Grants Factory GRANTS FACTORY WRITING GROUPS Essential Elements of a Good Grant Application Mick Tuite School of Biosciences Mick Tuite School of Biosciences

My experience Mick Tuite School of Biosciences Mick Tuite School of Biosciences 2Grants Factory 2013

3 Score Range: Definition: Good Work that has merit and meets the majority of the assessment criteria to an adequate level and is likely to advance the field Guidance to panel: Fundable in principle but unlikely to be funded Reality: Never funded

Grants Factory Score Range: Definition: Very Good Work that is internationally competitive and meets the majority of the assessment criteria to a high level and will advance the field Guidance to panel: Fundable Reality: Very unlikely to be funded

Grants Factory Score Range: Definition: Excellent Work that is of high international standard and addresses and meets the majority of the assessment criteria to a very high level and will answer important questions in the field Guidance to panel: Fundable Reality: In with a chance!!

Grants Factory Score Range: Definition: Exceptional Work that is at the leading edge internationally, addresses all of the assessment criteria, and meets the majority of them to an exceptional level. Likely to have a significant impact on the field Guidance to panel: Fundable Reality: Almost a dead cert!

The Research Funding Toolkit Jacqueline Aldridge Andrew Derrington 7Grants Factory 2013

What makes a project ‘fundable’?.....asks an important question that will be answered in a cost effective manner by someone who knows what they are doing that will have ‘impact’.... 8Grants Factory 2013

......asks an important question that will be answered in a cost effective manner by someone who knows what they are doing IMPORTANCE SUCCESS VALUE COMPETENCE IMPACT What makes a project ‘fundable’? 9Grants Factory 2013

The ‘Case for Support’  Excite  Need  Solvable 10Grants Factory 2013

Constructing the Case for Support OPENING LINES PROJECT MANAGEMENT, DISSEMINATON, KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER, ETHICS etc BACKGROUND AIMS & OBJECTIVES WORK PLAN Preview 11Grants Factory 2013

Aim(s): what your project should achieve overall. e.g. cure Alzheimer’s Objectives: what you will do to achieve your aim e.g. identify the ‘rogue’ protein Outputs: the objectives or activities that you will have delivered by the end of your project e.g. identified the ‘rogue’ Alzheimer’s protein Outcomes: the differences that will have been made by delivering your objectives and achieving your output e.g. a new drug target for Alzheimer’s Aims, Objectives, Outputs and Outcomes 12Grants Factory 2013

Constructing the Case for Support: Opening Lines  What is the question you are asking?  Why is it an important question?  Why it will bring a step change in the field! 2-3 sentences Accessible language Simple message(s) Excitement Timeliness “...a foot in the door......” 13Grants Factory 2013

Lay/Technical Summary Lay Summary: Describes the proposed research in simple terms in a way that could be publicised to a ‘general audience’ Technical Summary: Describes the proposed research in a manner suitable for a ‘specialist reader’ Why are the summaries important? First thing read by the introducing panel member...who might not be a specialist in the topic......and likely to be read by other members of the panel What should they do? Make it abundantly clear why this project is interesting, exciting - why the project must be funded now - what the wider ‘impact’ of the project will be 14Grants Factory 2013

Constructing the Case for Support: Background  What is known...?  What is not known...?  What must we know....?  Why now...?  Why am I the right person...? Familiarity with the literature Avoid too much self-citation Use simple diagrams Reiterate importance of project Include preliminary data 15Grants Factory 2013

Constructing the Case for Support: Aims & Objectives  Specific research questions....  No more than Logical flow Avoid interdependency Idea of timelines (6 month resolution) 16Grants Factory OUTCOME OUTCOME

Constructing the Case for Support: Work plan  Defined work packages  Start with the objective  End with the expected outcome  Sufficient technical detail  Appropriate methodology  Highlight innovative approaches Be ambitious yet realistic Avoid jargon/lab slang Include alternative approaches Be alert to health & safety and ethical issues 17Grants Factory 2013 GANTT Chart

Constructing the Case for Support: Overview OPENING LINES/PREVIEW BACKGROUND AIMS & OBJECTIVES WORK PLAN PROJECT MANAGEMENT, DISSEMINATON, REFERENCES, ETHICS etc ~ 5% ~ 30%~ 50%~ 10% 18Grants Factory 2013

Less strategic importance compared to other proposals Proposal poorly written Insufficient preliminary dataProposal lacked focus Proposal overambitious and unlikely to achieve all of its objectives Proposal lacked detail Work programmes poorly integrated Lack of relevant expertise Under resourcedPoor track record Will not significantly advance the field Poor value for money Will not significantly increase knowledge in the field Costs not adequately justified Is this project of international quality and therefore worthy of funding? Yes / No Please X any of the following standardised comments that apply to this proposal : Why Do Committees Say NO!! In order of priority, please specify the STRENGTHS of the proposal: In order of priority, please specify the WEAKNESSES of the proposal: 19Grants Factory 2013

What Other Steps Can I Take.....? Profile/standing in your field  Research/conference papers  Seminars/conference talks Presentation of grant  12pt Arial, layout  Use of images (unpublished data)  Proofread!  Avoid extensive self-citation Achievable ‘pathway to impact’ Realistic costings 20Grants Factory 2013

10 Tips For Writing a Successful Application 1.Read the eligibility rules 2.Leave plenty of time to prepare 3.No unexplained jargon 4.Get other people to read it 5.Explain why the research is needed 6.Network effectively 7.Justify extra time or resources 8.Participate in funding panels 9.Interpret referees feedback carefully 10.Plan applications in batches Blog: The Guardian ‘Learning & Teaching Hub’ April