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Writing Successful Grant Applications
If you are preparing an application for the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) you may find it useful to look on their website http://www.nihr.ac.uk/programmes_research_programmes.aspx and read in conjunction with Directors comments on what makes a successful bid
http://www.nihr.ac.uk/files/pdfs/NIHR_Programme_Grants_-_Director_Comments.pdf
Please keep the R&D Department informed of ALL applications made to the NIHR.
How to write successful grant applications:
The world of research funding is highly competitive and applications have to stand out from the competition in order to be successful. These are some key pointers to consider when preparing a grant application:
• Find out as much background information about the funding body as possible. Most funders now have their own websites where information can be found on their objectives and grants that have been funded in the past. This information will help you tailor the proposal to the aims of the funding body and therefore increase the likelihood of your project being funded
• Give yourself time to write the proposal, obtain input from colleagues, reviewers and statisticians, to prepare a detailed budget and obtain organisational sign-off.
• Familiarise yourself with the guidance associated with the funding scheme and follow them! There is steep competition for research funding and funding bodies often have to be harsh in sifting out applications. Those that haven't fulfilled the criteria or followed the guidance will often be disregarded at this initial point. It is therefore essential that the guidance is followed so that the chances of progressing to the next round are maximised.
• Demonstrate the originality of the research – Undertake a thorough literature review and describe research in the area that has preceded your proposal and explain why your proposal is novel.
• Explain the need for the research and how it will impact on the beneficiaries of the research and (if applicable) the NHS.
• Ensure that the appropriate methodology is utilised, the study is adequately powered and there is a clear plan for the analysis of data. Seek input from a statistician or specialist with expertise in the methodology you intend to use.
• Involve the beneficiaries of the research and other interested parties in the study design. This will ensure your study is meeting the needs of the beneficiaries and Consumers can help to ensure that research doesn't just measure outcomes that are identified and considered important by professionals. See the section on public and patient involvement in research for further information.
• Ensure that the proposed timetable for the research is realistic and achievable. An over-ambitious timetable may give a poor impression of your ability to plan and therefore question your ability to carry out the research
• Provide a realistic budget for the project. Each funding body has different rules on what can be budgeted for under their scheme. It is essential that a well thought out and thorough budget is provided as this helps instil faith in your ability to plan and undertake research. Funding bodies will usually only pay the amount identified in the budget and so any additional costs that weren't anticipated in the budget would have to be met by your organisation.
• Ensure that a clear plan for disseminating the findings of the research is outlined in the proposal. This should include various methods of dissemination, such as presenting at conferences, providing information to websites, producing newsletters for research participants and shouldn't just rely on publication in peer review journals
• You should demonstrate why you are best placed to undertake this research project, including past experience, interest in the area, evidence of publications in this field. It is also important to outline the experience of the research team and demonstrate that it contains all the necessary expertise and has a strong track record in research
These are some of key points to bear in mind when writing a grant application. However it is important to consider the rules and regulations of the particular funding body you are applying to and consult as many people as possible about the proposal.
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Sources of further advice:
There are many web-based sources of advice on writing successful grant applications. Some recommended sources of advice are:
RDInfo, the web-based database on research funding opportunities contains a section of useful aids to obtaining funding, including information on costing a proposal, obtaining ethical review and publishing.
Trust Finance Department has produced guidance for costing research projects and is available to support researchers in finalising the costs of their grants.
Click here for all the supporting documents.
The University of Leeds Research Support Unit has a number of resources available to support researchers including costing information:
Frequently asked questions on costing research proposals
The following links may contain information specific to the funding scheme/country the author is based in. However they also contain generic advice that can be transferred to the particular funding scheme/s you are applying to and may therefore by useful:
Research Grants and How to Get Them
- by Professor Peter Bergquist, DVC (Research), Macquarie University
- from the University of Michigan Research Centre
- from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Five Things to Know about Writing Better Grant Proposals
- from the University of Texas at Austin