Scientist Takes Different Route in Crowded Funding Field

11.03.2021

Dr. Nikki Delk, Fellow, Cecil H. and Ida Green Professor in Systems Biology Science

Getting one’s research funded isn’t a walk in the park. The competition is tough.

Dr. Nikki Delk should know. Although she has been funded by the National Cancer Institute and currently receives funding from the American Cancer Society to support her research at The University of Texas at Dallas, she has turned to crowdfunding as an additional way to secure funding for her research into how inflammation promotes cancer progression.

“The payline for cancer-related grants from the government and foundations hovers around 10%, which is really low and makes securing funding extremely competitive,” said Delk, associate professor of biological sciences and Fellow, Cecil H. and Ida Green Professor in Systems Biology Science. “That is what inspired me to look for alternative means to raise funds for my lab.”

Being ever innovative, scientists seeking research support beyond the traditional sources are turning to crowdfunding, which is a fairly new phenomenon in this arena.

“There are crowdfunding websites where principal investigators have been successful raising money for small projects,” Delk said. “It is empowering to be able to go directly to the public to ask for support for your research.”

With a little help getting started from the Office of Research and Innovation, the Office of Budget and Finance and the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, among others, Delk has raised more than $10,000 this year from sources such as Comets Giving Day and the Arts for Science art auction. Delk got the idea to create Arts for Science (@Arts4Science on Instagram) to merge her loves – the performing and creative arts and science – to raise money for her lab and STEM outreach.

“The art auction event was very successful. In addition to art items for bid, there were also dance and musical performances at the event,” she said. “Everyone I received feedback from said they had a wonderful time and are looking forward to next year’s event.”

The money Delk has raised will go toward purchasing materials for experiments in her lab. She also plans to use the money to facilitate research experiences for students historically underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

Delk will continue to build off her crowdfunding success this year, including growing her Arts for Science initiative.

 
Runners go past a campus entrance sign during the Pretty in Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Race.

In October, Delk addressed more than 250 participants at UT Dallas’ Pretty in Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Race, which raised over $2,000 to support cancer research at the University.

“A UT Dallas colleague was diagnosed with breast cancer last spring,” said Tiffany Willoughby, events manager in the Office of Research and Innovation who spearheaded the effort to put the race together. “Her diagnosis was the impetus behind the breast cancer awareness race and sparked the idea for a future funding opportunity to further cancer research at UT Dallas.”

Eight people received mammograms at UT Southwestern’s Mobile Mammography Unit during the event. The Comet Cupboard was also a beneficiary of the event: 562 items were donated to UT Dallas’ food pantry dedicated to helping students in need.