JAN 2025 - Grant Proposal

After being kicked out of the Theatre Department and the College of Arts and Science by the Dean of the College for speaking out against her candidate for Chair of the Theatre Department, I lost the ability to apply for grants from the Department and College. Any proposal I wanted to submit would now have to be approved by the provost.

Before working on my application, I asked colleagues about the provost’s responses to grant requests. I heard a lot about how he looked for creativity and for thoroughly thought-out proposals. Some talked about how he’d grilled them, asking questions they had difficulty answering. Several people commented he did not approve many.

I had managed to transfer to the Honors Program, and sought out the advice of the Director of Honors Undergraduate Research. She said, laughing, “It would help if you could figure out several ways to do what you want.”

“You mean like a Chinese menu? Pick from column A, B, or C?” She admitted she was joking, but I thought it was a great idea. I created three columns to propose different ways of doing what I wanted. When I decided I had done the best I could I made an appointment to see the provost.

After a bit of banter, he asked why I had come. “I have a grant proposal and I’ve figured out how to do it three different ways. You can pick the one you like best.”

He responded to my request by laughing. “What’s so funny?” I asked.

“You haven’t asked for my permission. You just told me what you want to do and offered options.”

I looked at him. “I learned a long time ago, if I can avoid asking for permission, I have a better chance of doing what I want.”

He shook his head, looking at me as if I were a creature he’d never seen. “So many faculty come in with grant proposals, and then ask my advice as to how to carry out their ideas. I’ve never had a professor come in, not only not asking for my approval, but telling me I could choose which solution I liked best.

“I like to be well-prepared,” I said. 

He had a twinkle in his eyes when he responded, “Grant request approved. You choose how you want to carry it out. I look forward to reading your final program report.”

He was so satisfied with the report I submitted, he approved all of the grant proposals I subsequently proposed—all without permission.


How do you feel about asking for permission?

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January 2025 Monthly Stories