Applying for a grant can be compared with looking for a new job. Usually, a lot of different candidates claim for the same post. The search for suitable work can be facilitated by analyzing offers and establishing direct contacts with your possible employers. Only by taking these steps, you can convince the employer to choose you. Without the experience of finding a job, you can hardly find a good job in a short time. Gradually, your practical experience grows.
The process of obtaining a grant is the same. Each around the world is attacked by hundreds and even thousands of applicants. However, only some of them have a chance to get funded. Mostly those are seekers who cared to find out which of the funds are closest to the goals and objectives of the particular research.
After all, experience accumulates not only in the process of analyzing funds and drawing up projects. You can get relevant and useful information even if your grant proposal is denied. Be ready to look for funding for some time gradually increasing the level of your proposals.
Below are the 6 Rules for Writing a Grant Proposal for Research:
Rule #1. Pursue purity and precise writing
Remember that many applications are reviewed by the multidisciplinary committees. Most reviewers agree to take part only out of curiosity: they are interested in what’s happening in other sciences. Therefore, one should not “plunder” them with professional jargon; it is better to use special terms if there are no analogs in the commonly used English. Focus on your main idea. It is better to “send” all kinds of details, examples, reference materials to applications — it will facilitate the perception.
Rule #2. The title is of critical importance
Each word used in the title of the project should give the maximum information about the content of the grant. Such titles as “Developing the fundamentals …” only irritate the expert reading it. The name of the project should speak about the genius of the creator. Before this, no one did it! If he or she does get an opportunity to do this (if he or she is not given a grant), the development of fundamental science in this area will stop. Often, you have only from 90 to 120 to give an engaging title to your paper.
Rule #3. Be convincing about methodology
The methodology implies not only a list of your research tasks but also arguments proving that the formulation of precisely these tasks will advance you in solving the central problem of the project. Tell as much as possible in detail about the methods you are going to use for data analysis and about the criteria for the validity of the results obtained. The clearer the reviewer states what precisely, how and why he or she is going to do, the more salutary this will have for the fate of the application.
Rule #4. Don’t ask for round sum of money
It is a psychological trick, but it works and you shouldn’t neglect it. Using round sums of money, like “we need $2000 for this, $4000 for that, and $20 000 in general” seems like your estimations are approximate, not detailed. Round sums look good, and it is much easier to count if you round sums like 1889 upwards or downward, but it doesn’t look trustworthy. Make your estimations look legit and reliable, try not to use round sums.
Rule #5. Allocate enough time for writing your proposal
Writing a grant proposal is much more complicated than just asking for money and explaining why it is essential to do the particular research. You should set the deadline at least 10-14 days before the general deadline set by the specific donor. This way you will have enough time to hone the details, ask for advice, consult your professors or even a donor organization.
Rule #6. Remember about responsibility for your plans and claims
Finally, always remember that the grantor (donor) has the right and must demand from you following all the provisions indicated during the tender, as well as report on the results of the project. All the requirements of the grantor will be mentioned in the contract, which you will have to sign before receiving money.
If you and your group don’t comply with the provisions of the contract or perform them not meticulously enough, if you don’t provide the reports on time, the grantor may require immediate refund. Be very careful with reports as later you can use them to get more funding. It is crucial to make your first grant project flawless, as later it will allow you to use it as a proof of your reliability when applying to the same or another donor.
There is a great opportunity for students to hire a freelance grant proposal writer online, at professional writing agency.
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