Hi Emily, I kind of did the thing you propose and also tried Aaron's road. When I started with my PhD I already had a research proposal ready. I knew what I wanted to study, I just needed supervisors that were happy to support me and I needed funding. I talked with several professors from three different universities. The professor from the last university was really enthusiastic and promised me to get some funding for the project through the faculty. I don't think it is a bold move at all to propose a research topic. I think it shows initiative and that you are capable of working independently as well.
Before I started the PhD I actually tried the road that Aaron described. I founded a non-profit and started looking for funding to do the exact same research project. The problem is that not many organizations are likely to fund an unexperienced scientist or non-profit without track record. That means that you will be dependent on crowdfunding or private donations. If your project is cuddly or eye-catching crowdfunding may be a very good option. But if you want to study the symbiosis of Brussel sprouts and mycorrhiza it will be difficult to get money through crowdfunding, I mean nobody like Brussel sprouts (those who say they do are liars). For me crowdfunding helped me to raise exactly 0.40 USD; that is using crowdfunding platforms like Indiegogo. During the course of my PhD I started to get more private donations through the non-profit which enabled me to buy a company car and do more fieldwork. My advise to you is to just try a lot of different options and go with what works out best. Somethings may work, others won't, just give it all a try. In the Netherlands we say "*If you don't shoot, you will alway miss*". Best regards, -- Robbie Weterings *Project Manager Cat Drop Thailand* * Tel: +66(0)890176087* 65/13 Mooban Chakangrao, Naimuang Muang Kamphaeng Phet 62000, Thailand เลขที่ 65/13 ม.ชากังราว ถนน ราชดําเนิน2 ในเมือง อําเภอ/ เขต เมืองกําเเพงเพชร จังหวัด กําเเพงเพชร 62000 <http://www.catdropfoundation.org> <http://www.catdropfoundation.org/facebook/Facebook.html> *www.catdropfoundation.org* <http://www.catdropfoundation.org/> *www.facebook.com/catdropfoundation* <http://www.facebook.com/catdropfoundation> *Boorn 45, 9204 AZ, Drachten, The Netherlands* On Thu, May 28, 2015 at 1:21 AM, Emily Mydlowski <emilymydlow...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hello all, > > I'm delving into the graduate school search (MS and PhD programs) quite > heavily and am seeking advice regarding approaching faculty with a research > project. The system I'm interested in working on is that which has many > unanswered, interesting questions I would love to pursue. From a faculty > perspective, is proposing a project topic (too) bold of a move to a > potential advisor? > > Any advice would be much appreciated. > > All the best, > > Emily Mydlowski > Northern Michigan University >
