<p>In my grad career I wrote many a funding proposal to the usual alphabet agencies because that is how funding worked. It may be different in a larger school I guess but in our school (directional state turned sort of flagship with a respected doctoral comp sci program) once you get accepted as a research associate for a specific funded project part of your duties often included helping the PI find other sources of funding… </p>
<p>The PI would come up with some research proposal idea which we would then flesh out, maybe develop or expand into some proof of concept, then put in the right form, and send to alphabet agencies. It was not a big deal in terms of time or effort but it gave new insight to the publish or perish mentality. It basically convinced me of the AMWAY-ness of it all.</p>
<p>All my publications were in refereed or peer reviewed national conferences sponsored by big names (i. e. ACM) and I did not find that to be a big issue. I have not published anything in decades as i am in the industry and having received a couple of patents the absurdity of the patent system is well beyond what academia would ever imagine. </p>
<p>We have our own dog and pony shows in the industry as well. I have done mostly research work in my career and just like in academia the politics are a big factor of success. I have had products in nearly every Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show in the last decade, no fun, a lot of work, and unlike academia where you at least publish a paper or three out of a research project, our work is often buried after each show. If we bring more funding ie customers maybe a pat in the back, if not, good luck next year assuming no layoffs :)</p>