Most people do something professionally, and they take the routine they do granted. But sometimes the story is interesting to others working in different business. Let's try a story by a scientist.
Last week a colon cancer foundation notified me that my research proposal is going to be funded. I am very, very, thankful for that.
Unlike other award notices like the Academy award for movies, a scientific grant award notice is not something given for the past accomplishments. The award notice is for future accomplishment. It is basically telling me that I got the contract through competitive bidding. The notice marks the beginning of the work on my part.
They like the application's idea, they believe that the project can be done by the team, and they think the results or "returns" would match their cause or purpose. Then they invest their money. That is the nature of the contemporary scientific grant business.
Accordingly, what I did first was to contact my university's grant office, where they handle all grants and contracts. Next I did was to read my own proposal. If the project has not been initiated already, I need to refresh my memory to get the job done. Then I made a list of tasks and of reagents to order. I got to think through the project again.
When the grant office set up a new account and when we see the money, I'll start the ordering.
Incidentally, this time of the year, usually all December, is a work planning session time for me. Time to work with notepad and write down what should happen in 2014 (and beyond).
The planning is like, "Now I got the grant and start this project, so I'll get the results by this time and I will be writing paper manuscript by this time. Based on the results, I'd be able to develop another project by this time. Perhaps I can merge the results with those from another project and develop the other proposal due on October, etc."
Science does have a moment of excitement ("Eureka!!!") not unlike the rush in fishing or hunting. But as a business, it is much more like farming. Knowing when to plant seeds of this crop, when to tend to, and when to harvest..... I did not get much of this aspect of science in my graduate school.
Only when you see science as a small business from the standpoint of a project leader (or a PI, Principal Investigator), you can see these.
When we read scientific journals and magazines, these everyday operations are not told. Only results. This should be the same for other businesses and industries.
