1. Determine what kind of feedback you need.
Are you starting a grant? Or resubmitting one? Please read about the different kinds of modeling parties before you schedule one.
If you are...
- starting a grant (type 1), you should schedule your modeling party at least 3-4 months before the due date.
- refining a grant (type 2), you should schedule your modeling party at least 3-4 weeks before the due date and one month after the type 1 modeling party.
- resubmitting a grant (type 3), you should schedule your modeling party at least 2-3 months before the due date.
- redesigning your analysis and/or interpretation, you can be flexible when you schedule your modeling party.
Sometimes these time frames will not be realistic. It is still better that you receive feedback on your grant even if the timing is not perfect. But you will need to be more flexible with scheduling and potential attendees as it is harder for others to attend on a short notice.
2. Contact the research office to schedule a modeling party.
Modeling parties may be requested by emailing onrhelp@uw.edu.
The Grants Manager or Grant Specialist will contact you with some potential times. After you have approved time slots, ONR staff will check with the reviewers and determine the best possible time. Once a time has been scheduled, ONR staff will let you know which reviewers will be present.
3. Prepare the materials for your modeling party.
The following materials are required for each type of modeling party.
If you are...
- starting a grant (type 1), provide a rough draft of the grant narrative. An outline does not count as a draft as it is not complete enough to provide useful information to the reviewers. The narrative should use the same sections and headings as the completed grant. This will allow the reviewers to get a better picture of what you intend to submit.
- refining a grant (type 2), provide a near final draft of your grant. The draft should be roughly the same length and level of completeness of the final draft. All the "fill in here" markers should be gone and replaced with pertinent information. Also, come prepared to talk about how you have incorporated the suggestions from the type 1 modeling party.
- resubmitting a grant (type 3), provide the final draft of the grant that you submitted to the funder and the critique that the funder sent you. If you have already started to make changes to the grant, provide a draft of the grant with the changes clearly marked so the reviewers can differentiate the edits from submitted text.
- redesigning your analysis and/or interpretation, provide a final draft of the grant. Provide a detailed draft of how the proposed changes will be explained in the next progress or final report. This should include reasons for the change and why the original plan is not being used. Include a draft explaining the new analysis or interpretation.
4. Disseminate the materials for your modeling party.
The reviewers should have copies of the new materials at least a week prior to the modeling party. Most reviewers prefer to have electronic copies emailed to them so they can access them remotely. When you email the materials, please make sure that all reviewers are included.
5. Review your feedback.
If the reviewers suggest major structural changes, you may want to determine how this will affect your grant submission. You may want to schedule a second modeling party in a few weeks to revisit the changes. The changes may also require you to change your submission date so you have enough time to submit the best grant possible.
