How can I persuade a university or other academic institution to conduct some research for me?

Question

Its for some non-fiction that I am writing. What incentives could there be for a university to help me? I have offered to fund the research myself, i just need their faciliities and expertise.

Answer 1

Remember that it's not 'the university' that would be conducting the research, it's individuals who work there. Academic staff have their own research interests and projects that they want to work on. They don't do research work just because the university tells them to. The bit of their job that's laid down for them is their teaching, not their research.

You could try identifying the department which has the expertise you need in your local university, then putting an advert up on their departmental notice board saying you're prepared to pay expenses if anyone's interested. You might get a response from a grad student. It depends what your project is and how much work would be involved.

Answer 2

There has to be some benefit to them. I teach in a business school, and we frequently have companies offering us the "great opportunity" to do consulting work for them, on the idea that it would be good for our students. Unless it fits into what we specifically want our students to learn, we have to say no to them. Universities have their own agendas, and unless your research fits into what they want to accomplish, they won't do it for you.

Answer 3

lol. give them a million dollars and they'll think about it.