Which collaborations to pursue

As I am working on getting funding for my next cycle of projects, I am reflecting on how I select my collaborations – both funded and unfunded ideas to work on.

Here are a few questions I tend to ask myself:

• What does the funding status mean for me? If the project will be funded, what will be in there for me? Is it going to be a lot of work together writing a proposal? If it is an unfunded collaboration, what would be in there for me in terms of future opportunities?
• Do I have time to work on the proposal or project? For starters, can I take this proposal writing or project on? If I think I don’t have the time for it, can I prioritize it if it turns out to be something I may be super enthusiastic about?
• For funded projects, can I cover some of my expenses? The administrative side of things – will I be able to fund researchers, experiments, travel, and/or anything else on the project?
• For funded projects, can I write hours? The other administrative part – does it keep me afloat in our system by providing me with billable hours?
• Does the topic seem to be fun? Important as well – does it make me enthusiastic, happy, energetic? What is the general vibe I get around the topic?
• Does the topic align with my current and future research interests? Besides the vibe I get, does it align with my current research portfolio and plans for expanding into other topics or following up from past projects?
• Do I want to work with this collaborator(s)? Very important in a collaboration is, well, your actual ability to collaborate. How compatible are your research interests, working styles, and characters? Will you be having a good time working on the proposal or project together?

These are some of the considerations I make when deciding to take on a new project or not – maybe this list of things to think through can serve you as well.

Which questions do you ask yourself when deciding or not to take on a collaboration?