If you have an idea suitable for outside funding, discuss it with your supervisor before proceeding further. This will help you define the scope of what must be done, assess its impact on library functions, and enlist the necessary support to start the proposal process.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- The Larger Need: What problem or issue will this address? Why is it important? Who will benefit from the work done? Why now?
- Overview: What do you want to do to solve this problem? When and how will you do it? What are the expected results? How will you evaluate success?
- Your Strengths: Why is your department, the Library or Cornell University qualified to undertake the project? What resources, background, similar projects make you uniquely qualified to succeed? Who specifically will implement the project? What qualifications and experience do they have? What other units of the Library will be involved in the project?
- Cost, Time, Space, and Personnel: What is the estimated cost of this project? What is the estimated time involved? Will additional space be needed? Equipment? Supplies? What staff effort will be needed? What is the Library's responsibility in terms of cost share? What non-library cost share is expected?
When you can articulate the answers to these questions, you are ready for the next step, assessing the impact your proposal will have on the Library.