Funding education technology research: Tips for writing research grant proposals

Sometimes, money is required to investigate the questions educators would like answered about education technology. Funding may also be required to achieve opportune impact. At times, financial resources are required for both data collection and dissemination. For example, educators might wonder whether virtual reality derives equivalent educational impact for children and adults. They may require travel funding to observe and talk to learners in multiple contexts. They might discover that adults require personal hands-on evidence of the possibilities of virtual reality and, therefore, require funding to put on master classes.

The solution is to apply for research and grant funding. However, research grant funding is highly competitive. The success rates of applications for Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching Innovation and Development Grants, for example, range from nine to 15 percent. This article provides tips for writing proposals to increase the likelihood that grant proposals for education technology research are successful.