Grants Factory 20131 GRANTS FACTORY WRITING GROUPS 2013 - 14 Essential Elements of a Good Grant Application Mick Tuite School of Biosciences [email protected]

Grants Factory 2013 1

GRANTS FACTORY WRITING GROUPS

2013 - 14

Essential Elements of a Good Grant Application

Mick TuiteSchool of [email protected]


My experience......



2Grants Factory 2013


Score Range: 3.0-3.9Definition: GoodWork that has merit and meets the majority of the assessment criteria to an adequate level and is likely to advance the field

Guidance to panel: Fundable in principle but unlikely to be funded

Reality:Never funded


Score Range: 4.0-4.9Definition: Very GoodWork that is internationally competitive and meets the majority of the assessment criteria to a high level and will advance the field

Guidance to panel: Fundable

Reality:Very unlikely to be funded


Score Range: 5.0-5.9Definition: ExcellentWork that is of high international standard and addresses and meets the majority of the assessment criteria to a very high level and will answer important questions in the field


Reality:In with a chance!!


Score Range: 6.0-6.9Definition: ExceptionalWork that is at the leading edge internationally, addresses all of the assessment criteria, and meets the majority of them to an exceptional level. Likely to have a significant impact on the field


Reality:Almost a dead cert!

The Research Funding Toolkit

http://www.researchfundingtoolkit.org/

Jacqueline Aldridge

Andrew Derrington


What makes a project ‘fundable’?

.....asks an important question...

.....that will be answered.....

.....in a cost effective manner...

.....by someone who knows what they are doing....

.....that will have ‘impact’....


......asks an important question...

......that will be answered.....

.......in a cost effective manner...

....by someone who knows what they are doing....

....................................................IMPORTANCE

....................................................SUCCESS

.....................................................VALUE

.....................................................COMPETENCE

.....................................................IMPACT

What makes a project ‘fundable’?


The ‘Case for Support’

ExciteExcite NeedNeed SolvableSolvable


Constructing the Case for Support

OPENING LINES

PROJECT MANAGEMENT, DISSEMINATON,KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER, ETHICS etc

BACKGROUND

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

WORK PLAN

Preview


Aim(s): what your project should achieve overall. e.g. cure Alzheimer’s

Objectives: what you will do to achieve your aime.g. identify the ‘rogue’ protein

Outputs: the objectives or activities that you will have delivered by the end of your project

e.g. identified the ‘rogue’ Alzheimer’s protein

Outcomes: the differences that will have been made by delivering your objectives and achieving your output

e.g. a new drug target for Alzheimer’s

Aims, Objectives, Outputs and Outcomes


Constructing the Case for Support: Opening Lines

What is the question you are asking? Why is it an important question? Why it will bring a step change in the field!

• 2-3 sentences• Accessible language• Simple message(s)• Excitement• Timeliness

“...a foot in the door......”


Lay/Technical Summary......

Lay Summary: Describes the proposed research in simple terms in a way that could be publicised to a ‘general audience’

Technical Summary: Describes the proposed research in a mannersuitable for a ‘specialist reader’

Why are the summaries important?Why are the summaries important?First thing read by the introducing panel member...who might not be a specialist in the topic......and likely to be read by other members of the panel

What should they do?What should they do?Make it abundantly clear ..... - why this project is interesting, exciting - why the project must be funded now - what the wider ‘impact’ of the project will be


Constructing the Case for Support: Background

What is known...? What is not known...? What must we know....? Why now...? Why am I the right person...?

• Familiarity with the literature• Avoid too much self-citation• Use simple diagrams• Reiterate importance of project• Include preliminary data


Constructing the Case for Support: Aims & Objectives

Specific research questions.... No more than 5......

• Logical flow • Avoid interdependency• Idea of timelines (6 month resolution)


1 2 3 4 5 OUTCOMEOUTCOME

1 2

3 4

5

OUTCOMEOUTCOME

Constructing the Case for Support: Work plan

Defined work packages Start with the objective End with the expected outcome

Sufficient technical detail Appropriate methodology Highlight innovative approaches

• Be ambitious yet realistic• Avoid jargon/lab slang• Include alternative approaches• Be alert to health & safety and ethical issues


GANTT Chart

Constructing the Case for Support:Overview

OPENING LINES/PREVIEW

BACKGROUND

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

WORK PLAN

PROJECT MANAGEMENT, DISSEMINATON,REFERENCES, ETHICS etc

~ 5%


Less strategic importance compared to other proposals

Proposal poorly written

Insufficient preliminary data Proposal lacked focus

Proposal overambitious and unlikely to achieve all of its objectives

Proposal lacked detail

Work programmes poorly integrated

Lack of relevant expertise

Under resourced Poor track record

Will not significantly advance the field

Poor value for money

Will not significantly increase knowledge in the field

Costs not adequately justified

Is this project of international quality and therefore worthy of funding? Yes / No Please X any of the following standardised comments that apply to this proposal :

Why Do Committees Say NO!!

In order of priority, please specify the STRENGTHS of the proposal:• •

In order of priority, please specify the WEAKNESSES of the proposal:• •


What Other Steps Can I Take.....?

• Profile/standing in your field Research/conference papers Seminars/conference talks

• Presentation of grant12pt Arial, layout Use of images (unpublished data) Proofread! Avoid extensive self-citation

• Achievable ‘pathway to impact’

• Realistic costings


10 Tips For Writing a Successful Application

1. Read the eligibility rules2. Leave plenty of time to prepare3. No unexplained jargon4. Get other people to read it 5. Explain why the research is needed6. Network effectively7. Justify extra time or resources8. Participate in funding panels 9. Interpret referees feedback carefully10.Plan applications in batches

Blog: The Guardian ‘Learning & Teaching Hub’April 2013

http://fundermental.blogspot.co.uk/

http://fundermental.blogspot.co.uk/

Documents

Grants Factory 20131 GRANTS FACTORY WRITING GROUPS 2013 - 14 Essential Elements of a Good Grant Application Mick Tuite School of Biosciences [email protected]