Grant Writing

writing

Grant Writing is an Art

“There is no grantsmanship that will turn a bad idea into a good one, but there are many ways to disguise a good one.” – Dr. William Raub, Former Deputy Director, NIH

Grant Writing Tips

  1. The research question must be worth asking. Is the question relevant and original?
  2. Know the granting agency. Do they fund projects in your area? Target the proposal to the agency’s objectives or to the particular call for proposals.
  3. Learn about the review committee. What kind of expertise is represented? Assume that the reviewers are in a somewhat related field, not an expert directly in the area of the proposal, and write the grant accordingly.
  4. Learn from others. Examine successful grants in your area.
  5. Start early. Allow plenty of time for writing, gathering signatures, obtaining CVs of co-applicants, and rewriting.
  6. Support the proposal with strong preliminary data. Show that your plan is feasible.
  7. Follow granting agency instructions exactly.
  8. Write for the reviewers. Your grant should be clear, to the point and enjoyable to read.
  9. Have a colleague(s) review your document for the science. (Internal Peer Review)
  10. Have a “lay reader” proofread your document for understandability, spelling, grammar and to ensure that you have followed the agency’s instructions.
  11. A strong CV is important. If applicable to the granting agency, the “most significant career contributions” section is critical.
  12. The budget should be realistic and well-documented. Pay close attention to the budget justification.

Documents, Books and Websites Offering Grant Writing Tips:

And….What not to do:

  • 10 Common Grant-Writing Mistakes: Jude P. Mikal and Gina Rumore offer some great advice on what not to do when writing up your grant application (Chronicle of Higher Education, Jan 2018).
  • How to Fail in Grant Writing : the advice offered by Elizabeth Jakob et al is both entertaining and, although written in 2010, timeless (Chronicle of Higher Education, Dec 5, 2010).

“If you don’t apply, you won’t get funded.”

For a review of your draft application, to arrange for a peer review, or if you have questions contact:

Chantal Lemire (she/her)
Research Officer
e: clemire2@uwo.ca
p: (519) 661-2111 x85383

 photo credit: a story about time and the art of liquid painting, scott richard via photopin (license)

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