Tips on grant application process from a reviewer and panel chair Marina Botto
Grant application - Reviewer Does one size fit all ?
Grant application - Reviewer Research question/hypothesis Experimental approach/contingency plans Adequate justification
What is your research question? What is your hypothesis?
Grant application - Reviewer A well-articulated research question/hypothesis A clear testable hypothesis (if applicable) A well-defined context: how/why your ideas are unique/innovative
Grant application - Reviewer A good proposal is organised, logical, engaging, easy to read and persuasive It should show that: - you understand the problem you have a novel, appropriate and focused approach to address the problem what you will be doing and the contribution of others
Grant application - Reviewer Use conceptual diagram, if possible, to present the problem in a simple way Assume that the reviewer is not an expert Make the job of the peer reviewers as effortless as possible
Grant application - Reviewer Pay attention to the presentation: - use concise, specific language - avoid acronyms - avoid universal terms (e.g. all, exact) or vague terms (e.g. some) - use visual aids (tables, diagrams) - indent special sections
Grant application - Reviewer Summary: very important section - overview of the problem, - methods you are going to use - anticipated outcome/benefit highlighted the impact/merit of your proposal Lay summary - do not “copy and paste” the scientific summary
Grant application - Reviewer Background Clear, concise, powerful statements All viewpoints (dogmas and debates) - a balanced elaboration (not a review) of the current knowledge Highlighted the novelty of your ideas
Grant application - Reviewer Experimental plan: Validity of your approach (can you answer the question with the data you will collect?) Problems and possible solutions (plan B) A feasible approach Right collaborators
Grant application - Reviewer Experimental approach Clearly communicated what will be accomplished and how it will be achieved Justification of the type/number of samples Appropriate ambition (consider timeframe and resources available)
Grant application - Reviewer Budget Internal peer review process (expert/non expert) Give yourself plenty of time
Grant application - Reviewer criteria Significance of the question Originality of the proposal Feasibility of the proposal PI qualifications Broader impact