Funding & Sponsorship

Engage With the Meeting Host & Other Organizers Very early on in the planning process,

Possible sources for Sponsorship and Funding

• Grants from Funding Agencies: The Data Help Desk has been supported by grants, such as from NSF. The Data Management Training Clearinghouse, an ESIP-hosted project, was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Therefore, applying for grants from relevant funding agencies is a potential avenue for funding a data help desk.
• Professional Organizations and Societies: Organizations like the Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP), the American Meteorological Society (AMS), the American Geophysical Union (AGU), and the European Geosciences Union (EGU) have either sponsored, supported, or been partners in running data help desks. These organizations can be direct sponsors or provide in-kind support, such as space at their meetings. EarthCube has also been a sponsor.
• Cost-Sharing Among Participating Organizations: When planning a data help desk, it is possible to ask major participating organizations to split the costs. This involves clarifying the possible levels of involvement and contributions from each organization.
• ESIP Community Funding: The ESIP community itself can provide funding support for initiatives like the Data Help Desk.
• Incentivizing Participation: While not direct funding, allocating resources to incentivize volunteers (e.g., through recognition or small benefits) can contribute to the success of a data help desk. This might require some level of financial or in-kind support.

To secure funding and sponsorship, it is crucial to engage with potential sponsors early in the planning process to clarify their roles and contributions. Clearly defining what each sponsoring organization needs to do to have their name recognized is also important.