At its core, a grant is a form of support, whether in the form of funding, assets, or other resources, voluntarily provided by an institution or party to support or initiate development in a particular field. Within the academic context, grants are typically awarded to lecturers, students, or study programs that successfully propose research initiatives at both national and international levels.

Of course, with great power comes great responsibility. A grant should not be viewed merely as an additional source of funding, friends of UNDIRA. Securing a grant is not simply about the quantity of research we produce, but also about the quality and impact of the research we deliver, particularly its ability to provide tangible benefits to society in line with the mandate of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education.

Drawing from her experience in securing various Dikti research grants, Desi Ramayanti, S.Kom., M.T., a lecturer from the Informatics Engineering Study Program at Universitas Dian Nusantara (UNDIRA), shares several practical tips in the latest episode of #TipsTipisTipis on how academics can manage their research more effectively and increase their chances of securing Dikti grants.

First and foremost, members of the academic community are encouraged not to conduct research merely by following current trends. Instead, research should also address national research priorities. This is in line with the principles of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, which emphasize that research conducted and published by academics should contribute to the development and sustainability of the nation.

Drawing from one of her research projects, which explores the integration of blockchain technology for the preservation of local products and cultural heritage, Desi explained that research has strong potential to receive grant funding not solely because of its technological sophistication, but also because of the relevance of its proposed topic to broader issues of national resilience and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Second, Desi Ramayanti emphasized the importance of developing a clear research and community service roadmap, which should be consistently implemented through academic publications. According to her, consistent publication serves as an important foundation for building credibility and trust among reviewers, thereby increasing the likelihood of research proposals receiving Dikti funding.

Third, members of the UNDIRA academic community are encouraged to establish research teams with interdisciplinary expertise. Desi Ramayanti highlighted that collaboration across disciplines can strengthen the perspective of both research and community service proposals, making them more comprehensive and insightful. She also recommended that each team member have a relevant publication track record aligned with the research topic being proposed.

The final tip, and one that every member of the academic community needs to understand, is the importance of carefully following the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek). A research proposal may sometimes fail not because its substance is weak, but because of administrative shortcomings or seemingly minor details, such as the use of specific phrases or the way certain sections are structured.

“One of the most important things, yet something that is often overlooked, is making sure that our UNDIRA colleagues follow every administrative requirement down to the smallest detail. Even when a proposal offers significant value, failure to follow the latest formatting and submission requirements outlined in BIMA can result in the proposal being deemed ineligible for a Dikti grant. Beyond that, read the guidelines thoroughly from beginning to end, and do not hesitate to seek consultation whenever there are sections that are unclear. Technical and administrative preparedness, no matter how small the detail may seem, ultimately plays an important role in determining whether a proposal is successful,” she explained.

Concluding her series of tips, Desi Ramayanti also encouraged the entire UNDIRA academic community not to be afraid to start and put forward innovative ideas. Change begins with the willingness to take the first step. As members of an academic community grounded in the VIP values of Visionary, Integrity, and Professionalism, research should not merely be about producing publications or outputs, but also about driving positive change, creating meaningful benefits for society, and maintaining the credibility and accountability of the knowledge we contribute.