Grant applications Basic rules Phil Quirke

Start preparing the application early Start preparing the application early. Allow plenty of time to gather required information and submit well before the deadline. Power failures/website crashes happen and are not an excuse for late submission. Allow for University/Trust process Build links to admin and be nice to them Notify people and agree their roles prior to submission Consult accountants early for costs

Developing a convincing, innovative project that has intellectual rigour and integrity.
Research projects should never be thrown together for the sake of a funding scheme that happens to be around. All good researchers have a project (or two, or three…) in the pipe-line, and these get worked up over time (e.g. gaining publications in your newer areas of research to establish track-record).

Creating a strong research team Creating a strong research team.
As well as a compelling project, the collaborative potential for your research team has to be convincing: Have you presented or published together yet? What kinds of connections do you have? Did you just find each other in a staff directory? Present a case for your team that assures the granting body that you are a cohesive, dynamic group with an exciting blend of expertise that will successfully complete the project.

Follow the instructions in the Funding Opportunity Announcement carefully. Place all information in the order requested in the guidance. Don't force reviewers to hunt through your application for information. Answer the right question in the right box There may be a box points system Read the questions carefully — read them again — and then proofread your answers.

Keep your audience in mind Keep your audience in mind. Reviewers will use only the information contained in the application to assess the application. Be sure the application and responses to the program requirements and expectations are complete and clearly written. Do not assume that international reviewers are familiar with your organization, service area, barriers to health care, or health care needs in your community. Keep the review criteria in mind when writing the application.

Be brief, concise, and clear. Make your points understandable Be brief, concise, and clear. Make your points understandable. Provide accurate and honest information, including candid accounts of problems and realistic plans to address them. If any required information or data is omitted, explain why. Make sure the information provided in each table, chart, attachment, etc., is consistent with the proposal narrative and information in other tables. Your budget should reflect back to the proposed activities, and all forms should be filled in accurately and completely.

Be organized and logical Be organized and logical. Many applications fail to receive a high score because the reviewers cannot follow the thought process of the applicant or because parts of the application do not fit together. Reviewers are busy people make it easy for them Structure numbers bullet points layout

The narrative section of the application usually includes: a statement of need, including the project’s purpose, goals, and measurable objectives. This section can also include background on how and why the project was conceived and should include a compelling reason why the proposal should be funded. the planned approach, including an explanation of how the project’s goals and objectives will be met, what activities will be used, what personnel will be needed, and how that personnel will be utilized. a discussion of the assessment procedure, including how the project will be evaluated and specific measurement strategies.

a timeline that includes the start and end dates of the project and a schedule of activities. the applicant’s credentials, including information that demonstrates his or her background and ability to carry out the project successfully. Provide information in a way that clearly demonstrates to the reviewers why the project is needed. Clearly define why it is an important funding opportunity for their business or organization. Let the funder know that the project is important to you and that you’re excited about its possibilities.

Remember to make your narrative clear, concise, and interesting to read. Write professionally, but avoid too much educational jargon. Define any educational buzz words that you do use. (Remember, the reviewers might not be educators!). Abbreviations need to be defined and do not assume knowledge Be specific about your project’s goals and objectives — and focus on results! Most importantly, follow the rules set down by the funder. Don’t assume that more is better or that your way is better. Most funders know what they want and ask for it.

Show evidence of fiscal stability and sound fiscal management Show evidence of fiscal stability and sound fiscal management. Your application should demonstrate your ability to be a responsible steward of public funds. Do not over cost Do not over staff If not enough money say where extra is coming from

The budget provides funders with cost projections for the project The budget provides funders with cost projections for the project. Your budget should be specific, reasonable, realistic, accurate, and flexible — in case the funder wants to negotiate the funding amount. Be sure to include other revenue sources, if any are available. Above all, make sure the budget is consistent with the narrative. Don’t include budget items that aren’t mentioned in the proposal or omit costs for projected activities

Justification of resources Will need to justify the people and their experience/salary level the consumable budget with a breakdown advertisement costs can include services provided by university Travel For some conferences

Overheads On NIHR/MRC grants you can claim overheads but only on academic staff so avoid technicians and go for research assistants On Charity it is 22% of the total funded 2 years afterwards On Industry what you can get away with. Aim for 100%+

Attend to technical details. Use the font requested, forms cannot always use fancy symbols, ensure no special character limitation, the wrong version of Adobe Acrobat or unacceptable file types. May want to write sections in Word and then paste in as grant writing on forms not always easy

Be careful in the use of attachments Be careful in the use of attachments. Do not use the attachments for information that is required in the body of the application. Be sure to cross-reference all tables and attachments to the appropriate text in the application. Be sure to upload the attachments in the order indicated in the forms. May be a restriction on figures/tables

Print out and carefully proof read and review your electronic application to ensure accuracy and completion. ensure appropriate formatting adherence to word, length and page limit requirements. Check to ensure that all attachments are included before sending the application forward.

Other advice Building an excellent publication track-record relative to opportunity.
The argument you need to present in the track-record section of any grant application is that you have performed well given the opportunities that you’ve had. You need to show that you have the potential and skill to produce wonderful outcomes for the granting body and the research field more generally. While track-records are often heavily weighted towards publications, there are other things that can flag in your CV that you have research potential and a good professional profile. These include activities such as refereeing for prestigious journals, undertaking significant editorial roles, being an active member of an academic or professional association, and initiating events that lead to quality publications.

One of the qualities most successful, grant-winning academics have in common is determination (or stubbornness, depending on who you talk to…). Do not be put off by a few knock-backs. You’ve already done the hard work with writing up a convincing, exciting project description and organising your track-record information. With some tweaking, your project can now be shopped around as many relevant funding schemes as it takes to get funded

When you get feedback from your network of reviewers, make sure you consider their comments properly. You asked them to review for you because you valued their opinion, right? So, if they tell you that your project concepts aren’t well explained, or they’re not convinced you can do the project in that time-frame, think about these issues seriously and amend your application, if necessary. We often get too close to the topics we’re researching and need someone else to point out our conceptual / theoretical short-cuts.