Post on 25-Dec-2015
Grants Factory 2013 1
GRANTS FACTORY WRITING GROUPS
2013 - 14
Essential Elements of a Good Grant Application
Mick TuiteSchool of BiosciencesM.F.Tuite@kent.ac.uk
Mick TuiteSchool of BiosciencesM.F.Tuite@kent.ac.uk
My experience......
Mick TuiteSchool of BiosciencesM.F.Tuite@kent.ac.uk
Mick TuiteSchool of BiosciencesM.F.Tuite@kent.ac.uk
2Grants Factory 2013
Grants Factory 2013 3
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
Grants Factory 2013 4
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
Grants Factory 2013 5
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
Guidance to panel: Fundable
Reality:In with a chance!!
Grants Factory 2013 6
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
Guidance to panel: Fundable
Reality:Almost a dead cert!
The Research Funding Toolkit
http://www.researchfundingtoolkit.org/
Jacqueline Aldridge
Andrew Derrington
7Grants Factory 2013
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’....
8Grants Factory 2013
......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’?
9Grants Factory 2013
Constructing the Case for Support
OPENING LINES
PROJECT MANAGEMENT, DISSEMINATON,KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER, ETHICS etc
BACKGROUND
AIMS & OBJECTIVES
WORK PLAN
Preview
11Grants Factory 2013
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
12Grants Factory 2013
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......”
13Grants Factory 2013
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
14Grants Factory 2013
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
15Grants Factory 2013
Constructing the Case for Support: Aims & Objectives
Specific research questions.... No more than 5......
• Logical flow • Avoid interdependency• Idea of timelines (6 month resolution)
16Grants Factory 2013
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
17Grants Factory 2013
GANTT Chart
Constructing the Case for Support:Overview
OPENING LINES/PREVIEW
BACKGROUND
AIMS & OBJECTIVES
WORK PLAN
PROJECT MANAGEMENT, DISSEMINATON,REFERENCES, ETHICS etc
~ 5%
18Grants Factory 2013
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:• •
19Grants Factory 2013
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
20Grants Factory 2013
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/