Main Topic: Research Money

Hosts: Jane Lu , James Stanworth , Clyde Warden

Research money for social science is available in Taiwan and China, and foreign researchers are encouraged to apply. The approach is quite different from Western research grant givingorganizations and in this show Professor Lu joins us to discuss how the process works and what to pay attention to. From where to apply, how to apply, to just how the money is distributed and what to watch out for when spending it.

All three of our hosts have a a combined thirty years of grant writing experience. That includes a lot of rejections, and some acceptances. In Clyde's case, for example, he has had grants ranging from 500K NTD to over two million. The result is an opportunity to produce some quality research without going bankrupt. The system is difficult to adjust to, however, and having a mentor or at least someone to ask for advice is vital. Another vital point is getting an assistant, like a student worker, to help out. Both these points are easier said than done, however, as Chinese researchers are not very open with what they see as their competitive advantages, and students are not often up to the task of Chinese beuracratic systems--even the formalized Chinese is often above thier heads.

Only senior researchers or above can apply for NSC grants, but titles like Ph.D. are NOT required.

A mentor is very important.

Photos:

• 1) The paper applications led to tons of paper in the office! 1) The paper applications led to tons of paper in the office!
• 2) Applications used to go into special bags, sent on the government agency. 2) Applications used to go into special bags, sent on the government agency.
• 3) The thick applications had many pages . . . 3) The thick applications had many pages . . .
• 4) . . . and more . . . 4) . . . and more . . .
• 5) . . . and more . . . 5) . . . and more . . .
• 6) The NSC went totally digital after the turn of the century, starting the process in the late 90s. 6) The NSC went totally digital after the turn of the century, starting the process in the late 90s.
• 7) The NSC site even has a visual help page; just click on the part you don't understand. 7) The NSC site even has a visual help page; just click on the part you don't understand.
• 8) Application forms are now totally online, starting with overal grant data. 8) Application forms are now totally online, starting with overal grant data.
• 9) Buget categories are already determined; the researchers must fit his/her budget into the template. 9) Buget categories are already determined; the researchers must fit his/her budget into the template.
• 10) An overview of the researcher's achievements is a requirement. 10) An overview of the researcher's achievements is a requirement.
• 11) An abstract and introduction . . . 11) An abstract and introduction . . .
• 12) . . . and a list of the researcher's important published papers (emphasis on ranked journals). 12) . . . and a list of the researcher's important published papers (emphasis on ranked journals).
• 13) Research project introduction (which is way too detailed to be called 'introduction.' 13) Research project introduction (which is way too detailed to be called 'introduction.'
• 14) Details are expected--not a general outline. 14) Details are expected--not a general outline.
• 15) A literature review. 15) A literature review.
• 16) Methodology is next. 16) Methodology is next.
• 17) Again, detail is expected. 17) Again, detail is expected.
• 18) Graphics, charts, especially flow charts, are helpful. 18) Graphics, charts, especially flow charts, are helpful.
• 19) A form to specify papers published as a result of past grants, and the ranking of the journal published in. 19) A form to specify papers published as a result of past grants, and the ranking of the journal published in.
• 20) A passing grant will get a budget, which can be radically different from the budget applied for. 20) A passing grant will get a budget, which can be radically different from the budget applied for.
• 21) And at last some money to pay for the work needed in our research projects. 21) And at last some money to pay for the work needed in our research projects.
•  

ConsumerCam:

Show Links:

• NSC Chinese Webpage
  
• NSC English Webpage
• Council of Agriculture Chinese Webpage
  
• Council of Agriculture English Webpage
  

Bottom Line:

• Grants are from government agencies and include social science.
• Every applicant must do all the application for him/herself.
• Applications are totally online.
• The NSC has has English applications and accepts grants written in English.
• At the NSC, peers judge grant merit at the first stage, then committies judge during the final stages.
• Funds are distributed to schools, which then give it to researchers in exchange for receipts from purchases.
• Researchers are normally out of pocket to start with.
• Rules and details can make getting some refunds complicated.
• More detailed grant applications are safer when it comes to getting refunds.

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