"Writing Successful Grant Proposals: Lessons Learned”

Don W. MorganDepartment of Health and Human PerformanceCenter for Physical Activity and Health in Youth

My Story (in brief) • As an untenured Assistant Professor, I received a number

of small external grants (ranging from $1500 to $13,000) from the U.S. Olympic Committee, Nike, and Avia to study the energy demands of human locomotion in endurance athletes

• I heard a guest speaker talk about her NIH-funded research program and had an “Aha” moment

• With very little help and direction, I started my journey towards trying to secure larger-scale external funding

My Story (in brief)• I have submitted five proposals to the NIH; two were

funded for a total of $743,000 and one ($383,000) has been revised and is currently under review

• I’ve also submitted one proposal to the CDC that was funded for just over $1,000,000

• So, I know what it’s like to see one’s efforts rewarded and supported, but I also know what it’s like to work hard and not receive external funding

• In addition, I’ve served on a number of NIH Study Sections and this has been quite illuminating

First Things First … • Does your proposed research topic:

– address an important question or issue in your field of study in an innovative manner?

– have meaningful, real-life application(s)?

– have growth potential or staying power (i.e., sustainable over the long-term)?

• Is the research environment such that you can conduct the entirety of the work at MTSU? Will you need to collaborate with colleagues or other institutions and organizations?

• Where are you and your graduate students in the research stream?

Preparing to Write the Proposal • Carefully read the description of the proposal request and

take time to consider possible research or programmatic

ideas that might fit within the proposal guidelines

• Communicate with a representative or program officer of

the agency that will potentially fund your project to see if

they’re interested in your idea(s)

• If applicable, identify the appropriate grant mechanism to support your work

• Your overriding goal is to write a proposal that elicits an enthusiastic response from reviewers!

Examples of ‘Weak’ and ‘Strong’ Reviewer Enthusiasm

‘Weak’ Reviewer Enthusiasm “While the problem of

energetic costs for children with cerebral palsy is significant, the research proposed here offers a contribution to the literature, but one that is not of sufficient impact nor important to informing treatment strategies.”

‘Strong’ Reviewer Enthusiasm

“Overall, there is a very high level of enthusiasm for this project. The investigators are well-qualified to complete this project and have a strong track record of completing similar research projects. The approach to the project is very thorough and sound.”

Writing the Proposal • Follow the “2-sentence” rule

• Give yourself plenty of time to write the proposal

• Devote particular care in framing the introductory sections of your proposal (e.g., Specific Aims, Background and Significance) – it is in these sections that you orient reviewers to the scientific merit and practical significance of your project, lay out the basic approach(es) you will use to test your hypotheses, and link your research plan to the goals of the funding agency

Writing the Proposal• Don’t propose to do too much – more is not always

better

• Write the proposal in your own voice

Writing the Proposal• Make it easy for reviewers to understand your research

plan (e.g., transitioning smoothly between sections, clearly tying methodology and statistical analyses back to your specific aims and hypotheses, etc.)

• Revise, revise, revise – continue to remove the clutter and sharpen the focus of your proposal

• Allow colleagues in your area to critically evaluate what you have written and be completely open to their comments – if you feel they have merit, consider revising your proposal to incorporate their suggestions

Mechanics of Proposal Preparation

• Use a font size and spacing between lines that makes it easy to read your proposal

• Consider using newspaper-type layout in writing your proposal -- so much of what we read every day is laid out in this type of format

Preparing for Peer Review (NIH) • Identify possible study sections that could evaluate your

proposal and discuss these possibilities with your program officer – he/she can direct you towards study sections that may more favorably evaluate your work and steer you away from study sections that would be problematic or inappropriate

• Examine the list of people on your study section list – are there individuals who are knowledgeable about or familiar with your topic or your work?

• Request a specific study section to evaluate your proposal

Finalizing Your Proposal and Asking the Right Questions

• Is the proposal well-organized? Are essential elements of your proposal easy to locate?

• Is the writing and appearance of the proposal clear and attractive? Are transitions between sections logical and easy to follow?

• Have the proposal review criteria been clearly addressed?

• Have you presented a compelling case for funding?

Finalizing Your Proposal and Asking the Right Questions

• Has a strong case been made for the qualifications of the researchers? Is it clear that the research environment is adequate and there is strong institutional support for the project? Have consultants been included on your research team that can provide expertise that you may lack?

• Has a realistic budget been proposed? Is it internally consistent with the work you propose?

• Has all institutional paperwork (internal budgeting, approvals, etc.) been obtained?

Resubmitting Your Proposal • The majority of proposals don’t get funded initially –

most people revise and resubmit their proposals

• Look over the reviewers’ comments and give some dedicated time and attention to thinking about how you will carefully respond to and incorporate the reviewers’ comments and suggestions into a proposal resubmission

• Solicit comments from colleagues and outside consultants on how to respond constructively to reviewers’ critiques

Some Final Thoughts …

• Take the time and care needed to submit the very best proposal that you can -- if you feel rushed, wait till the next submission deadline

• In essence, your job is to give reviewers a reason to get excited about your research plan – make them fall in love with your proposal!

• Remember that persistence is the key – you can’t receive funding if you don’t submit or revise your proposal

Some Final Thoughts … • Read good writing wherever your can find it … this

will help you to become a better writer and wordsmith

• Especially for new investigators and graduate students – pick your research and programmatic areas carefully – the choices you make now may impact your ability to secure grant funding later in your career

• Be open to new possibilities and ways to apply your current research expertise

Some Final Thoughts …

• If you are fortunate to receive external funding, your whole research career can take on an entirely different sheen …