Rules for Writing a Winning Grant Proposal

Transcription

1 Rules fr Writing a Winning Grant Prpsal Mary Lu Marin Office f Research and Spnsred Prgrams mlmarin@ksu.edu

2 Rule 1. Have a Gd Idea

3 A Gd Idea Is: Significant--it slves a prblem, answers a perplexing questin, expands the knwledge base Innvative new apprach, new methd, puts ideas tgether in a nvel way. Better-- than ther appraches in this research area Understandable knw yur audience, make sure the reviewers will understand. Culd yur parents understand? Has a Payff--makes a cntributin, prvides benefit, knw yur utcmes Withstands Vetting--be sure t run it by clleagues

4 What Cmes First a Gd Idea r a Funding Opprtunity? It desn t matter as lng as: The idea is gd The idea is within the pprtunity s scpe and the funder s interest

5 Rule 2. Start Early It will take lnger than yu ever expect! Suggested time line:

6 Rule 3. Organize Befre Yu Write What prblem d yu want t address? Why is this prblem significant/imprtant? Prf? Why is yur idea better? Hw is it new, unique, different? What are yur expected utcmes? What are yur prpsal themes?

7 Rule 3. Organize Befre Yu Write What is yur verall research gal? What is it fr this prject/prpsal? What are yur bjectives/aims? Apprach Shuld fllw directly frm bjectives/aims Think abut bth the frest and the trees Preliminary studies d yu have enugh? What are ptential prblems? Hw will yu mitigate them?

8 Rule 4. Write Yur Prblem Statement/ Specific Aims First Cncise statement f Overall gal Specific bjectives Significance Payff Can be used t help refine and vet prblem and apprach

9 Rule 5. Start Yur Budget Next Takes 3 times lnger than yu ever expect!!! Gives yu time t get equipment and ther csts. Gives yu time t wrk ut $$$ split with c- PIs and ther institutins. Allws yu t be realistic abut what yu can d. Yur PreAwards Specialist will lve yu!

10 Rule 6. Give the Reviewers What they Want Reviewers=Prgram Manager + Review Panel Things t d: Make sure prject is within slicitatin s scpe. Fllw Funding Agency s preparatin guidelines. Write t the review criteria. Be kind t yur reviewers Prpsal rganizatin shuld be cnsistent thrughut. Clearly tell a gd, engaging stry with minimal wrd fg and jargn. Assume a reader wh is uninfrmed but infinitely bright.

11 Rule 7. Have a Pre-submissin Review Plan Ask a mentr and/r seasned clleagues fr cmments/critiques Check yur eg AT THE DOOR this is business The clleague shuld be qualified Last minute requests are NEVER appreciated Cnsider a prfreader Nt assciated with the prject Detail riented Frmat, style, errrs and incnsistencies nt cntent Careless errrs are fatal

12 Rule 8. Make Yur Abstract Shine The ABSTRACT is the prtal t the entire prpsal. Prgram managers will nly read the abstract and the reference list befre assigning reviewers. The Abstract will be shwcased n the agency s web site. The Abstract is the nly part sme agency peple (i.e., financial) will ever read. The Abstract and the Prblem Statement are ften where reviewers make up their minds.

13 Rule 9. Avid Prter s Pitfalls Success = Gd Ideas - Pitfalls

14 The Pitfalls are: 1. Pr fit 2. Pr rganizatin 3. Weak argument 4. Gyrating jargn 5. Obtuse gals and bjectives 6. An unclear wrk plan 7. Deviating frm the guidelines 8. Ignring the review criteria 9. Weak abstract 10. Ignring yur clleague s cmments 11. Errrs like typs and misspellings 12. Pr editing

15 Rule 10. Be Strategic abut Bisketches Tailr yur bi t the scpe Persnal Statement/Synergistic Activities Papers Included Whse included n the team Remember Investigatr(s) is an NIH review criterin NSF/thers ask- Hw well qualified is the individual/team?

16 Rule 11. Dn t Frget Facilities, Equipment and Other Resurces Demnstrate that yu have everything t cmplete the jb Nt a bulleted/laundry list r a vague descriptin f lab size r number f cmputers in yur lab r n campus Include nly relevant equipment/facilities Indicate hw equipment/facilities will be used relate directly t yur prject Other Resurces equals unfunded cllabratrs and expansin f brader impacts and apprach Remember Envirnment is an NIH review criterin NSF/thers ask- Are there adequate resurces available?

17 Rule 12. Cntact Yur Prpsal Develpment/PreAwards Office Early

18 The Rules 1. Have a Gd Idea 2. Start Early 3. Organize Befre Yu Write 4. Write Yur Prblem Statement/Specific Aims First 5. Start Yur Budget Next 6. Give the Reviewers What they Want 7. Have a Pre-submissin Review Plan 8. Make yur Abstract Shine 9. Avid Prter s Pitfalls 10. Be Strategic Abut Bisketches 11. Dn t Frget Facilities, Equipment and ther Resurces 12. Cntact yur Prpsal Develpment/PreAwards Office Early

19 Cntact Infrmatin Fairchild