Funding is critical
to the success of any research laboratory and its researchers.
Universities, health departments and other institutions
like them are constantly seeking both government and private
monies for scientific research and facilities.
HDR continually assists clients with their funding processes,
working with the
institutions to complete the complex tasks associated
with funding applications.
The average preparation time for a government application
is two to four months, but some need much faster turnaround,
according to Jerry Kinkade, HDR planning consultant who
manages this work. "HDR provides drawings, narratives,
cost estimates and schedules specific to the requirements
of the funding agency. HDR also provides needed leadership
by organizing the researchers' scientific mission, vision
and goals and focusing their efforts in justifying the
need for facility funding. We coordinate the matching
of research activities with facilities."
 The
National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a leading benefactor
of
higher education research programs, Kinkade said. In addition
to research, the NIH provides up to $2 million per grant
for facilities, which must then be matched by the receiving
institution.
Gary Nagamori, HDR national director of biosciences, and
two other HDR professionals serve on the NIH Scientific
and Technical Review Board of the National Center for
Research Resources.
"Working on the NIH boards affords HDR opportunities
to see national trends in scientific research and funding,"Nagamori
said, "as does HDR's use of former NIH employees
as consultants to review grant applications." These
activities allow HDR to better advise and coach its clients
in successful attempts to find funding.
Private donor funding requires documents of a differing
nature, specific to each benefactor's needs. Here HDR
identifies buildings, spaces and functions that may be
available for sponsorship. Again, HDR generates documentation,
such as drawings, models, computer-aided designs and other
graphics to assist in the fund-raising process.
When funding is not available or sought after, other creative
avenues to maximize space utilization are available. "Developing
institutional guidelines for grant dollars per square
foot of research space is critical to implementing savings
within existing research space and to creating the best
value for investment dollars," said Chris Ertl, HDR
planning consultant. "The end result is using the
space more economically.
A Funded Space Utilization Matrix allows the institution
to audit space, support
funded research, determine changing space needs, set new
allocation standards and assess needs from a business
perspective."
"These assessments have saved our clients millions
of dollars," Kinkade said.
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Finding the Funds
Funding Fuels Nanotechnology Research