Sharon Cole

United States Grants to Universities: Factors for Success in Obtaining Funding Sharon Cole

The purpose of this study was to examine a previous funding success model for its use across disciplines in order to identify the significant behaviors, networking activities, and demographic profile that contributed to the successful receipt of United States grant awards. A comprehensive model of funding success was identified. The ability to participate in grant-funded research can be critical to new faculty seeking tenure and to institutions seeking funding to support research activities. Only a few recent studies have attempted to systematically investigate the behaviors that lead to federal grant awards. The investment in academic research is great, with the U. S. Federal government investing $15 billion annually in academic research. This causes fierce competition among research universities, who attempt to increase income and intellectual gain to students. The key to pursuing grant funding lies in discovering the motivators that attract faculty. Becoming a complete scholar is traditionally identified as behavior associated with preparing proposals, participating in research projects, and publishing research results.