The Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Diponegoro University (FSM UNDIP), held an insightful knowledge-sharing session titled “Sharing Session: Tips & Tricks to Secure Funding from the Research and Innovation for Advanced Indonesia (RIIM) Program” on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Conducted virtually via Zoom, the event was attended by FSM lecturers, two expert speakers, and was moderated by the experienced Dr. Yeva Fadhilah Ashari, S.Si., M.Si.
The event was officially opened by the Vice Dean for Resources of FSM UNDIP, Dr. Eng. Adi Wibowo, S.Si., M.Kom. In his opening remarks, he emphasized the significance of the RIIM program as a year-round funding opportunity with broad potential for collaborative research. According to him, RIIM provides access to advanced research facilities and substantial funding to support interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration.
The first session was delivered by Prof. Dr. Tri Retnaningsih Soeprobowati, M.AppSc., with a presentation entitled “Smart Strategies Toward National & Global Research Grants.” In her presentation, Prof. Naning not only elaborated on the technical strategies for proposal writing but also encouraged participants to grasp the deeper philosophy of conducting research. She emphasized that the quality of a proposal reflects the quality of the research itself. Thus, the proposed methods must be well-conceived, aligned with international standards, and supported by sufficient data for publication in reputable journals.
Prof. Naning also shared several tips to enhance the chances of securing research funding. She highlighted what she called the TOP Tips—“Taat Azaz” (Observing the Rules)—which refers to adhering to all technical aspects of the proposal, such as word limits, language clarity, and the use of terminology that is easily understood by various audiences. “Avoid confusing jargon and acronyms. Seek feedback from your team or a reviewer before submission, include examples of previous work, highlight your team’s credibility, and cite references properly,” she explained.
The second session was presented by Ir. Marcelinus Christwardana, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., IPM., ASEAN Eng., who delivered a talk titled “Key Strategies to Win RIIM Competitive Funding.” Dr. Marcel shared his personal experience in securing RIIM grants and underscored the importance of understanding the funding process in detail. He encouraged participants to thoroughly read the proposal guidelines and comply with all official instructions. Choosing a well-aligned research focus and building a strong, cohesive team were among the key success factors in crafting a competitive proposal.
He further encouraged early-career researchers to continuously practice writing and keep up with current research trends by reading academic journals regularly. “Consistency is key. The ability to write a compelling proposal doesn’t come overnight—it is developed through practice and persistence,” he stated.
The event continued with an engaging Q&A session. One participant posed an insightful question: from a reviewer’s perspective, which part of a proposal is read first and receives the most attention? Prof. Naning responded that, based on her experience as a reviewer, the abstract is the first section to be read and often determines the initial impression of the proposal. “Craft a strong and clear abstract, because it gives reviewers an immediate overview of your entire proposal. Make sure all key aspects are addressed in that section,” she advised.
Through this event, FSM UNDIP hopes to inspire more lecturers and early-career researchers to actively submit research proposals under both national and international funding schemes. This initiative also reflects FSM’s strong commitment to fostering an excellent, collaborative, and impactful culture of research and innovation for the advancement of the nation.
[FSM Public Relations]