Few areas can go forward without some financial support. For example, funds are needed for travel to conferences, to conduct fieldwork, and to work with colleagues. Monies are needed for equipment, materials, and supplies, as well as for salaries. In addition, being successful at writing grants ensures advancement and is key to national and international visibility and to promotion and tenure. In almost any discipline the key is to develop teams.
Ideas generated by team members then become superimposed, which enhances what can be accomplished.
Also, students participating on teams add new dimensions because they become dedicated to accomplishing a goal, and their dedication greatly expands the capabilities of the principal investigator. Funding implies 'product' demand and demand implies interest and potential jobs. Graduate students are attracted to resources and hence, funding guides the next generation. Assuming you have a good idea for a significant contribution, Dr. Barron offered the following twelve guides on how to be successful in grant writing. Do Your Homework Agencies, corporations, and foundations have strategic plans, missions, directed announcements, and program descriptions.