Time Management and The Grant
Rachel Throop Weingarten Learning Resources Center 215.573.9235 www.vpul.upenn.edu/lrc
Agenda TODAY YOU WILL: Construct a grant management timeline Complicate the timeline - consider possible
problems, glitches, and ways to juggle multiple tasks Discuss grant management tips and best practices Questions and Discussion
Today’s Takeaway Grant success often comes down to…
EFFECTIVE TIME MANAGEMENT!!!
Scenario Discussions ď‚— Group Activity:
-Work through the scenario to construct a timeline. You can work on your own or with one or two people near you. -If you finish early, feel free to consider the complications on the back side of the scenario sheet.
Start With Perspective and Familiarity Keep the grant in perspective. What is its relative
importance to your research career? Do not make it bigger than it needs to be. As soon as possible, allow time to read the RFP or
proposal guidelines through at least twice. Play with the website, and familiarize yourself with all components. Immediately contact the foundation or a reliable
local source if you do not understand portions of the RFP or need clarification.
Process of Drafting and Re-Drafting There is no perfect grant. Think long and hard about your audience. Then: Get a draft done and GET IT OUT! Get another done, and GET IT OUT! Get another done, and GET IT OUT! There is no perfect grant.
Set Realizable Goals - Chunking Break the task up into parts that, when all taken
together, comprise the whole. These parts WILL BE SMALLER than the list of “parts” given by the grant. Decide your approach to these subsections –
conceptualize them in an outline, annotated outline, or concept map.
Avoid Procrastination!!! Why do we procrastinate?
Perspective, chunking, asking for help
Be kind to yourself.
Scheduling Use planning tools that work for you. Translate the language of pages into the language of tasks. Set
calendar date deadlines, and overestimate! Post due dates on a calendar that you keep at your desk. Share
due dates with your chair if possible, and with a friend or writing group. Keep a weekly calendar with writing time designated – writing
time is sacred! Ask for references EARLY. Give them at least one month. Ask
again at two weeks, again at one week, and follow up if they have not submitted.
Scheduling Continued Leave plenty of time for institutional approval – do it
early. Request transcripts as soon as you know about the grant.
Keep a good PDF of all official transcripts (sometimes this suffices) and several sealed officials on hand from all institutions as backups. Know when to cut your losses when you are juggling
multiple proposals. Prioritize, and keep perspective.
Reflecting and Trouble Shooting Review your progress and adjust your schedule – the secret to
scheduling is rescheduling. Revisit your early assessment of the grant’s importance to your
career. Remain positive, present, honest, and guilt free!
Find a writing buddy and/or come into Weingarten if you need
more support.
Questions and Comments? Come see us if you’d like.
You can meet with a learning instructor by:
Calling 573-9235 to make an appointment
Coming to walk-ins, M-F 12-3pm
We’re also a nice, quiet writing space