How to Collaborate with High Profile Scholars

by: Shashikant Nishant Sharma

Photo by Matheus Bertelli on Pexels.com

Collaborating with a high-profile researcher for a grant application is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen your proposal. Here are some recommendations for handling this situation:

  1. Highlight Collaborator’s Expertise:
    • In your grant application, emphasize the specific expertise and achievements of your foreign collaborator that directly align with the goals and objectives of the grant. Highlight any relevant publications, projects, or contributions to the field.
  2. Clearly Define Roles and Contributions:
    • Clearly outline the roles and contributions of both you and your collaborator in the project. Make it explicit how the collaboration will enhance the overall quality and impact of the proposed work.
  3. Condense the CV:
    • While the CV is extensive, you don’t need to include the entire 100 pages. Select the most relevant sections that directly support your grant application. This might include key publications, research projects, and any collaborative work that aligns with your proposed project.
  4. Create an Appendix:
    • Consider creating an appendix for the full CV and provide it as supplementary material. Mention in your application that the full CV is available upon request. This allows the grant reviewers to access additional information if they wish without overwhelming them initially.
  5. Reference Specific Achievements:
    • Reference specific achievements or experiences from the collaborator’s CV in the narrative of your proposal. For example, if they have conducted groundbreaking research in a related area, mention this as evidence of their expertise.
  6. Letter of Support:
    • Obtain a letter of support from your collaborator. This letter can express their enthusiasm for the project, their commitment to collaboration, and how their involvement will contribute to the success of the proposed research.
  7. Contact the Granting Organization:
    • If you have any concerns or questions about the format or presentation of the collaborator’s CV, consider reaching out to the granting organization for guidance. They may have specific instructions or preferences.
  8. Coordinate with Collaborator:
    • Ensure that your collaborator is aware of the grant requirements and is willing to support your application. Coordination is key, and you want to present a united front in terms of the project’s goals and expected outcomes.

Remember, the goal is to present a compelling case for why this collaboration is crucial to the success of your project. Make it easy for the reviewers to see the value that your collaborator brings to the table.

References

Barbara, Sister, and M. C. D. P. Celebrate. “Collaboration.” (1989).

Bronstein, Laura R. “A model for interdisciplinary collaboration.” Social work 48.3 (2003): 297-306.

Gardner, D. “Ten lessons in collaboration.” Online journal of issues in nursing 10.1 (2005).

Thomson, Ann Marie, James L. Perry, and Theodore K. Miller. “Conceptualizing and measuring collaboration.” Journal of public administration research and theory 19.1 (2009): 23-56.