In what scenario is collaboration often proposed in research funding applications?

Collaboration is often proposed in research funding applications when broader expertise is needed. This scenario emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of many research projects, which require diverse perspectives, skills, and knowledge bases to address complex questions or problems effectively. By bringing together experts from different fields, researchers can enhance the quality of their work, foster innovative approaches, and improve the overall impact of their research outcomes.

The need for collaboration arises when a project cannot be adequately addressed by a single discipline alone. For example, a research initiative in environmental science may benefit from the input of ecologists, chemists, policy analysts, and social scientists to comprehensively understand and address the multifaceted issues at hand.

In contrast, scenarios that involve only one discipline, require immediate results, or have fixed funding limits may not inherently necessitate collaboration. In those instances, a single investigator or a homogenous team might be more appropriate based on the nature and scope of the research. Thus, proposing collaboration in research funding applications is particularly relevant when there is a clear need for diverse expertise to ensure the success and robustness of the research endeavor.