This document discusses crowdfunding as a potential source of funding for ocean science projects. It notes that traditional science funding rates are declining and outlines strategies for scientists to successfully crowdfund their work, including building an audience online, learning video and outreach skills, engaging potential donors, and working to change policies around public outreach. Specific tips provided include using platforms like Kickstarter, crafting clear pitches and rewards, and capitalizing on existing interest in their research area to attract donors. The overall message is that crowdfunding, when done effectively, can help scientists engage new audiences and obtain funding.

1. Crowdfunding for Ocean Sciences:
#sciocrowd
Jarrett Byrnes
University of Massachusetts Boston
http://www.slideshare.net/JarrettByrnes/sicooceans-2013-scifund

4. Data from:
http://dellweb.bfa.nsf.gov/awdfr3/default.asp
http://report.nih.gov/success_rates/Success_ByActivity.cfm
Science Funding Rates Declining
stimulus
#SciQuester = 1000 NSF grants not funded this year

5. Public Science Literacy Needs Work

6. Ecklund et al. 2012 PLoS One
Scientist's Attitudes Towards Outreach
Not So Good
In scientists’ own words, science outreach is a bleak
prospect with limited room for improvement. Seventy-four
percent of respondents list one or more significant
impediments to their ability to do science outreach, yet less
than half have concrete ideas for how science outreach could
be improved.

7. Ecklund et al. 2012 PLoS One
Little Reward Structure for Outreach
Scientists also perceive that they are rewarded little for
science outreach work, especially in the tenure process.

8. Science Communication Exploding Online
sciencepond.com twitter.com/jebyrnes/eemb

10. 135% of goal!!

11. Crowdfunding and You!
1. Let’s do this thing. How do I do it?
2. What can I learn from those who have gone
before?

12. What Platform Should I Use?

13. What Platform Should I Use?
• What is their policy on success?
• What are their fees?
• Do they allow for givebacks?
• Do they facilitate connections to donors?
• Are they a neat platform with no projects?

14. My University is Cool with this, Right?
• Maybe.
• Talk to your Office of Sponsored Research
• Or find a nonprofit foundation to work with
• THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY!
http://scifundchallenge.org/blog/2011/10/10/will-your-university-allow-you-to-crowdfund-for-your-research-part-2/

15. Anatomy of a Crowdfunding Proposal
1. Goal
• accomplishment
2. Time Limit
• urgency
3. Proposal
• clarity is key
4. Video
• accessibility
5. Rewards
• engagement

16. What do I need to know about video
production?
• iMovie is love
• So is Audacity (for audio)
• Borrow a camera! Good video is good!
• Beware of using copyrighted material
• KEEP IT SHORT – 2-3 minutes if possible

17. What do I include in my pitch?
• What am I doing?
• Why is this awesome?
• Why does this matter to you?
• How will your funds be spent?
• How will you stay connected?

18. The Moh Dollahz Population
Dynamics of a Campaign
WOO!!!
We’ve Launched!
The Doldrums
Now’s the time!

19. Outreach Strategies
• Start early. Years early.
• Social media helps with momentum
• Harness network effects whenever possible
• Work with your university
• Identify community groups interested in your
work
• Build new relationships!

20. Crowdfunding and You!
1. Let’s do this thing. How do I do it?
2. What can I learn from those who have gone
before?

22. The future?
doctorzen.net

23. How did Palmer Do it?
Wikipedia.org
twitter.com/amandaplamer
http://www.ted.com/talks/amanda_palmer_the_art_of_asking.html

25. If you build it,
they will come

26. If you build it,
they will come

27. Be an Engagement Rockstar

29. Number of fans
Interestinyourresearch
Super-engaged fans that
contribute $ to your research
Larger number of fans that don’t contribute, but
are still impacted by your message
A version of the 1000 True Fans Model

31. Capitalize on Interest

32. Connect to Stakeholders

33. Science Projects with Community
Engagement Bring in $$$
http://www.indiegogo.com/ubiome

34. This is the End of the Beginning

35. New Connections & Engagement = 30k!

36. Press
contacts
Twitter
presence
Project
views
Money for
research
Friends and
family
Emailing
contacts
1.7 project
views per email
92 views per
press contact
1 project view
per tweet per
70 followers
Contributors
Engagement*Effort = Success

37. How Can I Crowdfund my Science?
• Build an audience for your work
- Crowdfunding, Blog, Tweet, Science Cafes, etc.
• Get trained in outreach
- Media & social network training
• Ask how your work can engage the crowd
• Work to change academic culture & policy
- Hiring & promotion practices
- Collaboration with media & arts departments

38. Larger Benefits to Crowdfunding
• Build bridges between science & society
• Build investment in an NGO's science
program
• Enhanced science literacy
• Science incubator for new projects
• Look at it as funded outreach

39. R4 & a Video Workshop are Coming!
Blog: scifundchallenge.org
Twitter: #SciFund
Wheat, R.E., Wang, Y., Byrnes, J.E.K. &
Ranganathan, J. (2012). Raising money
for scientific research through
crowdfunding. Trends Ecol. Evol., 28, 71–
72.
http://www.slideshare.net/JarrettByrnes/sicooceans-2013-scifund