When the Center for Social Science Innovation (CSSI)’s researcher affiliates were asked how CSSI has helped propel their research forward, one of the most common answers was simply: Kris Ackerson.

Ackerson is CSSI’s grant development manager and he helps faculty, staff, and students bring their grant proposals to life, from inception to submission. Ackerson, along with grant development specialist Katherine Gloer, juggle the moving parts of grants with precision and rigor, having helped researchers secure over $30 million in funding since Ackerson joined CSSI in 2017.

Although he did dabble in actual juggling as a child, Ackerson never saw grant development as an aspiration. An Iowa City native, he would instead juggle through majors as an undergraduate at the University of Iowa.

When Ackerson entered university, he was unsure what to major in, so he filled his schedule with courses that caught his attention. If he couldn’t take a class because it was only for majors, Ackerson would simply change his major so he could enroll. That’s how he wound up as an English major for one semester: he really wanted to take a Shakespeare literature class. By junior year, his academic advisor intervened, and Ackerson declared a major in Multidisciplinary Studies in Literature, Science, and Arts.

After graduation, Ackerson landed an internship at an architectural firm, which later led to his master’s in community and regional planning from the University of Oregon.

Arriving back in Iowa, Ackerson began working for a regional planning commission, that at the time was seeking grant money to build a recreational trail. The experience was Ackerson’s first taste of grant writing – and he was captivated.

“I helped them apply and win a grant for the trail. I just got really into it. And I’ve been doing it in some way ever since,” Ackerson recounts.

Ackerson continued to sharpen his grant writing skills at his next roles in the City of Iowa City and Iowa Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County planning offices, where he secured $11.3 million for projects ranging from Terry Trueblood’s scenic trail to the lights that illuminate all the city’s parking ramps.

“When I wrote trail grants, I would put myself in the shoes of the reviewer.” Ackerson says, when reflecting on his process. “You have to imagine what they are thinking and sell them on your idea. So, I would go out into the woods with my camera and take interesting pictures of the wildlife, scenery, and topography where the proposed trail would be.”

When the trails were built, Ackerson loved riding over the physical representation of his work. Biking has always been a pastime love for Ackerson – exemplified by his solo biking trek across Iowa when he was 16, during which he slept in a tent and ate hand-packed meals.

Social science progression through meticulous grant construction

In 2017, Ackerson returned to the university, this time as a staff member. At CSSI, Ackerson facilitates a smooth and streamlined grant submission process for researchers. Ackerson acknowledges that applying for grants can be convoluted, with several moving cogs.

Grants can range up to 40 pages, crammed with details about the research project, researcher, existing university resources, and budget. Ackerson combs through every component, providing researchers with thorough and constructive feedback.

No detail slips Ackerson’s gaze, as he even verifies page limits and font sizes.

“I have a little bit of anxiety and that is a great trait when you’re dealing with all these little parts because I worry about missing something,” Ackerson divulges. “I am really diligent, keep lots of notes and I am always thinking ahead.”

Even before a grant begins to take shape, Ackerson can step in, commonly linking researchers to potential funding sources. Once identified, he helps researchers map out their project, manage their time, and construct budgets. He also provides researchers with a library of resources and materials, so they don’t feel as if they started with a blank slate.

“My colleagues at other institutions often say ‘wait, you have a what?’ Kris is on top of it, his budgets are flawless. We landed a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant on our first try, which is apparently unusual, and a lot of it was Kris’s materials. He gave us outlines and we just went through and did everything he asked and then we won,” vouches Elizabeth Menninga, associate professor in the Department of Political Science and CSSI researcher affiliate.

At any given time, Ackerson is balancing seven to twelve grants, which he begins working on up to six months before the submission deadline. During this time, Ackerson is focused on helping craft proposals that resonate with the grant reviewers.

“One of the reasons I enjoy this is because of the competitive, persuasive aspect of it. You need to convince people why they should fund the grant,” he says.

Broadly speaking, one in five grants are funded, so Ackerson doesn’t let rejection deter the researchers.

“I just enjoy when people get the money. If they are rejected, I don’t want them to quit. I want them to keep going. I am a cheerleader almost. Some of these grants can change people’s careers,” he explains.

Ackerson’s favorite memory at CSSI is when he stumbled upon the downstream effects of his work as he was reading the New York Times (NYT) last summer. The article was about dog DNA, which coincidentally happened to be a topic he helped anthropology graduate student alumna Ariane Thomas win several grants for. When he went to send her the article, he realized the article was about her.

“It was a pretty awesome feeling to see she'd graduated and found a job, and on top of it her project was highlighted in the NYT,” Ackerson said.

Beyond his one-on-one grant development support, Ackerson also created the Grant Writers’ Circle, which offers participants camaraderie, accountability, and dedicated time to develop grants.

“As a new professor, the Grant Writers’ Circle enabled me to gain connections, a better understanding of processes, and support for orienting myself to the university and the services needed for submitting grant proposals to multiple different funding mechanisms and organizations,” attests Aynsley Scheffert, assistant professor in the School of Social Work.

While Ackerson draws value from grant writing itself, he also appreciates CSSI’s pivotal role in the social sciences on campus.

“I enjoy the people and the process of grant writing, but I also enjoy that we’re in the social sciences,” he reflects. “The topics are relatable and accessible, and CSSI provides the opportunity to meet and connect with people interested in the same areas.”