grant writing faculty of education

Australian Catholic UniversityBrisbane Sydney Canberra Ballarat Melbourne

Australian Catholic University

Grant writingFaculty of Education

Elizabeth Warren Australian Catholic UniversityBrisbane Sydney Canberra Ballarat Melbourne

STATE OF PLAY

Research grants are the dominant way for academic researchers to get resources to focus on research

INVARIANT: there is never enough money So you need to maximise your chances Even a strong proposal is in a lottery, but a

weak one will certainly not get funded Strong proposals take care and time


Planning

Writing

Submission Timelines (you may be driven by submission dates – but

writing a competitive proposal takes a great deal of time – allow up to 9 months for an ARC application from start to submission)

The Stages of Proposal Development


Review the Literature

Update your CV – include only the last 5 years

Develop a Research Theme

Refine Project Objectives

Search for Funding Opportunities

Start thinking who you may work with

Prepare a Project Outline

Planning Stage


Writing Stage

Your Audience With luck, your proposal will be read carefully by one

or two experts. You must convince them. But it will certainly be read superficially by non-

experts … and they will be the panel members. You absolutely must convince them too.

Some influential readers will be non-experts, and will give you one minute maximum.

So write clearly, get non-experts to read it, and do not use too much jargon.


Writing for a tender

Read the call for proposals

Try to understand what the motivation of the agency (or company) is

Understand their criteria, and write your proposal to address them

But do not prostitute your research. Write a proposal for good research that you are genuinely excited about.

Do not exceed the page limit


Find a reason to telephone (not email) the program manager. S/he is a Human Being, and is constantly on the lookout for original research.

Build your relationship. Invite them to visit your institute. Offer to help as a reviewer. Ask what you can do that would help them. Do not begin by making demands (everyone else does).


I. Statement of NeedII. Goals and ObjectivesIII. BackgroundIV. MethodsV. EvaluationVI. Budget

General Project Outline


Overview of current literature

Develops rationale for the study

Defines the scope of the problem

Identifies gaps in current knowledge

Generates an understanding of need for the research

Culminates in the Purpose of the study

Background


Establish your credibility in the area

Reveal a familiarity with the subject matter and the literature

Identifies gaps and how this project will fill those gaps

Reflect why this project is the logical “next step” in the area

Introduction


Goal: simple statement of what you want to accomplish» The Goal guides the Objectives

Objectives: the measurable outcomes of your goal» Specific, measurable and achievable in the specified time

frame» Objectives help to define the methods» Tell what will be done and when

Goals and Objectives


What is the specific problem you want to address and why?

Brief, clear and concise statement of the “global” theme or “problem”

Should demonstrate the Significance and Impact of the problem in relation to agency’s goals

Statement of Need


Related work - Tips

Goal 1: demonstrate that you totally know the field. Appearing ignorant of relevant related work is certain death.

Goal 2: a spring-board for describing your promising idea

But that is all! Do not spend too many words on comparative discussion. The experts will know it; the non-experts won’t care.


Prove to the reviewer why this research needs to be addressed

Show the gaps in the current literature

Identify strengths and weaknesses in current published research in the area

Look for limitations and address them in your project

Literature Review


What specific activities will enable you to meet the objectives? Study Design (descriptive)

Subjects/Participants

Recruitment and Study Feasibility

Outcome Measurement Tools

Procedures

Data Management and Analysis Plans

Methods


General Concepts to Keep in Mind Staff: Number and qualifications

Facilities: Offices, laboratories etc.

Equipment: Have vs Need

Time: How long will it take to complete each major task in the methods?

Agency Limitations

Budget


Write a topic sentence for each heading

Make one point in each paragraph

Keep sentences short

Use bullets and list

Keep related ideas and information together

Include transitions (I.e. “furthermore, additionally”)

If writing is not your strength, get help!

General Tips to Keep in Mind ...


In Summary

1. Here is a well-defined problem2. It’s an important problem (evidence

…)3. We have a promising idea (evidence

…)4. We are a world-class team (evidence

…)5. Here is what we hope to achieve6. Here is how we plan to build on our

idea to achieve it7. Give us the money. Please.


Peer Review

Ask others to read your proposal critically Revise, and ask someone else

RepeatWorthwhile: what someone thinks after a

10-minute read is Really, Really Important Informative: after reading 20 proposals by

others, you’ll write better ones yourselfEffective: dramatic increases in quality.

There is just no excuse for not doing this.


Preparing your application for submission takes time Complete the agency’s forms Review narrative, budget and appendices to follow

agency guidelines Assemble the grant application package Review for content and style Get approvals and signatures

Submission Stage


Submission checklist a. The proposal must be NEAT,

COMPLETE, and ON TIME, with the requested number of copies and original authorised signatures.

b. Address the proposal as directed in the guidelines.

c. Be sure to include required documentation.

Before you send it …


3 to 6 months from conceptualisation to submission

9 to 12 months from submission to start-up This depends on the grants Some bodies want you to start straight away

» Remember though it will take you a minimum of 3 months to start a project– Time for ethics approval– Time for signing of contracts– Time for employing Research Assistants– Time for instrument development

How Much Time Should It Take?

Australian Catholic UniversityBrisbane Sydney Canberra Ballarat Melbourne

Review Criteria …

Think Like a Reviewer!


Significance

Approach and Feasibility

Innovation

Investigator’s experience

Environment

General Review Criteria


Ability of the project to further the funding agencies objectives

Does the research relate to the program applied to?

Does the proposal address a new area or direction in the literature?

Has the project narrative established a need for this research?

Significance


Are the methods and budget feasible to attain the stated objectives?

Is the methodology sound?

Will the study design effectively measure what it is supposed to?

Are the budget and timeline appropriate to be successful?

Approach and Feasibility


Is the approach to the research original?

What is so new about this research?

What will draw the reviewers’ attention?

Where is this going to lead?

Innovation


Does the PI have the experience and expertise to conduct the research?

Publication and Funding History

Program of Research

Academic Record

Does the research team have the expertise to conduct the research?

Quality/Calibre of the research team

Investigator


Make Life EASY for Reviewers Label all materials clearly

Keep things short and simple

Guide reviewers with graphics

Edit and proof-read your work

Organization is key to a positive review!

Key Concepts to Keep in Mind

grant writing faculty of education

Documents

competitive proposal

research theme

good research

original research

project objectives search

current knowledge

fundedstrong proposals

understanding of need