Category Archives: grants

Can One Simplify the REF?

Posted on 14 October 2024 by Athene Donald

The REF is much in the news, with some feathers ruffled by UK Day One’s proposal to simplify the whole process, as detailed in their report Replacing the Research Excellence Framework. I am sure there are academics and administrators up … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in grants, James Wilsdon, research culture, Science Culture, Science Funding, The Metric Tide | Comments Off on Can One Simplify the REF?

Friends with Benefits

Posted on 12 May 2019 by Athene Donald

A recent study shows – in Switzerland at least – that nominated referees judge grants more favourably than those unconnected with the applicant. I’m afraid I didn’t find the conclusion of the study a surprise. Additionally I suspect that having … Continue reading →

Posted in ERC, grants, Matthew effect, panels, referees, Science Culture, Science Funding | Comments Off on Friends with Benefits

Even scientists have birthdays

Posted on 24 February 2018 by Steve Caplan

What do you get for a scientist who has everything? Except, perhaps, all the grants and papers he wants….

Posted in Birthdays, grants, humor, manuscripts, peer review, Research, reviews, science, scientists | Comments Off on Even scientists have birthdays

Corruption is contagious: just ask the former US Health and Human Services Secretary

Posted on 30 September 2017 by Steve Caplan

This week, as Caribbean Islands including Puerto Rico are struggling from the horrific effects of Hurricane Maria, as running water and electricity have all but disappeared, and as the first rumors of possible cholera have emerged from the rubble, America’s … Continue reading →

Posted in chartered jets, CRISPR/Cas9, Dan Diamond, Doudna, funding, grants, NIH, private jets, Rachana Pradhan, Research, science, Tom Price, Trump, waste, Zhang | Comments Off on Corruption is contagious: just ask the former US Health and Human Services Secretary

Pending

Posted on 27 March 2016 by Steve Caplan

First, I must say that I feel more than a tinge of guilt at my lack of ‘productivity’ on the OT site in recent months. I would like to maintain that it’s my hectic schedule, science, grants, teaching, papers, reviewing–and … Continue reading →

Posted in damage, flood, grants, lab, pending, Research, science | Comments Off on Pending

Has a career in science become a dog’s life?

Posted on 17 November 2013 by Steve Caplan

Ginger, after retrieving a gazillion tennis balls on a beautiful Sunday morning. “A dog’s life?” Certainly a misnomer if I’ve ever heard one; at least for this dog, life is good.

Posted in careers, dog, funding, grants, investigators, NIH, personnel, proposals, Research, science, scientists | Comments Off on Has a career in science become a dog’s life?

The scientist as a squirrel

Posted on 4 April 2013 by Steve Caplan

What does one need to obtain grant funding in these tough times? *Overcoming obstacles *Fierce determination *Exceptional creativity and ingenuity *Proof of feasibility *Above all, persistence and resilience In short, behave like this squirrel that entertained us all through dinner.

Posted in creativity, determination, funding, grants, humor, ingenuity, persistence, Research, resilience, science, squirrels | Comments Off on The scientist as a squirrel

Are scientists becoming an endangered species? The way we live–now

Posted on 30 March 2013 by Steve Caplan

What spurred me to put pen-to-paper, if that phrase has any remaining meaning, was reading about the recent proposals at the US National Institutes of Health to again revamp the grant review system. The previous revamp, just several years ago, … Continue reading →

Posted in endangered species, grant review, grants, peer review, Research, reviews, science, scientists, survival, the way we live now | Comments Off on Are scientists becoming an endangered species? The way we live–now

Fixing the Numbers (well maybe)

Posted on 19 March 2013 by Athene Donald

This week I read that the Labour party was attempting to redress the lack of women candidates by using all-women shortlists, as women aren’t faring well in open competition to get selected as Parliamentary candidates. In Europe, meanwhile, we see … Continue reading →

Posted in committees, ERC, grants, quotas, Science Funding, Women in science | Comments Off on Fixing the Numbers (well maybe)

Money and the perversion of science

Posted on 12 March 2011 by Steve Caplan

Having just returned the grant review session at the NIH I thought that this would be a particularly good time to bring up something that has been bothering me for a number of years. It’s quite sad, but I’ve slowly … Continue reading →

Posted in funding, grants, money, postdocs, Research, science, students, training | Comments Off on Money and the perversion of science