Design for Research Funding

Suppose you are a researcher at a not-so-famous scientific institute. You have a spectacular idea for a new research project; your boss and your colleagues agree that it is highly promising, but no one can help you get the funding. What a bummer!

“This is a recurring problem for many research institutes all over the world,” said the head of research at a Taiwanese hospital. “Some researchers have problems making their good ideas heard and as a result, they do not move ahead.”

Therefore, next October, Orange Gibbon will conduct a purpose-designed session at a medical conference to tackle this very issue. We will get researchers from similar but different institutes to find out if they have different but similar, promising research ideas. We then offer them the opportunity to join forces and create a compelling pitch in front of a “Shark Tank” of industry experts. The experts will give feedback to strengthen the research proposal and may act as sponsors to secure funding.

Normally, this kind of interaction happens purely by chance at Congresses, during coffee breaks or dinners. By designing a specific format that tackles the root of the problem, the chance that these promising research ideas move ahead increases significantly.

It is possible to design solutions and formats for every need, in meetings, conferences and events. As long as the question is clear!

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.