I wouldn’t rule it out, but typically we might say something like: We are interested in principle, but would like to wait for another 6-12 months to see how your project/career/organization develops in the meantime before committing the funding (unless there’s a convincing reason for why you need the funding immediately).
(The following is just my view, not necessarily the view of other EAIF managers. And I can’t speak for the LTFF at all.)
FWIW I can think of a number of circumstances I’d consider a “convincing reason” in this context. In particular, cases where people know they won’t be available for 6-12 months because they want to wrap up some ongoing unrelated commitment, or cases where large lead times are common (e.g., PhD programs and some other things in academia).
I think as with most other aspects of a grant, I’d make decisions on a case-by-case basis that would be somewhat hard to describe by general rules.
I imagine I’d generally be fairly open to considering cases where an applicant thinks it would be useful to get a commitment now for funding that would be paid out a few months out, and I would much prefer they just apply as opposed to worrying too much about whether their case for this is “convincing”.
Thanks a lot, this is useful context. I work in academia so the large lead times are relevant, particularly because other ‘traditional’ funders would require applications well in advance. It would be useful to know whether it was necessary to pursue those other funding routes as a ‘career hedge’ or not, for example, via a commitment to funding.
I am interested to hear if anyone from LTFF agrees/disagrees with Max’s assessment in these circumstances.
Is it possible to apply for a grant when the date you would want the funds is quite far in advance (say, for example, one year)?
I wouldn’t rule it out, buttypically we might say something like: We are interested in principle, but would like to wait for another 6-12 months to see how your project/career/organization develops in the meantime before committing the funding (unless there’s a convincing reason for why you need the funding immediately).(The following is just my view, not necessarily the view of other EAIF managers. And I can’t speak for the LTFF at all.)
FWIW I can think of a number of circumstances I’d consider a “convincing reason” in this context. In particular, cases where people know they won’t be available for 6-12 months because they want to wrap up some ongoing unrelated commitment, or cases where large lead times are common (e.g., PhD programs and some other things in academia).
I think as with most other aspects of a grant, I’d make decisions on a case-by-case basis that would be somewhat hard to describe by general rules.
I imagine I’d generally be fairly open to considering cases where an applicant thinks it would be useful to get a commitment now for funding that would be paid out a few months out, and I would much prefer they just apply as opposed to worrying too much about whether their case for this is “convincing”.
Thanks a lot, this is useful context. I work in academia so the large lead times are relevant, particularly because other ‘traditional’ funders would require applications well in advance. It would be useful to know whether it was necessary to pursue those other funding routes as a ‘career hedge’ or not, for example, via a commitment to funding.
I am interested to hear if anyone from LTFF agrees/disagrees with Max’s assessment in these circumstances.
I’m one of the grant evaluators for the LTFF and I don’t think I would have any qualms with funding a project 6-12 months in advance.
Great, thanks for the response.
(Also agree with Max. Long lead times in academia definitely qualify as a “convincing reason” in my view)