and also as a distinct micro-environment within the research enterprise. Specifically, projects could address administrative structures and operations that impact inclusion, salary differentials, power issues, and opportunities for advancement. Topics could also address the strategies that Research Development professionals employ to achieve institutional and programmatic strategic goals around diversity, equity and inclusion. We are equally interested in proposals that explore how important variations across diversity, equity, and inclusion concerns play out in individual (e.g., PhD vs non- PhD) and institutional (size and type of institution, range and types of Research Development offices and positions) contexts. 

• Pipeline: We want to understand where members of the profession come from. This is important for recruiting into the profession and for ensuring that training is most effectively structured. NORD therefore seeks research that explores this pipeline, including the level and types of training, prior experience, experience outside of the academy, etc. 

• Quality Assessment: How is Research Development quality measured and assessed? Projects in this area could include either (a) specific assessment of Research Development activities designed to develop appropriate categories, methods, and metrics, or surveys or (b) reviews intended to understand the range and types of existing quality assessment efforts in Research Development. 

• Distinction from Research Administration: How do Research Development activities differ from Research Administration activities, what is the value add of Research Development activities, and how are they measured? What does it mean to engage in ‘strategic activities’ in the context of Research Development? 

• Effectiveness of Training: Research Development professionals conduct training locally within institutions and nationally in conference and webinar settings, but we have no uniform measures (studies, metrics, or standards) for assessing effectiveness. Research projects are sought in order to develop our understanding of the effectiveness of training programs and how effectiveness should be measured. 

• Resubmission Assistance: A subset of Research Development tasks involve resubmission. Research is sought to understand the nature and effectiveness of resubmission assistance. 

• Limited Submission Processes: A subset of Research Development tasks are associated with competitions to identify candidates for limited submission funding opportunities. Research is sought to understand the nature and effectiveness of practices related to limited submission processes. 

• Intramural Funding Management: A subset of Research Development tasks are associated with competitions to award funds from intramural funding sources. Research is sought to understand the nature and effectiveness of practices related to effective competitions. What makes an intramural grant mechanism impactful? How is return-on-investment measured?

• Collaboration and Team Building: Research Development professionals are often tasked with fostering collaboration, and building and supporting teams in different contexts – e.g., ideation, proposal development, cross-sector networking, etc. Research is sought to understand the nature and effectiveness of the skills and processes brought to bear on these collaboration building activities. 

Types of Research Projects
In order to develop a robust understanding of Research Development and its impacts (locally, nationally, and internationally) a wide range of projects will need to be undertaken. Some of these will be empirical studies (e.g., surveys, interview studies, case studies, reviews) but others must be theoretical, conceptual, and even purely descriptive or definitional. In many ways, the path to Research Development becoming a field must begin with research that helps the field define and standardize the terms used to identify skills and practices, as well as metrics that allow us to measure both activities and their outcomes for Research Development. Additionally, the field requires academics from other disciplines taking Research Development, its activities and its outcomes, as subjects for their work. 

Application Guidelines
All applications will be submitted and reviewed using InfoReady. When the application cycle is open, you may begin your application for the 2022 grant cycle using the link here: https://nordp.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1848872.

Submitters must adhere to the line and page limits specified below to avoid their proposal being returned without review. Proposals should include the following elements: 
1. A Project Description that may not exceed six (6) pages. The project description must be jargon-free and written in terms that would be understandable to an educated layperson. The project description should address the following:
a. Introduction/Needs assessment
b. Objectives/Goals/Research Questions
c. Significance/Impact
d. Methodology/Approach
e. Outcomes/Deliverables
f. Timetable
g. Description of any relevant institutional or other resources or infrastructure

2. A Description of Investigators that may not exceed one (1) page. The document should describe the investigators and their ability to carry out the project. The description should include how the investigators’ relevant methodological capabilities and experience with Research Development support the project. Additionally, descriptions should focus on the investigators’ education and training, work experience (especially work experience in Research Development), prior research products, and any other relevant information that helps to demonstrate their capability to complete the proposed work.

3. A Budget Request and Budget Justification that may not exceed two (2) pages. Travel costs for conducting the proposed research are allowable, but not for dissemination of research results. Facilities and administrative (F&A) costs, indirect costs, overhead costs, and contingency funding are not allowed. Budgets should be prepared for a period of performance up to 18 months, but should not be tied to specific dates, as funding will not be available until a fully executed grant agreement has been completed. 

All proposal pages must be single spaced, Arial 11pt, with a 1-inch margin on all sides.

Regulatory Compliance
If the proposed project involves the use of human subjects, approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) must be obtained before work can be initiated or else the applicant must clearly state why this approval is not required. The Principal Investigator (PI) can submit the compliance approval after the application has been approved for funding. Confirmation of compliance approval is required before funds will be disbursed.