How to Write a Focused and Good research grant proposal
Academic success and promotion in medicine largely depends on the quality and quantity of received grants. Grant money brings prestige and notoriety to the writer and his institution.
A research proposal is essentially a plan for work in order to test a hypothesis or set of hypotheses in order to answer a research question. One of the most important things to bear in mind when drafting a proposal is the fact that authors are required to tailor it to suit the audience. If the document being written is a PhD research proposal, it is imperative that authors follow the guidelines laid out by the university or faculty for this type of document.
A good hypothesis drives a proposal to a new observation. A fundable hypothesis requires a more focused effort. Hypothesis-driven research dominates the funding landscape. To be competitive, your hypothesis must be derived from a topic that hasn't been adequately addressed in the literature to date. You must also be certain of the impact it will have on the knowledge base for your field of research. Ultimately, your hypothesis must make reviewers believe that your research can bear fruitful results. Research inspired by a central, focused hypothesis is preferred by funding organizations.
Your proposal should convey the attitude that:
• You have identified an important problem, and you are the right person to do the work.
• You will get the job done and find answers to the problem discussed.
• You are aware of previous relevant studies
Have a great scientific idea
One that can be investigated thoroughly, within the context of the institutional resources available to the PI, and within a reasonable time-frame. Stable-isotopic research at a small liberal arts college without its own mass spectrometer: Is this competitive, or fundable?
Deciding a Research Topic
Your research must be: • Methodical, repeatable, and verifiable. • Not done before. • Significant. • Reasonable probability of success. • Lends itself to a viable research plan. You must have facilities to accomplish the research.
Good research starts with a good idea!
Once you have identified a good idea, you need to clearly define the problem that needs to be addressed and formulate a research question. Subsequently you need to ask yourself if that question is already answered
The goal of the research design and methods section is to: − Minimize the number of assumptions reviewers must make about your project. − Show that you are using scientifically sound approaches.
OUTCOMES OF YOUR STUDY
Consider the following questions:
Why are you doing this research?
− What are the long-term implications?
- Who will benefit from these findings and who might be deprived or harmed as a result of the study?
− What will happen with the research findings?
− What is the ultimate application or use of the research?
Key Points:
· Avoid including open-ended research questions that make reviewers question your focus and feasibility
· Effectively tackle gaps in knowledge and literature to clearly demonstrate your research focus
· Craft your proposal so reviewers can easily identify what your research hopes to predict
· Understand how hypotheses impact the design of your Research Strategy
· Identify cues to include in your hypothesis that can determine the likelihood of positive results
· Develop feasible and repeatable experiments to convince reviewers that your project will be successful
The point of the title is to hold the reader’s attention and pique their interest in the rest of the research proposal.
· Read the eligibility rules
· Leave plenty of time to prepare
· No unexplained jargon
· Get other people to read it
· Explain why research is needed
· Network effectively
· Justify extra time or resources
· Participate in funding panels
· Interpret referees feedback carefully
· Plan applications in batches
- Badges
- Science topic
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