C& F Director , Science and International Initiatives

1. Grant Writing Angelika Hofmann C&F Director, Science and International Initiatives Instructor for Scientific Writing, Yale University

2. Overview • Writing Basics • Grant Writing • Content and Format • Proposal Sections • Best Practices

3. Relaying Information scientists in your fields reader reader reader scientists outside your field reader Publish Apply reviewers data/results Writing reader Nobel laureates editors reader students reader scientists whose native language is not English reader Scientific Writing Rules

4. Four Aspects Affecting Readers Composition Style Content Format Scientific Writing Principles

5. Components of Style and Composition Word Choice Word Sentence Structure Sentence Paragraph Structure Paragraph Location Location Location Degree to which errors bother readers

6. Readers and Writers Basic Precept: Write with the reader in mind

7. Words

8. Word Choice A. Words should be SIMPLE B. Words should be NECESSARY We utilized form Z. We used form Z. In order to achieve this goal, we… To achieve this goal, we...

9. Redundancies and Jargon

10. Redundancies and Jargon Avoid unnecessary words and phrases Example period of time final outcome already existing T ExampleIt is well known that there are three subtypes of the KL-2 virus...

11. Redundancies and Jargon Avoid unnecessary words and phrases Example 4 There is a large body of experimental evidence that clearly shows that members of the genus Crotalus congregate simultaneously in cases of prolonged decreased temperature conditions in the later part of the year. Revision Rattlesnakes come together when it gets cold in the fall.

12. Word Location Know the Power Positions

13. Word Location Word choice Sentence interpretation Word location Example ABees collect pollen. B Bees collect not only pollen but also nectar. CPollen is collected by bees. topic stress topic stress topic stress Old /familiar information – beginning of sentence New/important information – end of sentence

14. Word Location and Composition Example Macular degenerationis affected bydiet. One of the diet componentsthat influences the progression of macular degeneration isvitamin B6. Althoughvitamin B6seems to reduce the risk of macular degeneration, it may have some side effects. ? side effects

15. Sentences

16. Grammar and Technical Style • Use short sentences • Use first person and active voice • Use correct verb tense

17. Grammar and Technical Style First person and active voice Example This study was carried out to determine..... Revision We carried out this study to determine.... Past tense - for observations, completed actions, and specific conclusions ExampleThe infusion caused local irritation. Present tense - for generalizations and statements ofgeneral validity Example Most regions where this problem arises belongto category X. Future tense - for actions you are planning Example We will determine if a vaccine can be used.

18. Paragraphs

19. Paragraph Organization Key terms Power positions last first Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted from a variety of manmade and natural sources. Manmade sources include motor vehicles, chemical plants, refineries, factories, consumer and commercial products, and other industrial sources. Natural sources responsible for biogenic VOC emissions include oak, citrus, eucalyptus, pine, spruce, maple, hickory, fir, and cottonwood. The overall relative contributions of manmade versus natural sources of VOCs have not been clearly established. However, the relative contributions of these source groups vary depending on geography.

20. Grant Writing

21. Proposal Formats • Do your homework! • Obtain specific forms if available • Obtain specific guidelines and….. • FOLLOW THEM! • Plan to start early • Submit on time • NSF discards nearly 20% of submitted • proposals due to guidelines not being followed

22. Basic Elements of an R01 Proposal • Cover Letter • Title page • Abstract and Specific Aims • Significance • Innovation • Research Approach • Summary • Budget • References • Biographical sketches

23. Abstract: Content Include: Brief Background Unknown or problem Objective General strategy [Specific Aims] Significance/implication Consider power positions Remember: the abstract might be the only thing some reviewers will read!

24. Abstract: Example Infections caused by multidrug resistant bacteria have increased markedly. New and improved antibiotics are urgently needed to combat this ever increasing number of multidrug resistant bacteria. However, only two new classes of chemical antibiotics have been approved in the past 30 years. We propose to develop a new family of designer ABC [antibiotics] that is effective against drug-resistant bacteria found in community and hospital settings. We will design such antibiotics using ribosomes isolated from wild type Staphylococcus aureus and applying structural analysis, crystallography, as well as computational chemistry techniques. This new family of ABC [antibiotics] will offer a broader spectrum of application in the field of antibiotics and reduce ABC [antibiotics] resistance. Background Problem Objective Approach Significance

25. Specific Aims • Place aims into abstract or into separate section • For list form: Under each Specific Aim: • Rationale or preliminary results • General approach • Expected outcome

26. Specific Aims • Use active language • 2-5 Specific Aims • Be realistic about what you will accomplish Do • Be vague • Be unspecific • Do not propose to save the world Don’t Remember, to get your next grant you will have to prove you followed through on this one!

27. Specific Aims: Example Example To evaluate this hypothesis, we will carry out three specific aims: Aim 1. Characterization of XXX.Our preliminary data indicates that ... We will now comprehensively measure …. We will use …and expect to achieve… Aim 2….. preliminary results title approach outcome

28. Abstract and Specific Aims Most Common Problems •   Omission of parts •   Excessive length •   Unrealistic aims •   Excessive interdependence of aims

29. Significance • Show impact • 1-2 sentences at end of Abstract • Detailed version under Significance section • Discuss overall benefits: in the field outside the field for society overall Do • Propose to save the world • Make it hard for the reviewer to find the information Don’t

30. Significance • Establish significance by relating project to: • Timeliness • Solution to a practical problem • Applicability to a wide or critical population • Fills a research gap • Advances a specific field of research

31. Significance Example The proposed work is significant because it addresses an important unmet clinical need: Alzheimer’s disease. The fundamental information generated from this proposal will contribute to novel treatments and improved disease outcomes for affected patients. Such information is particularly important as our older population is starting to outgrow our younger population within the next three decades (7). Accordingly, the number of Alzheimer’s patients can be expected to increase. Yet we understand little about how to treat people effectively once afflicted with the disease. Alzheimer’s disease is affecting ….

32. Innovation Innovative ≠ Significance Examples of what to emphasize: • New approaches or methodologies • New combination of expertise • Innovative methods • Innovative equipment • Refinements • Improvements • New specific aim • Paradigm shift – with caution

33. Content of Innovation Section Include the following elements: Overview - if section is longer than 1-2 paragraphs Background/General context/Preliminary results Statement of Need/Problem Innovation statement(s) Approach (optional) Impact

34. Innovation Example Example Experiments outlined in this application will employ a novel goal in deciphering eukaryotic ribosome structure. Previous studies have only been carried out without inhibitors. Our studies will look at eukaryotic ribosome structure in the presence of inhibitors. Innovation Statement Problem Context Explanation

35. Research Design / Methods • Biggest part of the proposal • Describes planned approach • Addresses problems set up in Significance

36. Research Design / MethodsOrganization • Organize by subsections acc. to Specific Aims • Within the subsections, cover: Rationale Experimental design Analysis Expected Results Alternative Strategies

37. Research Design / Methods Example Aim 1. Determining regulation of Y and Z by different isoforms This aim focuses on examining how the different XX isoforms … Experimental design We have already established ….. To continue this analysis, we will … Analysis and Expected Results First we will confirm X…. Then, we will examine Y…. Finally, we will test Z… These experiments will ultimately define how A is regulated.

38. Common Problems in the Research Design Section • Too much background/preliminary results • Too many details • No expected outcomes • Pitfalls/alternate approach describes additional experiments

39. Best Practices

40. When You are Done Writing Edit, edit, edit then have some other people edit

41. If you are rejected… Try, try again • Re-evaluate • Re-use • Re-apply

42. When Funding is Offered Celebrate !

43. Thank you !