Writing a compelling grant to fund your research

Scott McClellandCraig Cohen

Richard Chaisson

6th December 2013

2nd Bi-Annual CFAR SSA Meeting

Cape Town, South Africa

Overview• Introduction

– Components of a research grant– Review criteria and the review process

• Novel hypotheses and innovation• Assembling your team• Tackling the approach

Key Components of Research Proposal

• Title• Budget &

Justification• Abstract & Key

Personnel• Research Plan

Review Criteria

• Overall Impact• Significance: How will scientific

knowledge be advanced?• Approach: Are the framework, design,

methods, and analyses adequately developed, well integrated, well reasoned, and appropriate?

Review Criteria

• Innovation: Is the project original or does it provide a necessary step for advancing the field?

• Investigators: Adequate training/ expertise of investigative team?

• Environment: Will the research (and training) environment contribute to the probability of success?

Cartoon Credit: Chris O’Hara from Googledocs.com

Consider your Audience(s)

Two to three primary reviewers

Consider your Audience(s)

5 to 15 additional reviewers

Research Plan

• Hypotheses and Specific Aims• Research Strategy

– Significance– Innovation– Approach

• Human Subjects

Research Plan

• Hypotheses and Specific Aims• Research Strategy

– Significance– Innovation– Approach

• Human Subjects

Getting Started

“Experiencing a Writers Block” www.torito.nl

Start with a Thorough Review of the Relevant Literature

Preparing to Write

• Comprehensive literature search• Search references of retrieved articles• Read carefully

– Consider taking notes or highlighting• Talk with colleagues• Talk with grant contact person

Inadequate Preparation Prior to Writing – A Fatal Flaw

Image Credit: Funzug.com

Hypotheses and Specific Aims• States the research questions (hypotheses)

and how they will be addressed (aims)

Burning Question Approach

Milliondollardatsun.com

Big, Big Aim Approach

istockphoto.com

Hypotheses & Specific Aims

• Start with a brief narrative describing long-term goals

• Followed by numbered list of aims– Most successful larger applications have 2-

4 aims (3 is typical)– Multiple aims should be clearly related

• Should fit on one page• State hypotheses clearly

Lack of clear hypothesis – A fatal flaw

Sample Structure of Aims Page

Innovation

• Be careful with innovation.– It is enough to show how the work is new

and unique and how it will add significantly to what's known.