In recent years, the landscape of research funding has expanded beyond traditional grants. From government-supported grants to innovative crowdfunding platforms, researchers now have more opportunities to secure resources for their research work. With this plenty of options, one question stands out: how can today’s researchers navigate these opportunities effectively?

Held on Monday, 4 November 2024, TDR Monthly Webinar on “Exploring Funding Strategies for Research: A Dual Approach through Grant Writing and Crowdfunding” featured a snippet of research funding. Focus on grants and funding opportunities, this webinar brought together experts and participants from various backgrounds, with dr. Eneyi Kpokiri, currently assistant professor at LSHTM leading the discussions on today’s funding landscape and offering practical advice for early-career researchers.

During the event, Dr. Eneyi highlighted the importance of strategic planning when seeking funds, emphasizing the need to carefully evaluate the eligibility of the location, the institution, also the specific details of the proposal writings and deadlines. “Ensure you have enough time to the deadline to be able to develop your proposal is sound, rich, and thought-through proposal,” She stated, while encouraging researchers to align their proposals with the criteria/regulation to maximize their chances of success.

Attendees engaged actively, a participant asked, “How can networking with program officers enhance our chances of securing a grant?”, dr Kpokiri responded that “it’s always very helpful to initiate discussions and make inquiries with the grant officers or program officers,” reinforcing the value of building relationships in the grant-seeking process. Dr Kpokiri also stressed the importance of collaboration and clarity as essential components.

In closing, dr. Eneyi encouraged participants to remain open to alternative funding sources, like crowdfunding, while upholding rigorous standards of research quality. With this event offering both practical guidance and hopeful perspectives, the webinar aimed to inspire attendees to pursue innovative funding for their research. Could this be the next step for your research journey?

Check out the recorded webinar here