Grant Funding Strategies for Action Research Designs

• In Event: Defining Action Research Through Different Lenses

Abstract

Proposing Action Research when applying for federal funds poses numerous challenges. This paper outlines strategies used with an Action Research grant funded for $1.4 Million. An overview of the project and contrasting comments by reviewers who denied funding for a grant proposing similar methodology highlights strategies that work. Federal funding agencies now accept and expect multiple forms of data analyzed in the research design yet “Request For Proposals” restricts methodological flexibility. This paper presents the methodology used in a longitudinal Action Research project and comments by reviewers of a similar grant not funded. Strategies including graphic organizers, headings, and procedures, highlights what works while comments by reviewers of the project not funded provides cues about reviewers methodological preferences.

Author

• Thomas W. Christ, University of Bridgeport