Good academic research is based on idea and execution. The idea is solely the work of the researcher. However, the researchers also need external support to execute their ideas. The provision of sufficient infrastructure is also crucial for the research. The efforts of the researchers need to be compounded with adequate human resource and funding. Although it is possible for researchers to conduct independent academic research, the scope of such research is rather narrow. In independent research, researchers use only resources available at their disposal.
It is also a standard practice in research that the people involved are benefited directly. However, when funds are unavailable, people procure no such benefit. Many good research ideas die each year due to a lack of funding. It is also an irony that postgraduation and doctorate degrees do not teach students how to secure funds for their academic research. Resultantly, scores of good ideas remain immaterialised. Also, the researchers lose vigour. Obtaining funds for your research is a skill and researchers can learn it via practice. This article intends to highlight some ways in which you can get your academic research funded in 2023. Let’s begin by explaining research funding.
What is Research Funding?
Research funding is defined as obtaining financial means to promulgate your scientific research. It is generally a competitive process in which researchers have to compete for procuring finances. It is a crucial part of conducting meaningful academic research. There are several avenues from which researchers can secure grants. These include governments, international organisations, MNCs and NGOs. They fund academic research projects to have breakthroughs in various fields.
There are also certain requirements for securing grants for your research. You have to have proper academic credentials and showcase interest in a particular research field. A researcher must be able to identify gaps in that research field. Only through this, he can inspire the relevant source to fund his research. In short, the researchers must lay down a complete plan of action with every possible contingency to secure research grants.
Why do Researchers need Funds?
It is a question that intrigues many. What’s the big deal with money for conducting academic research? Although researchers can publish research papers without any external grants, yet large scale academic research projects require material means for their completion. Without adequate funds, the researchers can conduct only experimental and observational research projects with a very small sample size. These researches can yield great case studies, reports and observational studies with good impact factor. However, when it comes to multi-centric studies, experimental studies with large sample size or research projects having large control groups, large-scale funding is inevitable. It is impossible for a single person, institution or department to conduct these humongous research projects. That is why they require external help from a good research proposal writing service.
Top 5 Ways to Get Funds for your Academic Research
From the above discussion, it is clear that researchers require funds to successfully carry out their intended projects. Now let’s discuss some ways in which you can get funds for your academic research. These are given below.
Explore every Avenue possible
The most significant way to get funds for your academic research is to explore all the available opportunities. A researcher must be cognizant of all the organisations, bigger or smaller, that offer grants for research projects. He ought to be aware of the organisations that are related to his field of research. Also, he must reach out to smaller organisations and NGOs to procure grants. It is a fallacy on writer’s part to underestimate smaller organisations or charities. These smaller institutions are replacing governments in providing funds for research projects.
Adopt a Global Approach
There are many international avenues which researchers are unaware of. Reaching out to them and presenting your case can bring splendid opportunities. The world has become a global village. It does not matter anymore which part of the world you live in. Funding research tools can be of great help in this respect. You can become aware of several international research partners. There are a lot of donors out there in exclusion to the names you know.
Narrow your Research
It is always tempting to cast a wide net to grab the most opportunities. However, it is a flawed approach. You should only avail the opportunities in which you are most likely to succeed. Nowadays, advanced research projects are being carried out everywhere. The element of specificity is increasing. A more experienced researcher having a narrow research focus is more likely to succeed in getting funds. That is why it is important to focus on a particular area of research.
Have a Realistic Approach
Fresh researchers get over-ambitious and then face resentment. That is why it is important to have a realistic approach. It is commonplace that researchers expect way too much. However, there is always lesser space available than you think. You need to have a persuasive academic research report. You should have a clear research proposal with defined goals. Your proposal ought to reflect enthusiasm. Moreover, you should not use ambiguous jargon. Most importantly, you need to try again and again.
Avail Opportunities other than Funds
A researcher must not narrow his scope to grabbing funds only. Remember, you can grab other opportunities that are tantamount to grabbing research funds. A tour abroad or attending an international conference is not a funding opportunity in traditional sense, but it can open new doors for you. You get to make new contacts and build social capital. It can help you achieve funding for your academic research later on.
Conclusion
Researchers need external assistance to fund their academic research projects. Securing funds for your research is a competitive process and requires skills. In this article, we have given some tips through which you can secure funds for your research. Be sure to follow these tips if you want to increase your success rate in procuring external assistance.
Read: Top 5 Resources Where You Can Get Free Dissertation Proposal Template
