Writing grant proposal: Some insights Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, PhD University of Tsukuba, Japan SIS Summer Seminar Hachi Oji, July 23-24, 2009

Thapa, R.B. (2009). Writing grant proposal: Some insights 2 Grant proposal A grant proposal is a written document to a sponsor. Main purpose of a grant proposal is to convince to sponsor to provide some funds for your project. The sponsor may be public or private Sponsors may be: o JSPS (Japan), NSF (USA), ECR (Europe), UGC/NAST (Nepal), NSC,… etc. o Space agencies/National Mapping agencies (JAXA, GSI, Sinfonica, USGS, etc.) o Industry (Toyota Foundation, Mitsubishi Foundation, etc.) o Charitable foundations (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation). If you are looking for a grant in Japan, JSPS could be the best candidate!

Thapa, R.B. (2009). Writing grant proposal: Some insights 3 Some Foundations in Japan 70 more…

Thapa, R.B. (2009). Writing grant proposal: Some insights 4 How to develop a grant proposal? Be alert on Call for Proposal or Application Schedule What are most important aspect you should consider before beginning to write a proposal? o Idea !!! You must have an innovative idea that could be a bit risky look and challenging!!! o Persuade an idea with expertise of investigators, interdisciplinary nature of proposal, methodology to achieve the needed objectives, and impact on creating new science and economic system.

Thapa, R.B. (2009). Writing grant proposal: Some insights 5 Understand the granting agency… Study the objectives, format guidelines, review format, and deadlines of the funding agency well enough Examine critically what reviewers will be looking in call for proposal? Understand the evaluation process of granting agency.

Thapa, R.B. (2009). Writing grant proposal: Some insights 6 How to begin the writing process... Give enough time, begin the process at an early date, normally funding agencies will give days to submit proposals after the announcements are made Setup your team of Co-researchers. Decide each Co-researcher role and their responsibility in writing different sections of the proposal Begin writing a paragraph or two a day and prepare a rough draft about 2-3 weeks before the deadline.

How to begin the writing process... Write down objectives and hypothesis first Revise objectives several times Complete review of literature Meet with Co-workers and keep on monitoring their progress Develop detailed methods and materials Write expected results, impacts, budget details, be sure to check the checklist Thapa, R.B. 2009). Writing grant proposal: Some insights 7

Why are proposals rejected? As a rule all applications are reviewed by a group of experts. Weak problem statement (58% ) o low important problem, problem too complex, only of local significance, premature Weak approach (75%) o methods unsuited, description too vague, not thought out Investigator weakness (55%) o not sufficient experience, unfamiliar with literature, poor publication record Other (16%) o resource assessment unrealistic (Source: Dowman 2008) Thapa, R.B. (2009). Writing grant proposal: Some insights 8

Some hints Do: o add interesting technology components to proven ideas o know how to fit into past and current projects o involve a team o proof read the proposal thoroughly Dont: o say little is known or done o think you know everything o confuse objectives with actions o define objectives you do not wish to achieve o use abbreviations o request funding for basic office operations Thapa, R.B. (2009). Writing grant proposal: Some insights 9

Some hints Be courageous, take risks, try to inject a sense of excitement into the proposal. Sponsors need to convince government that their portfolio is innovative and relevant. Be sure to study the research councils mission statement and ensure that key words from that statement get into the proposal. Open the proposal with a clear and concise statement of what you are trying to achieve, write this in an attention catching way. Make everyone believe the quantitative improvement is needed, then, that we will achieve it (for example, we will reduce the margin of error by 30% – better; we will improve things greatly – meaningless). Conclude with a statement saying why the funding body cannot refuse to fund your project. Use graphics/figures/charts. o a picture is worth a thousand words. Be clear and concise at all times, avoid generalizations and adding jargons. Thapa, R.B. (2009). Writing grant proposal: Some insights 10 Writing grants proposal to external sponsors can aid you in thinking through your rationale or finding ways to connect with others in the scientific community or with the broader society – whether you end up with the money or not.

Thapa, R.B. (2009). Writing grant proposal: Some insights 11 Thank you!