By Gary A. Auerbach, DC

Chairman of Research, CAA; Member of ICA Research Committee
1980 — Following the NINCDS conference of 1975, definitive comments were made regarding the status of chiropractic research. Dr. Fletcher McDowell, professor of neurology of Cornell University stated the following:

“In the area of diagnostic techniques at the clinical level, careful scrutiny of the accuracy and reliability of chiropractic diagnostic methods is needed. As Dr. Remington mentioned, the accuracy of these methods affects every clinical study. It is clear to any of you who have studied the reliability of clinical diagnostic techniques, that there is enormous variability between individual observers. Chiropractic physical diagnostic techniques need to be carefully correlated with what is seen on x-rays, and what is found with techniques like thermography, and so forth, on a blinded basis.”

This statement has been reiterated by Murray Goldstein and others closely associated to the research fields. The undertaking of basic or clinical research entails an understanding that outside support of a capital nature will probably be needed. Knowing where to start to look for this type of documentation goes without saying.

When searching for information about federal, foundation and corporate sources of funding, three main steps should be taken. 1) Identify what the project is that is to be undertaken, and being able to re-define it in a number of ways; 2) know where to look for potential sources of support and; 3) know how to write a successful proposal.

Many people attempt to initiate a proposal without first establishing a specific concept and developing a needs assessment. The grant-writer must understand the current status of their idea — relative to other writings in the field, and compare that with the potential needs within the target community.

After the subject has been narrowed down, with alternative definitions of purpose, there are a number of source documents to investigate. The Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) gives complete information on all government grant programs, cross indexed in a variety of ways. It is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 for $20.00. The Federal Register is the official publication source for proposed and final agency regulations and for announcement of program deadlines. It is published daily and is available at the U.S. Government Printing Office also, for $50/year or $5/mo. The U.S. Government Manual is the official handbook of the federal government. It is published once a year and includes comprehensive descriptions of all federal agencies and addresses for their grant programs. It can be ordered from the same address as above, at a price of $6.50. Other sources include agency publications and newsletters also available from the U.S. Government Manual, and the Congressional Record, available through the U.S. Government Printing Office for $75/year. The Record reports day to day proceedings of the Senate and House of Representatives. There are two libraries designated in each federal congressional district which contain all of these documents. A telephone call to your congressman can provide you with this information.

Information about Foundations can best be acquired through the Foundation Center, headquartered at 888 7th Ave., N.Y., N.Y., 10019. They can provide the name and address of the nearest regional center library containing the Foundation Grants Index, which lists all grants funded over $5,000 and the sponsoring organization.

A difficult concept for many applicants to understand is that their idea might not necessarily fit into the concept for grant programs as developed by the board of directors of foundations and corporations. That is why it is necessary to re-define the project in as many ways as possible. Certain “buzz” words should be provided that will ensure this project gets the full attention of the readers. Once the project is defined and the target groups are identified, writing the abstract is the next step. A telephone call or letter will introduce your proposal, and a personal visit to the funding source, will improve your chances of winning proposal by 300% before you’ve even written it.

The Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance will give basic information to use in specifying needs assessment.

a. “Program objectives” and “Uses and Use Restrictions,” will give a fair idea of whether the program might support the project to be funded.

b. “Financial Information” will tip you off as to the historical funding and the monies currently available.

c. “Deadlines,” — will identify when proposals are due; and

d. “Applicant Eligibility” will give information regarding the possibility of your being able to receive funds. You don’t want to spend a month developing an ineligible proposal.

e. The “Authorization” section will note which legislation created the program and “Information Contacts” section will offer some idea as to whom to contact for further information.
Success rates in grant writing are very low. The reason for that is often times related to what we’ve just discussed. There is over eighty billion dollars of monies to be given away, and the ultimate question is: Are you getting your share of the action?

REFERENCES
How to Get Federal Grants, Public Management Institute, 133 Hayes St., S.F., Calif. 94102
Anatomy of A Grants Process, The Grantsmanship Center News, Stephen Asley, May-August 1978
The Research Status of Spinal Manipulative Therapy, Murray Goldstein, Editor, DHEW Publication No. (NIH)-998, 1975..