“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

I'm trying to apply for a research grant...

“The Center for Retirement Research [at Boston College] sponsors the Steven H. Sandell Grant Program for Junior Scholars in Retirement Research on an annual basis. The program is funded by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide opportunities for junior scholars from a wide variety of academic disciplines and senior scholars working in a new area to pursue cutting-edge projects on retirement income issues.”

On paper, I'm obviously not the ideal candidate. But there are supposed to be eight winners in total, so I figure it's worth a shot. I even wrote to one of individuals helping to coordinate the program, and received the following reply:

Mr. Florzak,

...

A major objective of the Sandell program is to help and encourage young scholars (or senior scholars in other fields) to focus on issues related to the provision of retirement income. Your research interest is clearly within the scope of the Sandell program. You seem to be “entering” the field, and could qualify on those grounds; though you might not be a full-time scholar (this is not clear from your email), which could diminish the attractiveness of your proposal. To win a grant, however, you would need to be affiliated with a university or other non-profit organization. This is necessary for various administrative reasons. Finding such an organization might not be an insuperable barrier. The key issue is that the grants are for academic research, with high standards as to the literature review and proposed methodological approach. If your project could meet these standards, and you are affiliated (or can affiliate) with a suitable organization, I encourage you to apply.

...

******* *******
Associate Director for Research
Center for Retirement Research at Boston College

Although a grant might certainly aid my research, I'm not so sure about accepting the monies, and would probably choose to respectfully submit a budget proposal for zero dollars. I work hard to fund my efforts, and that's the way I like it.

Besides, it's not about the money--it's about the opportunity. Preparing a paper for the academic community would be a great opportunity, and the possibility that this research might then be presented to and considered by the Social Security Administration would be simply awesome.

However, I doubt I'll even get the chance to finish the application process, as I still lack the required two letters of recommendation and endorsement from a university or non-profit organization.

It's discouraging to think that as hard as I've worked these past three years, I cannot yet find even one person in the academic community willing to write me a letter of sponsorship.

Oh well, that's life. I am disappointed--but not defeated.

As I had intended to decline the money anyway, I suppose it matters little whether I am formally selected for the grant. And so, regardless of outcome, I will prepare the research I have in mind.

For far too long, I have strained to make deaf ears hear, and such efforts have proven a consuming distraction. I must humbly return to the work, refining my ideas for merit rather than popularity.

Though others doubt, I lose not heart.