Tips for writing grant applications

In March we attended several of the Research Festival: Focus on Funders events. Here's the tips we picked up on writing funding applications for research councils and other funding bodies.

Keep up to date with the latest funding opportunities via mailing lists, twitter, RSS feeds, the Research Professional Database, and checking the funders' website regularly.
Make sure you read all the funding information carefully and understand the application process thoroughly, so you can target your application correctly.
Start working on the application as early as possible.
Use the buzz words that appear in the call for funding and in the instructions for reviewers.
Ensure your proposal is innovative, interesting, based on sound principles and fits the priorities of the funding body.
Follow the application instructions completely - even if you think they are asking you to repeat information there will be a reason for it!
Understand who you are writing the application for - usually writing for two audiences

Experts in the field - the peer-reviewers
Non-experts from a wider field - panel members, introducers

Common mistakes in applications:

Not fully identifying the context of the work
Unsound methodologies and techniques

If you are an early career researcher then:

Be a junior partner on a grant proposal to gain experience and build up a reputation for delivering.
Get good at networking at conferences.
Start applying to small grants as the main applicant.

EU, international collaboration and funding from smaller bodies can be good opportunities - often less visible calls for funding, so seek them out.
Use the internal review process - get feedback from colleagues before submitting your application. There are schemes within the Colleges to help you with this or contact the Research Support Office.
Budget correctly - do not over or under estimate - again the Research Support Office can help you with research costings.
Learn from successful applications - some are available to view via your Departmental Research Director.
Important to write a good impact statement.
Make sure you write an excellent plain English summary for the non-experts on the funding panel - you need to get people who aren't in your specialism excited about your research.
Respond to reviewers comments politely and succinctly – your response is another opportunity to impress the funding body.
Ensure word counts are adhered to and proof read your application!

Take home message - do your homework, get advice from colleagues, target your application.

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