Hey all! So I applied for an F31 back in the spring, but something about the process really bothered me. All of my mentors were urging me to contact the grant officer to ask if my project was a good fit for NIMH's mission. I went into the conversation well-versed in what to say and not to say to a grant officer, and knowledgeable about NIMH's current aims. I am applying for a multicultural-focused grant, and was put in contact with the correct officer, and asked him pretty clearly (I think) if my project felt like a good fit, or if it didn't feel in sync with NIMH's current mission. However, when I spoke to him he said, "I'm not quite sure what you're asking," and after I gave more context about my project and asked the question again, he said in an exasperated tone, "You're a smart woman, I'm sure you'll figure it out." He also made an assumption that I was earlier in the program than I was (even asked if I'm an undergrad) even though I told him I was planning my dissertation and had a spring application date for the F31.
This conversation has been haunting me, and I guess I wanted to ask two questions about it. Have any of you had similarly negative experiences with grant officers? And I know you don't all have the complete context, but does that sound sexist to you? It felt super demeaning in the moment, and I haven't been able to shake that feeling.
This conversation has been haunting me, and I guess I wanted to ask two questions about it. Have any of you had similarly negative experiences with grant officers? And I know you don't all have the complete context, but does that sound sexist to you? It felt super demeaning in the moment, and I haven't been able to shake that feeling.