keys to a successful grant application e. brooke lerner, ph.d. associate professor department of...
TRANSCRIPT
Keys to a Successful Grant Application
E. Brooke Lerner, Ph.D.Associate Professor
Department of Emergency MedicineMedical College of Wisconsin
Acknowledgements
No financial conflicts of interest
Have reviewed grants for HRSA, local IRC-seed grants, National Organizations, and others
Why Writing a Grant is
A Lot LikeLearning to
Ice Skate
Two Parts to Ice Skating
Muscle
Edges
Objectives
Describe ways to improve the “muscle” or science in your grant
Describe ways to improve the “edges” or polishing of your application
Grant Muscles = Science
A lecture like this can not really help you improve your science The issues are specific to the topic
Two key ways to build your science muscle Get a personal trainer – Find a mentor Do lots of repetitions – Do preliminary work
Find a Mentor
Every researcher should have at least one Guide you in your decisions
Where and when to apply and what to include Even those who are mentors have mentors
Who? Ideal world – one person Real world – multiple people who help with
different parts Where?
Within or outside your institution
Preliminary Work The more money you ask for the more you
need to show you will be successful Seed funds can help with this
Still want to show things you have done to prepare
Obvious – work that led you to this proposal But also:
Know the literature Looked for other ways or data sources Team has worked together Complete things to publication
Grant Edges = Polish
How are grant applications used? Persuade agency to give you money!
How are they selected Cut 1: Follow the directions? (administrative
review) Cut 2: Peer review Cut 3: How far down the list will the money go
(may be some mission alignment)
What you are really writing…
A persuasive essay You have a great idea The idea is important You are the right person in the right place with the
right resources to get the job done You have a great way to get the job done and you
have thought of everything
What do reviewers want from you? Be clear – Tell them what they need to know If reviewers can not find it, understand it or
forgets it your score will not reflect it Use sub-headings to make it easy to follow Don’t dance around it – “say it”
If you wouldn’t say it out loud like that -- don’t write it like that
Use bolding to make key points Don’t be afraid to say it again and again
What do reviewers want from you? Follow the directions
No points for originality or creativity in presentation Original/creative proposal is good
Use headings and sub-headings to guide them Provide the information the reviewers are asked
to consider Make it easy for them to score you well Make a sub-heading for the criteria Consider bolding the answer
What do reviewers want from you? Always proof your submission
Speling count and so do gramar A sloppy application raises concern of sloppy or
lazy researcher Have lots of people read it before you submit it
Someone not in your field – make deals Someone who isn’t a scientist – Mom/AA
Consider reading out loud Voice will catch what eyes have missed
Especially on your 50th reading!
What do reviewers want from you? Use only common abbreviations
Saving space may cost clarity Avoid specialized jargon and regional jargon
Peer reviewers may be in your area but not know your specific topic
If you think – “Oh, they know that” Think again – who would know that?
Who might be on the committee? Explain it!
Writing Style
Write simply No unnecessary words No unnecessary sentences No long multiple clause sentences Limit parenthesis use
Listen to Strunk and White and be: Specific Definite Concrete
The Small Parts
They may be short but don’t underestimate how important they are Abstract Specific Aim pages
SWEAT THIS SMALL STUFF!
Abstract
May be the only thing some reviewers read! Only assigned reviewers have to read everything But everybody votes
Spend time on it Summarize the proposal Don’t forget you are still selling your work
Best to write last but not last minute
Specific Aims
One page overview Why project is important Why you are the right person in the right place The aims The significance
This is an art! Work on it a lot Make a great first impression
Be realistic Aims that can be done for the $ and in time
Ways to improve your grant applications
Review Grants Learn from others’ mistakes rather than your own
Volunteer anywhere you can Local review committees National Organizations IRB
Be Thick Skinned
Even good grants get rejected 19% of new R01 grants
are funded 27% funding rate for R03
and R21 grants
Have back up plans Be committed to a
long process Be persistent
Keys to a great grant Read instructions Start early Logical and sound idea Clearly define problem and significance Write clearly Describe methods sequentially with visuals Include evaluation measures Be realistic Get multiple reviews from others Follow the directions
*borrowed from Clay Mann University of Utah
Conclusion
Whether you’re ice skating or writing a grant Build your muscles Work your edges
Both are required for success!
