1. Keep Your Eye on the Prize: Tips for Successful Grant Writing Kelli I. Stajduhar, R.N., Ph.D. Associate Professor, Centre on Aging and School of Nursing, UVic CIHR New Investigator MSFHR Research Scholar

2. Overview of Workshop Purpose of Research Proposal Purpose of Research Proposal Significant Elements of Research Proposal Significant Elements of Research Proposal Common Problems with Research Proposals Common Problems with Research Proposals General "Tips" to Consider General "Tips" to Consider Discussion Discussion

3. Purpose of Research Proposal Communicates research plan to others (e.g., funding agencies) Communicates research plan to others (e.g., funding agencies) Serves as a detailed plan for action Serves as a detailed plan for action Serves as a contract between investigator and funding bodies when proposal approved Serves as a contract between investigator and funding bodies when proposal approved

4. Questions a Proposal Must Address What you want to do What you want to do Central hypothesis/research question Central hypothesis/research question Specific objectives Specific objectives Why this is a reasonable thing to do Why this is a reasonable thing to do Review of previous work by you and others Review of previous work by you and others Succinct rationale for project Succinct rationale for project Why this is important Why this is important Significant new knowledge to be obtained Significant new knowledge to be obtained Improvements to health which will result Improvements to health which will result

5. Questions a Proposal Must Address How you are going to do it How you are going to do it Detailed work plan, logical sequence and timelines Detailed work plan, logical sequence and timelines Analysis and interpretation of results Analysis and interpretation of results Pitfalls and ways around them Pitfalls and ways around them Why you should do it Why you should do it Relevant prior experience and skills Relevant prior experience and skills Collaborators for technical gaps Collaborators for technical gaps Preliminary data showing feasibility Preliminary data showing feasibility

6. Framework for Writing a "Typical" Research Proposal Introduction/Background Introduction/Background Introduce topic and significance Introduce topic and significance Statement of purpose, research questions/objectives/hypotheses Statement of purpose, research questions/objectives/hypotheses Review of Literature Review of Literature Related literature and theoretical traditions Related literature and theoretical traditions

7. Framework for Writing a "Typical" Research Proposal Design and Methods Design and Methods Overall approach and rationale Overall approach and rationale Sampling, recruitment, data collection methods, data analysis Sampling, recruitment, data collection methods, data analysis Rigor (trustworthiness and/or validity and reliability of the research) Rigor (trustworthiness and/or validity and reliability of the research) Ethical considerations Ethical considerations

8. Framework for Writing a "Typical" Research Proposal Timeline Timeline Dissemination/Knowledge Translation Dissemination/Knowledge Translation Limitations Limitations Investigator Roles and Expertise Investigator Roles and Expertise Budget Budget Appendices Appendices

9. Introducing the Study Goal: capture interest in the study Goal: capture interest in the study Focus on importance of study Focus on importance of study Clear and concise (details will follow) Clear and concise (details will follow) Synopsis of the primary target of the study Synopsis of the primary target of the study Persuasive logic backed up with factual evidence Persuasive logic backed up with factual evidence Should "paint a picture" of your proposal in the mind of the reader Should "paint a picture" of your proposal in the mind of the reader

10. The Problem/Research Question For qualitative studies, the problem statement usually broad, but must be specific enough to convince others that it is worth focusing on For qualitative studies, the problem statement usually broad, but must be specific enough to convince others that it is worth focusing on For quantitative studies, problem statement much more specific with delineation of hypotheses For quantitative studies, problem statement much more specific with delineation of hypotheses Research questions clearly delineated (sometimes with sub-questions) Research questions clearly delineated (sometimes with sub-questions) Scope of research question(s) needs to be manageable within the time frame and context of the study Scope of research question(s) needs to be manageable within the time frame and context of the study

11. The Problem/Research Question May also consider writing goals and objectives for the research Goals are large statements of what you hope to accomplish Goals are large statements of what you hope to accomplish Objectives are operational and tell specific things you will be accomplishing in your project Objectives are operational and tell specific things you will be accomplishing in your project

12. Literature Review Selective and persuasive - building a case for what is known or believed, what is missing, and how the study fits in Selective and persuasive - building a case for what is known or believed, what is missing, and how the study fits in Seeking to identify gaps in knowledge and how the research will address these gaps Seeking to identify gaps in knowledge and how the research will address these gaps Structure of literature review differs for qualitative/quantitative proposals Structure of literature review differs for qualitative/quantitative proposals Showcase what you have already done Showcase what you have already done Conclude with a brief summary outlining significance, originality, practical implications (i.e., how your research will increase knowledge and lead to better health) Conclude with a brief summary outlining significance, originality, practical implications (i.e., how your research will increase knowledge and lead to better health)

13. Methods Section Orientation to the Method Orientation to the Method Broad description of the particular method that will be used - Overview of the research plan Broad description of the particular method that will be used - Overview of the research plan Rationale for qualitative/quantitative research generally and for the specific method used Rationale for qualitative/quantitative research generally and for the specific method used Show clear link between methods and the objectives you have previously defined Show clear link between methods and the objectives you have previously defined

14. Sampling Define sampling strategy to be used Define sampling strategy to be used Provide rationale Provide rationale Characteristics of the potential types of persons, events, or processes to be sampled Characteristics of the potential types of persons, events, or processes to be sampled Inclusion/exclusion criteria Inclusion/exclusion criteria Sample size Sample size Estimates provided based on previous experience, pilot work, power analysis, etc. Estimates provided based on previous experience, pilot work, power analysis, etc.

15. Recruitment/Access Provide details on: Provide details on: Where the study will take place and why this is the best location Where the study will take place and why this is the best location How the sample will be recruited How the sample will be recruited How you will gain access to the setting(s) How you will gain access to the setting(s)

16. Data Collection Methods Define data collection strategy to be used Define data collection strategy to be used Provide explicit details Provide explicit details Give rationale for methods and their appropriateness Give rationale for methods and their appropriateness Data collection methods vary depending on research approach - be consistent Data collection methods vary depending on research approach - be consistent Discuss potential pitfalls or obstacles Discuss potential pitfalls or obstacles Suggest alternative approaches Suggest alternative approaches

17. Data Analysis Define type of data analysis strategy to be used Define type of data analysis strategy to be used Provide explicit details about data analysis procedures: qualitative/quantitative Provide explicit details about data analysis procedures: qualitative/quantitative Analysis methods vary depending on research approach Analysis methods vary depending on research approach

18. Data Management & Analysis How will the data be kept organized and retrievable? How will the data be kept organized and retrievable? How will the researchers engage in reflexivity (e.g., by self-analytical)? How will the researchers engage in reflexivity (e.g., by self-analytical)? Convinces the reader that the researcher is sufficiently knowledgeable about data analysis and has the necessary skills Convinces the reader that the researcher is sufficiently knowledgeable about data analysis and has the necessary skills

19. Rigor Reflected throughout the proposal Reflected throughout the proposal Address this specifically, using relevant criteria for the research approach used (e.g., qualitative/quantitative) Address this specifically, using relevant criteria for the research approach used (e.g., qualitative/quantitative)

20. Ethical Considerations Consent forms Consent forms Dealing with sensitive issues Dealing with sensitive issues

21. Timeline A clear indication of the time frame for the research and the times when each aspect of the research will be implemented A clear indication of the time frame for the research and the times when each aspect of the research will be implemented Create graphical depiction of your time line - demonstrates feasibility of your research in a visible way Create graphical depiction of your time line - demonstrates feasibility of your research in a visible way Be realistic in your projections: goal is to demonstrate that the tasks can be accomplished in a reasonable fashion during the project period Be realistic in your projections: goal is to demonstrate that the tasks can be accomplished in a reasonable fashion during the project period

22. Dissemination/Knowledge Translation Identify potential users of research findings Identify potential users of research findings Include strategies for ongoing exchange with users: tradition/non- traditional approaches Include strategies for ongoing exchange with users: tradition/non- traditional approaches Detail plans for communication/dissemination Detail plans for communication/dissemination

23. Limitations Highlight that you know what the limitations of your approach are and what you plan to do to minimize the limitations Highlight that you know what the limitations of your approach are and what you plan to do to minimize the limitations Defend why you chose the approach you did Defend why you chose the approach you did

24. Investigator Roles and Expertise Are the investigators qualified, competent, and have the experience and credentials? Are the investigators qualified, competent, and have the experience and credentials? Define investigator roles: Clarify how each of the roles are essential to the success of the project (e.g., what specific knowledge/skills does each investigator bring to the research) Define investigator roles: Clarify how each of the roles are essential to the success of the project (e.g., what specific knowledge/skills does each investigator bring to the research) Is the research environment adequate and conducive to conducting the study? Is the research environment adequate and conducive to conducting the study?

25. Investigator Roles and Expertise: Track Record (P.I.) Academic and Research Training Academic and Research Training Honours and Awards Honours and Awards Publications Publications Research Accomplished Research Accomplished Grant Funding Grant Funding Leadership Leadership

26. Budget Familiarize yourself with what the granting agency will fund Familiarize yourself with what the granting agency will fund Think through the research step-by-step and make a list of what you will need (e.g., personnel, supplies, equipment, database access, etc.) Think through the research step-by-step and make a list of what you will need (e.g., personnel, supplies, equipment, database access, etc.)

27. Budget Provide clear description and justification for items requested, item by item (show how the costs were calculated) Provide clear description and justification for items requested, item by item (show how the costs were calculated) If hiring research staff, briefly describe responsibilities of research staff in relation to the research plan If hiring research staff, briefly describe responsibilities of research staff in relation to the research plan Make the budget realistic Make the budget realistic

28. Appendices Complement what is written in the full proposal Complement what is written in the full proposal Assume the reviewer will only have a short time to read your proposal and it will only be the main body of your proposal (not the appendices) Assume the reviewer will only have a short time to read your proposal and it will only be the main body of your proposal (not the appendices) Then, assume that you have gotten the attention of the reviewer who would now like some additional information - this is the purpose of the Appendices Then, assume that you have gotten the attention of the reviewer who would now like some additional information - this is the purpose of the Appendices

29. Examples of Possible Appendices Time Line Time Line Letters of Support Letters of Support Qualitative Interview Questions Qualitative Interview Questions Quantitative Survey Questionnaire: instruments/measures Quantitative Survey Questionnaire: instruments/measures Dissemination/Knowledge Translation Plan Dissemination/Knowledge Translation Plan

30. Commonly cited problems for not getting funded Lack of significance of scientific issue Lack of significance of scientific issue Lack of original or new ideas Lack of original or new ideas Unrealistic, overly ambitious Unrealistic, overly ambitious Scientific rationale not valid Scientific rationale not valid Diffuse, superficial, lacks focus Diffuse, superficial, lacks focus

31. Commonly cited problems for not getting funded Fishing expedition: no basic scientific question being addressed Fishing expedition: no basic scientific question being addressed Insufficient methodological detail Insufficient methodological detail Innovation but lacking preliminary data Innovation but lacking preliminary data Inadequate experience of investigator; lack of appropriate collaborators Inadequate experience of investigator; lack of appropriate collaborators

32. General "Tips" to Consider Major undertaking: Allocate lot's of time!! Major undertaking: Allocate lot's of time!! General rule of thumb: Start 4 months before deadline General rule of thumb: Start 4 months before deadline Examine proposals from successful applicants Examine proposals from successful applicants Seek assistance and pre-review from others with experience in grant writing (plan time for rewriting) Seek assistance and pre-review from others with experience in grant writing (plan time for rewriting)

33. General "Tips" to Consider Highlight match between your proposal and purpose of competition Highlight match between your proposal and purpose of competition Get to know your granting agencies and what they fund Get to know your granting agencies and what they fund Know that your proposal may be reviewed by people who are not in your area Know that your proposal may be reviewed by people who are not in your area Follow the rules of the competition Follow the rules of the competition Write for a multi-disciplinary audience Write for a multi-disciplinary audience

34. General "Tips" to Consider Reviewers are busy people and have many proposals to read: Make your proposal one that they will want to read! Reviewers are busy people and have many proposals to read: Make your proposal one that they will want to read! Use short paragraphs and summarize often Use short paragraphs and summarize often If able, use spaces between headings; bold important points If able, use spaces between headings; bold important points Avoid using jargon, trendy or "in" words, abbreviations, or redundant phrases Avoid using jargon, trendy or "in" words, abbreviations, or redundant phrases Try summarizing main points on a table Try summarizing main points on a table

35. General "Tips" to Consider If a novice, consider writing the proposal with a team of people, not just you alone If a novice, consider writing the proposal with a team of people, not just you alone Consider conducting pilot work or taking some small steps to begin your research Consider conducting pilot work or taking some small steps to begin your research

36. 1. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! 2. Carefully read through the reviewers’ comments 3. Make the suggested changes to improve your proposal 4. Resubmit to the same or another funding agency. If Your Proposal is Rejected

37. General "Tips" to Consider Be patient and don't give up! Be patient and don't give up!