Funding communciations support

A really great broader impacts statement can make all the difference in your proposal review!

Submitting a new proposal?

Consider building science communication support into your project and budget from the start. IARC's base capacity for communication work is limited, so funding it in your proposal is the most reliable way to get high-quality and high-impact products when your project needs them. “Broader impacts” is NSF's term, but we can help with proposals to any funder that asks for outreach, communication, or demonstrable research impact.

What Comms Team support is covered by IARC vs. what requires dedicated funding?

Generally, IARC covers:

Press releases, media relations, and interview prep
IARC website, including project pages on the website
Research highlights and stories
On-site photography and video recording
Business cards & templates
Early proposal consultation
Social media via IARC Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
Coordination of communication support
Initiating communication contractor relationships
Accessibility guidelines consultation
Representation of IARC group at events (e.g., AGU)
IARC administration communications support
University Relations liaison and UA policy compliance

Requires dedicated funding

IARC-affiliated research project websites and major documents require a dedicated budget for communications work.

Note: We are not able to provide communications services to departments/units beyond IARC.

Talk with us early

Reach out as soon as you know you're writing a proposal. Casual, half-baked ideas are welcome; that's often the best time to start because we can help brainstorm!

We're communication professionals, and we bring creativity and enthusiasm to broader impacts and communication plans. An early conversation helps us:

- Strengthen your broader impacts. We've heard more than once that when proposals have equally strong intellectual merit, broader impacts can become the tie-breaker.
- Expand your impact. We can help you take an idea further, whether that means reaching more people, reaching new audiences, or raising the quality of what you produce.
- Budget realistically. We'll help you estimate the time and costs involved, so you don't come up short once the project starts.

Short on time?

If you can't connect with us before your deadline, a good rule of thumb is to budget 1–2 months of communication staff time per year for your project. As you work on your proposal and budget, consider:

- Name a person. When you build your budget with the Office of Proposal Development (OPD), list IARC Science Communication Lead (Jennifer Moss), as the communication staff member. If you're funded, we'll adjust staffing based on who is available or who has the best skill set to align with your project's goals.
- Avoid placeholders. UAF’s base funding for the communication job series is very low. If OPD enters a generic placeholder instead of a named staff member, the amount budgeted may not go very far.
- Travel: If you want film, video or photography from the field, budget travel for a communication staff member to join you at the field site.
- Equipment: If you have a specialized need or a particular vision, check with us about equipment. We have a lot of specialized equipment on hand.

What types of support will you need?

What kinds of communication support might you need?

We can help you with a breadth of science communication planning, process, and product development. Think about your goals, audiences, and the types of support you are interested in.

Planning: Designing communication plans or engagement strategies; brainstorming novel communication approaches; connecting with key partners
Writing and publishing: Web features, articles and blog posts; newsletters; long-form publications; one- or two-page fliers; reports
Websites: Design and build, plus ongoing updates, maintenance, accessibility and security (Note: all websites need ongoing funding for design, updates, maintenance, accessibility and security)
Visuals: Graphic design and data visualization; technical illustration and figures for publications; photography and video; StoryMaps; large project branding
Audio and events: Podcasts and videos; webinar support; expo and public events
Social media: social media content and strategy
Accessibility: accessibility guidance, consulting, and reviews of your products

cover image with glacier Knowing our Changing Home

View Examples of Comms Products

Resources

Language for your facilities document

You're welcome to copy and paste the paragraph below into the Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources section of your proposal.

IARC Communications Team. The International Arctic Research Center (IARC) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks maintains a communications team of approximately five professional staff with expertise in science communication, writing and editing, graphic design, data visualization, web development, photography and video production, and audience engagement. The team supports IARC research projects in planning and carrying out outreach and communication activities, including engagement strategy, web content, publications, multimedia products, events and accessibility review. The team has access to professional equipment and subscriptions, including camera, video, audio equipment; design and editing software; web hosting and content management systems; and specialized software and subscriptions for managing and tracking communication efforts and impact. Science communicators usually have background and training in both science and communication, and work closely with IARC researchers, Alaska communities and Tribes, and partner organizations to share research findings with diverse audiences across Alaska and beyond.

Working with K-12 Students or Educators?

Are you interested in working mainly with K–12 students, teachers, or using a citizen or community science approach? Consider reaching out to IARC’s Education and Outreach office team for proposal support instead.

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