A closely related idea that seems slightly more promising to me: asking other EAs, other grantmakers and other relevant experts for feedback—at conferences or via other means—rather than the actual grantmakers who rejected your application. Obviously the feedback will usually be less relevant, but it could be a way to talk to less busy people who could still offer a valuable perspective and avoid the “I don’t want to be ambushed by people who are annoyed they didn’t get money, or prospective applicants who are trying to network their way into a more favourable decision” problem that Larks mentions.
I had one group ask me for feedback on their rejected grant proposal at a recent EAG and I was confused why they were asking me at the time, but I now think it’s not a bad idea if you can’t get the time/energy of the grantmakers in question.
(Apologies if this is what you were suggesting, PabloAMC, I just thought from the thread on this comment so far you were suggesting meeting the grantmakers who rejected the proposal.)
A closely related idea that seems slightly more promising to me: asking other EAs, other grantmakers and other relevant experts for feedback—at conferences or via other means—rather than the actual grantmakers who rejected your application. Obviously the feedback will usually be less relevant, but it could be a way to talk to less busy people who could still offer a valuable perspective and avoid the “I don’t want to be ambushed by people who are annoyed they didn’t get money, or prospective applicants who are trying to network their way into a more favourable decision” problem that Larks mentions.
I had one group ask me for feedback on their rejected grant proposal at a recent EAG and I was confused why they were asking me at the time, but I now think it’s not a bad idea if you can’t get the time/energy of the grantmakers in question.
(Apologies if this is what you were suggesting, PabloAMC, I just thought from the thread on this comment so far you were suggesting meeting the grantmakers who rejected the proposal.)
No need to apologize! I think your idea might be even better than mine :)