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Grant writing Faculty of Education. Australian Catholic University. STATE OF PLAY. Research grants are the dominant way for academic researchers to get resources to focus on research INVARIANT : there is never enough money So you need to maximise your chances
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Grant writingFaculty of Education Australian Catholic University
STATE OF PLAY • Research grants are the dominant way for academic researchers to get resources to focus on research • INVARIANT: there is never enough money • So you need to maximise your chances • Even a strong proposal is in a lottery, but a weak one will certainly not get funded • Strong proposals take care and time
The Stages of Proposal Development • Planning • Writing • Submission • Timelines(you may be driven by submission dates – but writing a competitive proposal takes a great deal of time – allow up to 9 months for an ARC application from start to submission)
Planning Stage • Review the Literature • Update your CV – include only the last 5 years • Develop a Research Theme • Refine Project Objectives • Search for Funding Opportunities • Start thinking who you may work with • Prepare a Project Outline
Writing Stage • Your Audience • With luck, your proposal will be read carefully by one or two experts. You must convince them. • But it will certainly be read superficially by non-experts … and they will be the panel members. You absolutely must convince them too. • Some influential readers will be non-experts, and will give you one minute maximum. • So write clearly, get non-experts to read it, and do not use too much jargon.
Writing for a tender • Read the call for proposals • Try to understand what the motivation of the agency (or company) is • Understand their criteria, and write your proposal to address them • But do not prostitute your research. Write a proposal for good research that you are genuinely excited about. • Do not exceed the page limit
Find a reason to telephone (not email) the program manager. S/he is a Human Being, and is constantly on the lookout for original research. • Build your relationship. Invite them to visit your institute. Offer to help as a reviewer. Ask what you can do that would help them. Do not begin by making demands (everyone else does).
General Project Outline • Statement of Need • Goals and Objectives • Background • Methods • Evaluation • Budget
Background • Overview of current literature • Develops rationale for the study • Defines the scope of the problem • Identifies gaps in current knowledge • Generates an understanding of need for the research • Culminates in the Purpose of the study
Introduction • Establish your credibility in the area • Reveal a familiarity with the subject matter and the literature • Identifies gaps and how this project will fill those gaps • Reflect why this project is the logical “next step” in the area
Goals and Objectives • Goal: simple statement of what you want to accomplish • The Goal guides the Objectives • Objectives: the measurable outcomes of your goal • Specific, measurable and achievable in the specified time frame • Objectives help to define the methods • Tell what will be done and when
Statement of Need • What is the specific problem you want to address and why? • Brief, clear and concise statement of the “global” theme or “problem” • Should demonstrate the Significance and Impact of the problem in relation to agency’s goals
Related work - Tips • Goal 1: demonstrate that you totally know the field. Appearing ignorant of relevant related work is certain death. • Goal 2: a spring-board for describing your promising idea • But that is all! Do not spend too many words on comparative discussion. The experts will know it; the non-experts won’t care.
Literature Review • Prove to the reviewer why this research needs to be addressed • Show the gaps in the current literature • Identify strengths and weaknesses in current published research in the area • Look for limitations and address them in your project
Methods • What specific activities will enable you to meet the objectives? • Study Design (descriptive) • Subjects/Participants • Recruitment and Study Feasibility • Outcome Measurement Tools • Procedures • Data Management and Analysis Plans
Budget • General Concepts to Keep in Mind • Staff: Number and qualifications • Facilities: Offices, laboratories etc. • Equipment: Have vs Need • Time: How long will it take to complete each major task in the methods? • Agency Limitations
General Tips to Keep in Mind ... • Write a topic sentence for each heading • Make one point in each paragraph • Keep sentences short • Use bullets and list • Keep related ideas and information together • Include transitions (I.e. “furthermore, additionally”) • If writing is not your strength, get help!
In Summary • Here is a well-defined problem • It’s an important problem (evidence …) • We have a promising idea (evidence …) • We are a world-class team (evidence …) • Here is what we hope to achieve • Here is how we plan to build on our idea to achieve it • Give us the money. Please.
Peer Review • Ask others to read your proposal critically • Revise, and ask someone else • Repeat • Worthwhile: what someone thinks after a 10-minute read is Really, Really Important • Informative: after reading 20 proposals by others, you’ll write better ones yourself • Effective: dramatic increases in quality. There is just no excuse for not doing this.
Submission Stage • Preparing your application for submission takes time • Complete the agency’s forms • Review narrative, budget and appendices to follow agency guidelines • Assemble the grant application package • Review for content and style • Get approvals and signatures
Before you send it … Submission checklist • a. The proposal must be NEAT, COMPLETE, and ON TIME, with the requested number of copies and original authorised signatures. • b. Address the proposal as directed in the guidelines. • c. Be sure to include required documentation.
How Much Time Should It Take? • 3 to 6 months from conceptualisation to submission • 9 to 12 months from submission to start-up • This depends on the grants • Some bodies want you to start straight away • Remember though it will take you a minimum of 3 months to start a project • Time for ethics approval • Time for signing of contracts • Time for employing Research Assistants • Time for instrument development
Review Criteria … Think Like a Reviewer!
General Review Criteria • Significance • Approach and Feasibility • Innovation • Investigator’s experience • Environment
Significance • Ability of the project to further the funding agencies objectives • Does the research relate to the program applied to? • Does the proposal address a new area or direction in the literature? • Has the project narrative established a need for this research?
Approach and Feasibility • Are the methods and budget feasible to attain the stated objectives? • Is the methodology sound? • Will the study design effectively measure what it is supposed to? • Are the budget and timeline appropriate to be successful?
Innovation • Is the approach to the research original? • What is so new about this research? • What will draw the reviewers’ attention? • Where is this going to lead?
Investigator • Does the PI have the experience and expertise to conduct the research? • Publication and Funding History • Program of Research • Academic Record • Does the research team have the expertise to conduct the research? • Quality/Calibre of the research team
Key Concepts to Keep in Mind • Make Life EASY for Reviewers • Label all materials clearly • Keep things short and simple • Guide reviewers with graphics • Edit and proof-read your work • Organization is key to a positive review!
