Grant writing
Faculty of Education
Australian Catholic University
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STATE OF PLAY
Research grants are the dominant way for academic
researchers to get resources to focus on research
INVARIANT: there is never enough money
So you need to maximise your chances
Even a strong proposal is in a lottery, but a weak one
will certainly not get funded
Strong proposals take care and time
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The Stages of Proposal Development
Planning
Writing
Submission
Timelines (you may be driven by submission dates – but writing a
competitive proposal takes a great deal of time – allow up to 9 months for an
ARC application from start to submission)
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Planning Stage
Review the Literature
Update your CV – include only the last 5 years
Develop a Research Theme
Refine Project Objectives
Search for Funding Opportunities
Start thinking who you may work with
Prepare a Project Outline
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Writing Stage
Your Audience
With luck, your proposal will be read carefully by one or two
experts. You must convince them.
But it will certainly be read superficially by non-experts … and
they will be the panel members. You absolutely must convince
them too.
Some influential readers will be non-experts, and will give you one
minute maximum.
So write clearly, get non-experts to read it, and do not use
too much jargon.
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Writing for a tender
Read the call for proposals
Try to understand what the motivation of the agency (or company) is
Understand their criteria, and write your proposal to address them
But do not prostitute your research. Write a proposal for good
research that you are genuinely excited about.
Do not exceed the page limit
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Find a reason to telephone (not email) the program manager. S/he
is a Human Being, and is constantly on the lookout for original
research.
Build your relationship. Invite them to visit your institute. Offer to
help as a reviewer. Ask what you can do that would help them.
Do not begin by making demands (everyone else does).
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General Project Outline
I. Statement of Need
II. Goals and Objectives
III. Background
IV. Methods
V. Evaluation
VI. Budget
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Background
Overview of current literature
Develops rationale for the study
Defines the scope of the problem
Identifies gaps in current knowledge
Generates an understanding of need for the research
Culminates in the Purpose of the study
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Introduction
Establish your credibility in the area
Reveal a familiarity with the subject matter and the literature
Identifies gaps and how this project will fill those gaps
Reflect why this project is the logical “next step” in the area
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Goals and Objectives
Goal: simple statement of what you want to accomplish
» The Goal guides the Objectives
Objectives: the measurable outcomes of your goal
» Specific, measurable and achievable in the specified time frame
» Objectives help to define the methods
» Tell what will be done and when
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Statement of Need
What is the specific problem you want to address and why?
Brief, clear and concise statement of the “global” theme or “problem”
Should demonstrate the Significance and Impact of the problem in
relation to agency’s goals
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Related work - Tips
Goal 1: demonstrate that you totally know the field. Appearing
ignorant of relevant related work is certain death.
Goal 2: a spring-board for describing your promising idea
But that is all! Do not spend too many words on comparative
discussion. The experts will know it; the non-experts won’t care.
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Literature Review
Prove to the reviewer why this research needs to be addressed
Show the gaps in the current literature
Identify strengths and weaknesses in current published research in
the area
Look for limitations and address them in your project
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Methods
What specific activities will enable you to meet the objectives?
Study Design (descriptive)
Subjects/Participants
Recruitment and Study Feasibility
Outcome Measurement Tools
Procedures
Data Management and Analysis Plans
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Budget
General Concepts to Keep in Mind
Staff: Number and qualifications
Facilities: Offices, laboratories etc.
Equipment: Have vs Need
Time: How long will it take to complete each major task in the
methods?
Agency Limitations
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General Tips to Keep in Mind ...
Write a topic sentence for each heading
Make one point in each paragraph
Keep sentences short
Use bullets and list
Keep related ideas and information together
Include transitions (I.e. “furthermore, additionally”)
If writing is not your strength, get help!
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In Summary
1. Here is a well-defined problem
2. It’s an important problem (evidence …)
3. We have a promising idea (evidence …)
4. We are a world-class team (evidence …)
5. Here is what we hope to achieve
6. Here is how we plan to build on our idea to
achieve it
7. Give us the money. Please.
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Peer Review
Ask others to read your proposal critically
Revise, and ask someone else
Repeat
Worthwhile: what someone thinks after a 10-
minute read is Really, Really Important
Informative: after reading 20 proposals by others,
you’ll write better ones yourself
Effective: dramatic increases in quality. There is
just no excuse for not doing this.
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Submission Stage
Preparing your application for submission takes time
Complete the agency’s forms
Review narrative, budget and appendices to follow agency
guidelines
Assemble the grant application package
Review for content and style
Get approvals and signatures
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Before you send it …
Submission checklist
a. The proposal must be NEAT, COMPLETE,
and ON TIME, with the requested number of
copies and original authorised signatures.
b. Address the proposal as directed in the
guidelines.
c. Be sure to include required documentation.
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How Much Time Should It Take?
3 to 6 months from conceptualisation to submission
9 to 12 months from submission to start-up
This depends on the grants
Some bodies want you to start straight away
» Remember though it will take you a minimum of 3 months to start a
project
– Time for ethics approval
– Time for signing of contracts
– Time for employing Research Assistants
– Time for instrument development
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Review Criteria …
Think Like a Reviewer!
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General Review Criteria
Significance
Approach and Feasibility
Innovation
Investigator’s experience
Environment
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Significance
Ability of the project to further the funding agencies objectives
Does the research relate to the program applied to?
Does the proposal address a new area or direction in the literature?
Has the project narrative established a need for this research?
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Approach and Feasibility
Are the methods and budget feasible to attain the stated
objectives?
Is the methodology sound?
Will the study design effectively measure what it is supposed to?
Are the budget and timeline appropriate to be successful?
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Innovation
Is the approach to the research original?
What is so new about this research?
What will draw the reviewers’ attention?
Where is this going to lead?
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Investigator
Does the PI have the experience and expertise to conduct the
research?
Publication and Funding History
Program of Research
Academic Record
Does the research team have the expertise to conduct the
research?
Quality/Calibre of the research team
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Key Concepts to Keep in Mind
Make Life EASY for Reviewers
Label all materials clearly
Keep things short and simple
Guide reviewers with graphics
Edit and proof-read your work
Organization is key to a positive review!
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