Empowering citizen science initiatives: Resources, funding, and proposals

2. The funding landscape for citizen science

This module delves into the various funding entities that actively endorse CS initiatives and elucidates strategies for aligning CS research portfolios with these funding prospects. This module also imparts valuable insights into crafting compelling grant proposals that have a higher likelihood of success, uncovering the secrets to securing funding for CS projects. It introduces learners to funding opportunities and strategies for citizen science proposals. Learners should be able to foresee funds for citizen science activities and develop ideas for targeted funding of citizen science projects.

Module description:

What?	How?	Why?
Introduction to databases such as Research Professional	Guidance for using Research Professional (or similar database) to discover information about available funding opportunities.	Giving the learners insights on how to use existing resources to identify potential funding sources.
Examples of funding programs that support citizen science and the reasons why	HorizonEurope, Sparkling Science 2.0, Earthwatch Research Funding, project-initiated seed funding (IMPETUS), …	Demonstrating that there are several funding opportunities for citizen science projects, each with a different scope and different eligibility and evaluation criteria
Secrets to writing a winning grant	Tips of the trade: Do extensive research of the available grants and noting differences in the types of project financed by various funding bodies; pitching your proposal; the write stuff; communicating your idea effectively; what not to do	Providing learners with tips on how to avoid application pitfalls

Slide (available in slide deck)