Winning funding has become a crucial aspect of ‘success’ for researchers. Academics are often evaluated by universities and research institutes based on their publications and grant income, with the weight of each varying by country.
Most working academics write one or two funding applications annually, many of which face rejection.
Academics typically write grant applications to secure funding for:
- Targeted research projects
- Research teams and student funding
- Personal support, particularly at early career ‘postdoctoral’ stages
Grant support is usually provided for a limited time and, unlike paper writing, applications are typically focused on specific projects that have not yet been completed.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH)—a significant federal funding body for scientific research—reported a 20% success rate for new research project funding in 2022. This means that only one in ten applicants who submitted grant proposals from around the world received financial support from the NIH to carry out their research.
For researchers, dealing with the arduous and detailed process of grant writing and making these odds work in your favor is essential for your career progression, regardless of your current position on the academic ladder.
To understand the challenges of grant applications and to learn the strategies and best practices that can improve your chances of success, it’s crucial to first understand why grant applications are so difficult to secure. This involves knowing what reviewers look for in grant applications and identifying common pitfalls that many applications encounter.
What Reviewers Look for in Research Funding Applications: A Guide to Grant Writing
According to reviewers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), many applicants fail to adequately support their hypotheses and address contingency plans if their initial approach proves unsuccessful.
Additionally, some applicants struggle to justify the importance of their proposed studies.
When writing a grant application, it’s crucial to present evidence that the project you’re seeking funding for can succeed. This often involves including some initial data or preliminary results, even if most of the research is still ahead.
Completely “blue sky” projects that lack any preliminary data are generally much harder to secure funding for. Unlike academic papers, which typically report on completed projects with data that has already been collected, analyzed, and discussed, grant applications need to convince reviewers of the project’s potential based on early evidence.
While various elements contribute to the success of an application, reviewers ultimately prioritize the scientific merit of the proposal. This merit is assessed based on several key criteria:
Influence in the Field of Research
If the project’s goals are met, how will the current scientific understanding and capabilities progress, and what impact will this have on the field?
Innovating Beyond Current Standards
Does the proposed research aim to challenge and improve upon existing concepts and methodologies?
Well-Reasoned Approach
Is the project designed with a comprehensive strategy that includes an unbiased approach, an understanding of potential obstacles, alternative methods, and clearly defined milestones?
While this list is not exhaustive, these factors are crucial in creating a strong grant application with a higher likelihood of positive reviews.
For example, Dr. David Wagner’s publicly available grant application in autoimmune research, specifically type 1 diabetes, received praise from reviewers for its solid foundation based on credible data, rigorous experimental design, and promising preliminary results.
Grant Writing Tips to Improve Your Grant Applications
Crafting an excellent grant application and navigating the grant writing process can pose challenges. It requires thorough research and utilizing scientifically supported insights to bolster your proposal.
Below are key tips to refine your grant application and make a strong impression:
Align with the Grant Requirements
Thoroughly read the submission criteria and guiding principles of the grant organization, and make sure to highlight how your proposal aligns with them.
This may seem like a simple housekeeping step, but it can significantly impact reviewers by demonstrating that you have tailored your application to meet the specific requirements and expectations of the funding body.
Emphasize the Importance of Your Proposal
When drafting your grant application, focus on explaining why you want to investigate the aims you have identified and why the outcome of your research is important in a broader context.
Developing a concise and compelling elevator pitch can help you clearly articulate the significance of your proposal.
Seek Early Feedback on Your Application
Getting a thorough critique of your grant application early in the writing process from friends, colleagues, or professional grant reviewers/editing services is crucial. This can help you break out of your thought patterns and biases, allowing you to reflect on your proposal from multiple perspectives.
The diversity and depth this exercise brings can greatly enhance the quality and appeal of your grant application.
Grant Writing Top Tip
One of the top tips for successful grant writing, as highlighted by internationally successful researchers, is to incorporate clear and easy-to-understand pictures in your proposals.
This advice emphasizes the power of visuals in conveying messages, hypotheses, experiments, or data more effectively than words alone.
Considering that grant application reviewers often have limited time and may not be subject area specialists, using visuals can streamline communication and ensure that key information is easily understood.
When crafting your proposal, focus on addressing key points such as the research question, the methodology for testing it throughout the proposal’s lifespan, and why your team is well-equipped for the project.
By using visuals strategically, you can save time, energy, and keep your proposal within the funding agency’s specified word count, making it more compelling and accessible to reviewers.
Understand Your Audience: Tailoring Grant Applications for Reviewers
When writing a grant application, it’s essential to understand that your audience consists of a much smaller group compared to an academic paper—primarily just the reviewers.
Therefore, it’s crucial to know who will be reviewing your proposal and the context in which they will evaluate it:
- Review Context: Is your proposal being reviewed by a national funding agency or by international colleagues? Understanding the scope of the review process helps tailor the content and presentation of your proposal.
- Reviewer Expertise: Will the reviewers be subject-area specialists or generalists from broad fields such as science or humanities? For example, European Union proposals may be reviewed by colleagues from diverse areas. This knowledge influences how you write your proposal and the level of detail you include.
To effectively tailor your application:
- Research the Funding Agency: Visit the prospective funding agency’s website to understand their proposal management process. Do they use an international board of pre-arranged reviewers, an open international review process, or a closed in-house board of local specialists? This insight can help you align your proposal with their expectations and review mechanisms.
- Consider Networking: In some cases, winning funding might depend on connections within the field. While not always the case, it’s beneficial to be aware of the influence of professional networks in the review process.
Understanding these factors ensures your grant application is well-suited to the reviewers’ expectations and the review context, increasing your chances of securing funding.
Key Elements for Successful Grant Proposal Writing
When writing a grant application, regardless of the research area, several critical aspects can significantly enhance your chances of securing funding.
Here are key considerations to keep in mind:
- Key Message: Ensure your proposal has a central message that is reiterated consistently throughout the text. This helps reviewers grasp the core purpose and significance of your project.
- Clear Aims and Objectives: Define clear and achievable aims and objectives that can be accomplished within the proposal’s timeframe. Clarity in goals enhances the feasibility and credibility of your proposal.
- Testability: Ensure that your proposal is structured in a way that allows for testing. Clearly define hypotheses or research questions that can be empirically evaluated.
- Methodological Clarity: Provide very clear and detailed methods that outline how you will conduct your research. This includes experimental design, data collection, analysis techniques, and any ethical considerations.
- Budget Justification: Have a reasonable and well-explained budget that aligns with your proposed activities. Justify expenses clearly to demonstrate cost-effectiveness and resource allocation.
- Adherence to Structure: Follow the structure outlined by your funding agency, including word count and formatting requirements. Adhering to guidelines shows professionalism and attention to detail.
Writing a grant proposal is similar to crafting an academic paper or presenting at a conference. Begin by introducing your topic and key message, follow with detailed content aligned with proposal guidelines, and conclude by reinforcing your main message.
Clearly articulate what your research project aims to address and how it will be executed to achieve meaningful outcomes.
The Importance of Reviewing Recently Funded Proposals
Seeking out and reviewing recently funded proposals submitted to your agency is indeed crucial for several reasons. Here’s why and how you can benefit from this practice:
- Save Time and Effort: Examining successful proposals can save you time, energy, and stress by providing insights into what works well and what doesn’t in grant applications. This knowledge can guide you in crafting a strong proposal from the outset.
- Avoid “Flying Blind”: Avoid the risk of submitting a grant application without a clear understanding of what reviewers and funding agencies are looking for. Reviewing successful proposals gives you a roadmap to follow and helps you tailor your application to meet expectations.
- Learn from Others: Successful researchers often share valuable tips and strategies in their funded proposals. By reaching out to them, you can learn from their experiences and incorporate effective techniques into your own work.
- Network and Mentorship Opportunities: Contacting funded researchers not only provides insights into successful grant writing but also opens doors for networking and mentorship. Building relationships with experienced researchers can be invaluable, especially for early career researchers.
- Gauge Style and Content: Reviewing multiple successful proposals allows you to understand the style, structure, and content preferences of your funding agency. This knowledge enables you to tailor your proposal effectively and increase its chances of success.
- Utilize University Resources: Many universities have funding officers, researcher development programs, and senior colleagues who can provide guidance and advice on grant writing. Seek out these resources before starting your application to benefit from their expertise.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of writing effective grants for research funding is a journey that requires dedication, research, and strategic planning.
By following the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you can enhance your grant writing skills and increase your chances of securing funding for your valuable research projects. Remember to tailor your proposals to the specific requirements of each funding agency, use clear and compelling language, and leverage visuals when appropriate.
With perseverance and attention to detail, you can create grant applications that stand out and make a compelling case for the importance of your research.
