1. Tips on grant application process from a reviewer and panel chair
Marina Botto

2. Grant application - Reviewer
Does one size fit all ?

3. Grant application - Reviewer
Research question/hypothesis
Experimental approach/contingency plans
Adequate justification

4. What is your research question? What is your hypothesis?

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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)

13. Grant application - Reviewer
Budget
Internal peer review process (expert/non expert)
Give yourself plenty of time

14. Grant application - Reviewer criteria
Significance of the question
Originality of the proposal
Feasibility of the proposal
PI qualifications
Broader impact