Building a research program at an American university: strategies for sustainable success
Building a research program at an American university: strategies for sustainable success

Tworzenie programu badawczego na amerykańskiej uczelni: skuteczne strategie

Summary/Abstract: This informational article discusses opportunities and strategies for how to develop an externally funded researchprogram in the American academic environment, specifically in STE M (science, technology, engineering, andmathematics) disciplines. It is presented from a long-term perspective of a faculty member with active research,who has served in all ranks (assistant, associate, and full professor) and has led a large academic department atthe University of Arizona for several years. It is stipulated that the employment offer for a junior faculty includean adequate start-up package which allows to set the research program in motion by establishing a laboratoryand hiring graduate students. The spectrum of funding sources for STE M research is given with a brief annotationof the current funding climate and mechanisms in the USA. As junior faculty face negative submissionoutcomes, strong encouragement and pragmatic advice is needed so that faculty can focus their efforts, persistin grant competitions, and ultimately succeed. Grant planning and submission suggestions that might help inthis process and lead to good outcomes are given. The article concludes with the stipulation that faculty maintainhigh standards of academic integrity, ethics, and quality and not succumb to potentially perverse incentivesto pursue funds just for the sake of generating higher quantitative indicators of their productivity.

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