I called a senior colleague and arranged to present a seminar to his department. During the dinner that followed, we discussed the work and my proposal. Again, by acting on some pretty good advice, the proposal was funded on the second round. TTT Colleagues can be a major resource in competitive grant writing. We also can visit our granting agencies.
Some universities provide travel money for the purpose.
Think of it as a sort of business holiday. Get a little travel packet, go to D.C., drop in on your program officers, treat yourself to an above-average dinner. TTT When you're in the program officer's office you can discuss your research program, ask questions about the grant proposal reviewing panel and talk about your specific proposal. Visits of this sort help because we can get some straight talk about proposals, and the program officers get a better understanding of us and our University. Of course, you always run the risk of finding yourself on a grant reviewing panel, too.