How to develop a successful grant proposal

1. How to develop a successful grant proposal Min Du Department of Animal Science

2. A novel and testable idea addressing an important question Central hypothesis Separated into two or three working hypothesis and corresponding specific aims Approach: how could these working hypothesis be tested by experiments Alternative strategies if the proposed approach does not work Future directions

3. Writing a successful grant proposal How to generate a novel and feasible idea? • Identify a hot topic which is high on the priority list. • Fat deposition, a crucial problem for animal agriculture. • What is the knowledge gap? • Could the knowledge gap be addressed by using our laboratory techniques and within our laboratory strength?

4. Writing a successful grant proposal Central hypothesis? • Most research grant proposals are hypothesis driven. • Must have a clean, clear hypothesis. • The hypothesis needs to be well justified by literature and preliminary data to be feasible. • But not proven!!! • Can the central hypothesis be divided into two or three smaller hypotheses? These are working hypothesis and specific aims.

5. Writing a successful grant proposal Approach • Develop approach for each aim. • Must utilize the strength of the lab and your research experience. • The ability to use new techniques need to be demonstrated by preliminary studies. • Collaborations if these techniques are not available in the lab.

6. Writing a successful grant proposal Potential pitfalls and alternative strategies: • Very important. • To let reviewers know that success is ensured. • Even if those proposed experiments do not work, you have a backup plan for it!!!

7. Writing a successful grant proposal Future directions and follow up plans: • Very important too. • Reviewers want to know where you will go after receiving this funding. • Especially important for seed grant.

8. A novel and testable idea addressing an important question Central hypothesis Separated into two or three working hypothesis and corresponding specific aims Approach: how could these working hypothesis be tested by experiments Alternative strategies if the proposed approach does not work Future directions

9. Writing a successful grant proposal for a new investigator What are most important for a successful grant proposal? • A novel idea. • The targeted problem must be important. • The proposal must be focused! • The idea must be testable. • Keep the proposal simple but has depth.