Q & A with Sarah-Louise Decrausaz
November 25, 2022
Sarah-Louise Decrausaz, Social Sciences Faculty Grant Officer.
Fun fact: “I was a researcher on a couple of seasons of the UK reality TV show Married At First Sight.”
1. Can you explain briefly, what is the role of a faculty grants officer?
The Faculty Grant Officer (or FGO) helps researchers in every aspect of the Pre-Awards process – that is, helping researchers conceive, write and submit funding applications. That means helping researchers find funding that matches their projects, supporting them in writing their applications by providing feedback, liaising with funding agencies to get up-to-date funding information and communicating with other UVic research staff at the Office of Research Services to move applications through UVic’s internal grant review process.
2. Why should a researcher use this service?
Firstly, I can give researchers feedback that’s informed by my own knowledge as a social scientist (I have a PhD in Biological Anthropology) but also is distanced from their project and specific field of research – a very common combination for the kind of reviewer who will be evaluating their grant applications!
Secondly, I can do the busywork of finding out if certain costs are eligible, checking forms etc. whilst researchers can focus on writing their grant application. Thirdly, I can connect you with UVic staff and faculty who you can collaborate with on research projects or who can provide you with information for grant applications you’re putting together.
3. What do you find rewarding about this kind of work?
The opportunity to learn about so many exciting projects and research stories that are coming out of the Faculty of Social Sciences!
4. Why is the review deadline (internal) important?
This deadline (usually 2 weeks ahead of the deadline set by the funding agency) is the minimum amount of time I need to provide a thorough review of all application materials, ensure that there is time to add additional documents (for example, Letters of Support) and make sure that my colleagues in the Office of Research Services have time to review and approve the application ahead of the deadline.
Sometimes this process requires us to send emails to other researchers, institutions or organizations too, so submitting for this internal deadline (or earlier ideally) really helps strengthen and polish the application.
5. When should a researcher contact you for help with a grant proposal?
Ideally, as soon as they think about a grant, even if it’s a year ahead! The sooner the better – this means I can start the work of checking all of the details of the grant (what’s needed, which costs can’t be included, are there other ways of framing the application etc.) way ahead of when researchers start writing their applications. That way once we get to reviewing the application, I’ve had the chance to really know the project inside out and can help researchers show their projects in the best light possible.
For more information contact: Sarah-Louise at soscrsc@uvic.ca