Writing a fundable research grant proposal

Writing a fundable research grant proposal, from conception of the idea to submission of the proposal, is an art which requires developing the right skills. A fundable research grant proposal may benefit society, the economy, culture and/or the environment. It could also advance knowledge and improve services in any area of human endeavour. As an art, writing a fundable research grant proposal requires mastering higher-level skills, which in turn depends on time, experience, dedication and perseverance.

Writing a fundable research grant proposal requires mastering higher-level skills

The process of writing fundable research grant proposals could be dseparated into three phases, namely:

Stage 1 – Preliminary phase

This is the toughest phase of research grant proposal writing and could take years to master. It involves understanding a given problem and how that problem might be solved. It is also the idea conception stage, which could depend on various factors such as conducting a robust literature review to find a missing knowledge gap. In some cases, it could involve undertaking a pilot study to develop a baseline data set. Other aspects pertaining to this phase include the need to develop a track record and developing grant writing skills.

A track record is a researcher’s achievement over a certain period. It includes publishing journal articles in reputable journals, collaborating with other researchers, contributing to the development of other researchers – capacity building, volunteering in professional bodies, acquiring useful skills such as in research methodologies, and statistical analysis, and learning the use of statistical software and leadership. 

It is important to know one's audience and identify the right funding opportunity

In this phase of research grant proposal writing, researchers are also required to develop an actionable plan. It is important that researchers have a clear picture of the problem they want to solve or the service they want to improve or provide. Equally, it is important to know one's audience and identify the right funding opportunity. Conducting a pilot study or carrying out a scoping or systematic review could be important at this stage, since that would show potential funders that you know your onions.

Stage 2 – Application phase

The second phase of research grant proposal writing involves starting early by developing your proposal well ahead of time and then waiting for the right opportunity. Waiting for the right opportunity before writing could result in undue pressure and missing of the (sometimes tight) deadline. A generic template following the format below can be used to draft one's proposal:

• Title
• Proposal summary – aims, significance, expected outcomes and benefits
• Introduction
  • Aims
  • Preliminary studies (if any)
• Research plan (Methodology)
• Feasibility
• Timeline
• Outcomes and significance
• Personnel and roles
• Budget
• References

It is important to carefully read the funding guidelines to ensure you meet their requirements

When a funding opportunity is identified, it is important to carefully read the funding guidelines to ensure you meet their requirements. Funders have their strategic priorities and could be limited in the number of projects they fund. It is therefore important to follow the guidelines provided by the funders in detail. While drafting your proposal, it is also important to start with a compelling problem statement specific to the problem to be solved. A generalised and generic solution should be avoided.

The budget should be well prepared. The budget for a research project includes both the direct costs relating to the project and any indirect costs. Direct costs include the researcher’s salary, where permitted, research assistant(s), equipment, conference attendance costs and journal publication fees. Indirect costs are other administrative costs that would be incurred by the researcher's institution. These include insurance, superannuation/pension contributions and salary increments. It is important for researchers to check with their institution's research office or its equivalent to be familiar with their institution's policies on budgeting research projects.  

Stage 3 – Submission phase

The final phase is the submission of the grant proposal. Early submission of a research grant proposal cannot be overemphasised. Researchers should avoid submitting their application on the submission date, because there could be problems with their internet connection, thereby resulting in late submission of their application. The grant proposal should be checked for readability and reviewed by experienced colleagues. The proposal should be well edited, as unexpected errors could lead to rejection of the application.  

In conclusion, research grant proposal writing takes time, particularly to develop the required skills. However, with training and early preparation, the art of writing impactful and engaging research grant proposals could be mastered.

Dr. Olumide A. Odeyemi is a multi-award-winning researcher and research support specialist.