There are few sources of funding available to philosophers for the support of research in philosophy outside of their own institutions. Most extramural research for philosophers is in the form of a dwindling number of research fellowships, which typically provide limited amounts of salary replacement funding for periods ranging from a few months to a year, and little else. Except in a few areas of philosophy with scientific or public policy connections, research grants of the sort with which those in scientific disciplines are familiar are nonexistent. Success in obtaining external funding thus is not an appropriate criterion of research quality and recognition in philosophy. Philosophical research is carried on and communicated in many ways, including seminars, colloquia, informal discussion, and now electronic exchanges, as well as publication in print.
Philosophical essays vary greatly in length.
Some may be brief discussion notes, while others may approach monograph dimensions. In either event, they rarely have the character of the reports on empirical studies that are common in some disciplines. It is more common for portions of dissertations to appear in the form of extracted articles. At any stage of a philosopher's career, the development of a substantial essay of sufficient quality and interest to be published in a good philosophical journal requires considerable time and effort. Substantial essays of high quality and promise, either published or accepted for publication in good journals or anthologies, supplemented by other evidence of involvement and recognition in the life of the profession, are generally regarded as a strong showing for philosophers during the early years of their careers prior to tenure decisions.