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How to Get That Grant: Tips for Writing Grant Proposals
There is never enough money for every idea in clinical research-Anonymous
The pool of funds for research has not grown at the same pace as has the generation of new ideas. More ideas are competing for the same quantum of funds. Resource allocation in the healthcare sector-public, private or not-for-profit focuses on patient care because it provides the best returns on investment (ROI). Investment of resources into research remains at a premium as healthcare organizations weigh the ROI. Healthcare organizations seek funding from the private (foundations, trusts, philanthropists) or public sector to cover, at least in part, the costs of research. The health researcher weaves seamlessly between three roles- a) the researcher, b) the writer communicating results of the research, and c) the fundraiser seeking funds for her/his research. An inability to raise funds for research leads to the inevitable death of the career of a researcher. Writing That Grant-The Checklist Approach You don’t have to be Shakespeare to write that grant-Anonymous Funding sources have their own requirements. However, the basic foundation of information sought remains same across funding agencies. A simple format applied in a systematic manner will help you get that grant. Remember, who you know may not be as important as how you write the grant application.
The Research Idea Ideas fail because they are poorly managed-Anonymous The research idea is the foundation on which a successful grant application is built. Your grant application lives to see another day if your research idea is scientifically valid. Remember, your research idea is your baby. You have to nurture it carefully and spend enough time with it, if it has to develop optimally. The Five-T approach to developing a good research idea 1. Think your idea Spend as much time as possible thinking through your idea.
2. Talk about your idea If you cannot talk about your idea, you are unlikely to be able to write your idea lucidly. Talk the idea out with different people including people who are not subject experts. Listen to the questions they pose. Are you able to answer their questions satisfactorily? 3. Trash your idea Raise arguments against your idea. Critically review the literature again. Discuss the possible limitations and pitfalls with subject experts. Choose experts who will give honest responses rather than experts who may be diplomatic in their responses. Remember, your research idea needs the strength to withstand criticism. 4. Title-it Fit your idea within an appropriate title. The title should be specific and convey the meaning of your research. Reviewers are human. Reviewers will not proceed further if the title does not excite them. 5. Tin your idea That’s right. Tin your idea. Write it down and put it in an empty tin and forget about it for a week. At the end of the week, open the tin and reexamine your idea. Does it still make sense to proceed? Does it still excite you? The more time you spend on the 5 T’s, the less time you need to spend on the actual writing of the grant application. Remember, good research ideas are
Match the Idea with the Grant Agency You have to submit your application to the appropriate agency if you want your idea to be funded.
Introduce the Research Idea Present specific information that is recent and relevant to your question. Reviewers lose interest if the introduction is long and vague.
Method (s) to Achieve the Aim (s) The research design and methods are among the most important parts of your grant application. This is the section where you can impress upon the reviewer that you really understand what you are doing and that you are the best person to study this question. Be concise without losing the details of the specifics.
Plan of Analysis The plan of analysis provides evidence to the reviewer that you can appropriately interpret the results that you obtain. Seek help from a biostatistician if you are not an expert in testing for significance. Discuss the plan of analysis in simple terms without introducing too much technical jargon. Monitoring and Evaluation An evaluation measures results of the proposal besides providing data to correct or adjust the course of action. Present a detailed evaluation plan. The evaluation plan indicates how well you have thought through the process of the research project. Ethical Considerations It is important that your research does not violate human or animal research guidelines. Provide the reviewer with a fair discussion of potential risks and risk- benefit ratio. Explain the process of confidentiality, data protection, and informed consent. Explain what happens if an adverse event occurs, or if a participant withdraws from the project. Ensure that your research project has been cleared by an appropriate ethics committee and record this clearly in your grant application. Sustainability Explain briefly if the project will continue beyond the period of funding and the processes that will be set up to continue the project. Grant agencies are more interested in projects that will sustain after the period of funding is over. Research Summary or Abstract This is the most difficult part. Abstracts that are not concise and specific will not pass the test of review.
Other Funding sources Present details of other sources from which you have received funding or a commitment of funding. Check if your target grant agency requires co-funding to be secured before submitting the grant application. Budget Seek professional help if required. Provide estimates of direct and indirect costs, capital and recurring expenses. Remember, you do not want to be surprised midway through the project by insufficient funds. Grant agencies do not look favorably on applications that ask for more or less funds than needed. Citations List your references appropriately. Reviewers may check the citations, so ensure you do not include incorrect citations. Use a uniform style for the references. Curriculum Vitae of Investigators The CV should appropriately reflect the expertise of your team in the area of research. The CV, in most instances, is the only introduction to the reviewer of the capability of your team. Other Annexure These may include list of publications, annual reports, audit statements, and awards. Cover Letter Cover letters are just that. Do not write an essay or rehash your project. Write a focused brief letter. Spell and Grammar Check Grant applications with spelling and grammar mistakes indicate that you are careless about the application. Such applications are a sure bet for rejection. Remember, different grant agencies have different requirements. You can cover most of the requirements of grant agencies using these guidelines. Good luck with your next grant!
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