Developing a strategic funding plan can help any researcher. But for early career faculty looking to take advantage of opportunities exclusively for newer investigators, planning becomes even more important. Early career funding opportunities support newer researchers become independent investigators. With many of these awards being highly competitive and prestigious, it’s important to strategize when and how to apply. Below are important factors to consider along with resources that we’ve created to help.  

Timing  

Eligibility for early career funding varies by agency and program, and may be based on tenure status, time since earning your Ph.D., and/or previous funding success. Learn the eligibility status for funding opportunities that you’re interested in so that you are aware of your eligibility window and can plan your applications accordingly.  

Our updated Early Career Resources page features a table of federal funding opportunities for early career researchers, with descriptions of eligibility.

Scope  

Early career funding programs vary in how much preliminary data they expect and how innovative/risky the research can be. Some smaller funding opportunities may be useful for collecting preliminary data or embarking on a new or risky research area, helping you build a foundation for more competitive larger grants. Take time to research different funding opportunities that will help you create a long-term funding plan to support your work.     

See our Grantsmanship Learning Lab module on Developing Your Grantsmanship Strategy for help on developing a five-year funding plan.  

Some early career funding opportunities support teaching as well as research. These programs are great for faculty who are heavily invested in both teaching and research but may not be a good fit for everyone. Researchers interested in funding opportunities that also prioritize education should invest time in making connections to build an education or outreach program that you’re passionate about.  

Preparation  

Plan your writing well before you’re ready to apply. Research what the program requires, what components you could get started on, learn more about what makes a strong proposal, even serve as a reviewer! When you are ready to write, start early to allow you the best chance of success and plenty of time to reach out for help. Our team provides checklists, samples, templates, editing support, and more to help our researchers have the best chance of success funding their work.   

Bottom Line  

Funding success takes planning, from designing a long-term funding strategy to support your research program to preparing a winning proposal. We have a lot of resources to support UC Davis faculty, especially those early in their careers, so feel free to reach out to us at pds@ucdavis.edu.