The Blog

Welcome to iDoGrants

You’ve come to the right blog if you’re interested in learning more about academic research – performing research, managing research, reporting research, and everything in between. iDoGrants is dedicated to developing a culture of collaborative investigation that eliminates traditional definitions and boundaries of research. I am here to help, to inspire, and to promote the joy of research!

Intentionality is Not Optional: Designing Research Administration Experiences on Purpose

Latest Blog Post

Career and Personal Development

May 04, 2026

Intentionality is Not Optional: Designing Research Administration Experiences on Purpose

In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara defines intentionality as the practice of making every decision—large and small—with clear purpose. In research administration, where competing demands can push us into reactive workflows, intentionality is what transforms processes into designed experiences. This post explores why intentionality is not a luxury—it is a requirement for meaningful, high-impact work.

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People Will Forget What You Did—But Not How You Made Them Feel: The Emotional Impact of Research Administration

Latest Blog Post

Career and Personal Development

April 27, 2026

People Will Forget What You Did—But Not How You Made Them Feel: The Emotional Impact of Research Administration

In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara reinforces a timeless truth: people may forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. In research administration, where interactions often occur under pressure, the emotional tone of our work shapes trust, confidence, and long-term relationships. This post explores why emotional impact is not secondary to our work—it is central to it.

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Latest Blog Post

Grant Writing

April 20, 2026

How to Write a One-Page Specific Aims Page for Your Next Grant Application

Once you have identified several possible funding sources, verified that your idea is 1) original, irresistible, and fundable, 2) comes from an established background, 3) offers a vertical advancement and more knowledge to the field, and 4) the general need/topic has not been funded recently, you are ready to write your specific aims page. This […]

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Why “Good Enough” Will Never Be Memorable: Rethinking Excellence in Research Administration

Latest Blog Post

Career and Personal Development

April 20, 2026

Why “Good Enough” Will Never Be Memorable: Rethinking Excellence in Research Administration

In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara argues that excellence alone is not enough to stand out—it is the willingness to be “unreasonable” that creates truly memorable experiences. In research administration, where accuracy and compliance are expected, differentiation comes from how we go beyond the baseline. This post explores why “good enough” is no longer sufficient—and how intentional, human-centered approaches can transform routine support into lasting impact.

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Service is Black and White. Hospitality is Color: Reframing Excellence in Research Administration

Latest Blog Post

Career and Personal Development

April 13, 2026

Service is Black and White. Hospitality is Color: Reframing Excellence in Research Administration

In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara introduces a powerful distinction: service is black and white, but hospitality is color. In research administration, where accuracy and compliance are expected, true differentiation comes from how we make people feel. This post explores how shifting from transactional service to intentional hospitality can transform everyday interactions into meaningful, trust-building experiences for faculty, scholars, and stakeholders.

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Disclaimer: I was not compensated, sponsored, or asked to promote this book in any way—I simply found it valuable and worth sharing. A Different Kind of Book Club In academic settings, the idea of a “book club” often feels informal—something reserved for personal growth or casual discussion. Yet some books demand a more deliberate kind of engagement, particularly when they challenge the way we approach our work. Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect is one of those books. While it is grounded in the world of fine dining, its core message extends far beyond restaurants: any profession can choose to operate in the hospitality business. In research administration, this idea is both unexpected and deeply relevant (Guidara, 2022). At its core, Unreasonable Hospitality argues that excellence is not enough to differentiate an organization—what matters is how people feel as a result of their experience. This concept challenges the traditional framing of research administration as a primarily procedural or compliance-driven function. While accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory adherence remain essential, they are also widely expected. What is less common—and far more impactful—is the intentional design of experiences that are clear, supportive, and memorable. This shift from task execution to experience design forms the foundation of this series. This is not a book review. It is a translation exercise. Over the next series of posts, we will take key concepts from Unreasonable Hospitality and apply them directly to research administration—exploring how ideas such as service versus hospitality, intentionality, small moments of impact, and leadership behaviors can reshape the way we support faculty, scholars, and trainees. Each post will focus on a single principle, offering both reflection and practical application. The goal is not simply to understand the ideas, but to integrate them into daily practice. Framing this series as a “book club” is intentional. A book club implies participation, reflection, and conversation—not passive consumption. The invitation is not just to read, but to consider: How do these ideas apply to your own work? Where do they challenge your current approach? What might change if you adopted them more fully? In this way, the series becomes a shared exploration of how research administration can evolve—not through large-scale transformation alone, but through small, intentional shifts in how we approach our roles. Importantly, this series also recognizes the context in which research administrators operate. The work is complex, deadlines are fixed, and resources are often limited. The goal is not to add more to an already full workload, but to rethink how existing work is experienced. Many of the concepts explored—clarity in communication, anticipation of needs, consistency in leadership—require minimal additional time, yet have significant impact. This is the central promise of unreasonable hospitality: that small, thoughtful actions can create disproportionately meaningful experiences. Ultimately, this series is about expanding how we define excellence in research administration. If service is the baseline, hospitality becomes the differentiator. If processes define what we do, experiences define how that work is remembered. By engaging with these ideas over time, we can begin to articulate a more intentional, human-centered approach to our work—one that aligns precision with purpose. ________________________________________ What to Expect in This Series Over the next several posts, we will explore themes including: • The difference between service and hospitality • Why “good enough” is not memorable • The role of intentionality in designing experiences • The impact of small, thoughtful moments • Leadership behaviors that shape culture and trust • Balancing systems with personalization • Defining your own signature experience Each post will build on the last, creating a cohesive framework for applying these ideas within research administration. ________________________________________ Action Items to Get Started • Begin with awareness. As you move through your work this week, notice where interactions feel transactional versus experiential. • Select one upcoming interaction and consider how you might intentionally shape the experience. • Approach this series actively. Reflect on each concept and identify one small way to apply it in your context. • Engage your team. Consider discussing these ideas collectively to build shared language and alignment. This is not about doing more. It is about doing what we already do—with greater intention.

Latest Blog Post

Career and Personal Development

April 06, 2026

A Different Kind of Book Club: Rethinking Research Administration Through Unreasonable Hospitality

What if research administration isn’t just about compliance and coordination—but about experience, connection, and impact? In this series, we’ll explore Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect through the lens of academic research environments. Consider this a professional book club—one that challenges how we think about service, leadership, and what it truly means to support others in meaningful ways.

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Latest Blog Post

Career and Personal Development

January 12, 2026

When the Parallel Universe Feels Just Right

Some days, I catch myself daydreaming about an alternate career — not because I want to leave my current work, but because a different path can reveal what I value most. Today’s daydream? I’m a Research Sabbatical Retreat Leader — someone who creates quiet, beautiful spaces where burned-out scientists can pause, breathe, and remember what […]

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Budget Planning and Allocation: Effective Strategies for Planning and Allocating Your Budget

Latest Blog Post

Grant Writing

January 05, 2026

Budget Planning and Allocation: Effective Strategies for Planning and Allocating Your Budget

Budget planning and allocation are critical components of grant proposals, often determining their feasibility and success. Effective budget management demonstrates your ability to use funds wisely and achieve your project objectives. The Importance of Detailed Budget Planning A well-planned budget outlines all anticipated expenses and justifies the need for each item. This includes personnel, equipment, […]

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Latest Blog Post

Career and Personal Development

January 05, 2026

Inspire the Perfect Curriculum Vitae

The range of variation that the curriculum vitae permits is truly astounding. And, in our line of work, it’s common to find 70-90 page CVs for our established investigators.  Common formatting dictates a 1″ margin on all sides with a legible and standardized font. However, when it comes to section headings–there is room for personalization. […]

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Latest Blog Post

Grant Writing

January 05, 2026

Strategic Grant Writing: Navigating Language with Nuance

🚨 New Resource Alert! 🚨Grant writers, navigating funder language just got easier! 📄✨ Our latest guide helps you replace flagged terms with strategic alternatives—ensuring clarity while keeping your proposal strong. 💡🔍 Check it out now! 🔗 #GrantWriting #ResearchFunding #Wordsmithing

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Latest Blog Post

Research Administration

January 05, 2026

Exploring AI Ethics: Enhancing Human Judgment, Not Replacing It

Today I’m speaking with NIH TL1 and T32 trainees about Exploring AI Ethics—and it’s a conversation that matters just as much for research administrators. AI should never replace your thinking—it should make your curiosity, collaboration, and joy of research more visible.

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Your ability to keep going

Latest Blog Post

Grant Writing

December 29, 2025

Building Your Grant Budget: Indirect Costs or Facilities and Administrative Costs (F&A)

Indirect costs represent the expenses of doing research that are not readily identified with a specific activity but are necessary to the general operation of the project. To be blunt, indirect costs are anything that is not a direct cost, such as: heat, light, or accounting. In general, indirect costs are calculated as a percentage […]

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BLOG CATEGORIES

Career and Personal Development

Intentionality is Not Optional: Designing Research Administration Experiences on Purpose
Read Now

Career and Personal Development

People Will Forget What You Did—But Not How You Made Them Feel: The Emotional Impact of Research Administration
Read Now

Grant Writing

How to Write a One-Page Specific Aims Page for Your Next Grant Application
Read Now

Career and Personal Development

Why “Good Enough” Will Never Be Memorable: Rethinking Excellence in Research Administration
Read Now

Career and Personal Development

Boundaries Aren’t Barriers
Read Now

Career and Personal Development

Filter the Noise: Make Aligned Decisions Faster
Read Now

Career and Personal Development

Service is Black and White. Hospitality is Color: Reframing Excellence in Research Administration
Read Now

Career and Personal Development

A Different Kind of Book Club: Rethinking Research Administration Through Unreasonable Hospitality
Read Now

Career and Personal Development

When the Parallel Universe Feels Just Right
Read Now

Career and Personal Development

Sustaining the Joy of Discovery
Read Now

Grant Writing

Budget Planning and Allocation: Effective Strategies for Planning and Allocating Your Budget
Read Now

Career and Personal Development

Leadership Isn’t a Title — It’s a Design Choice
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Career and Personal Development

Inspire the Perfect Curriculum Vitae
Read Now

Career and Personal Development

The Joy of Doing Nothing (and Why That Matters)
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Career and Personal Development

Seasons of Work, Seasons of Self
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Research Administration

You Can’t Systematize Everything — But You Should Try
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Career and Personal Development

Design a System That Works Without You
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Grant Writing

Strategic Grant Writing: Navigating Language with Nuance
Read Now

Research Administration

Exploring AI Ethics: Enhancing Human Judgment, Not Replacing It
Read Now

Career and Personal Development

Leading Yourself First
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Career and Personal Development

Designing a Year that Feels Like You
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Career and Personal Development

Winter Is for Wisdom
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Academic Writing

A Guide for Navigating Change with Resilience
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Career and Personal Development

It’s Not Just Burnout — It’s Misalignment
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Career and Personal Development

Return Through Joy
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Career and Personal Development

Define Your Values Before the Chaos Does
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Productivity and Communication

Storyboarding Your Research
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Research Administration

Preparing to Write the Letter of Intent
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Grant Writing

Recognizing Different Types of Grant Funding
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Project Management

How Many Project Management Plans do you Need?
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Research Administration

Preliminary Data in Grant Applications
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Grant Writing

Including Domestic and International Travel in Your Grant Application
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Research Administration

Four Main Characters: Brave, Smart, Loyal, and Driven
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Research Administration

How can Research Administrators Encourage Faculty Development?
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Career and Personal Development

How to Make a Vision Board for your Office in 10 Easy Steps
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