Keep Your Eye on the Prize:
Tips for Successful Grant
Writing
Kelli I. Stajduhar, R.N., Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Centre on Aging and School of
Nursing, UVic
CIHR New Investigator
MSFHR Research Scholar
Overview of Workshop
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Purpose of Research Proposal
Significant Elements of Research Proposal
Common Problems with Research Proposals
General "Tips" to Consider
Discussion
Purpose of Research Proposal
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Communicates research plan to others (e.g.,
funding agencies)
Serves as a detailed plan for action
Serves as a contract between investigator
and funding bodies when proposal approved
Questions a Proposal Must Address
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What you want to do
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Why this is a reasonable thing to do
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Central hypothesis/research question
Specific objectives
Review of previous work by you and others
Succinct rationale for project
Why this is important
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Significant new knowledge to be obtained
Improvements to health which will result
Questions a Proposal Must Address
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How you are going to do it
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Detailed work plan, logical sequence and
timelines
Analysis and interpretation of results
Pitfalls and ways around them
Why you should do it
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Relevant prior experience and skills
Collaborators for technical gaps
Preliminary data showing feasibility
Framework for Writing a "Typical"
Research Proposal
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Introduction/Background
Introduce topic and significance
 Statement of purpose, research
questions/objectives/hypotheses
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Review of Literature
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Related literature and theoretical traditions
Framework for Writing a "Typical"
Research Proposal
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Design and Methods
Overall approach and rationale
 Sampling, recruitment, data collection methods,
data analysis
 Rigor (trustworthiness and/or validity and
reliability of the research)
 Ethical considerations
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Framework for Writing a "Typical"
Research Proposal
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Timeline
Dissemination/Knowledge Translation
Limitations
Investigator Roles and Expertise
Budget
Appendices
Introducing the Study
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Goal: capture interest in the study
Focus on importance of study
 Clear and concise (details will follow)
 Synopsis of the primary target of the study
 Persuasive logic backed up with factual
evidence
 Should "paint a picture" of your proposal in the
mind of the reader
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The Problem/Research Question
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For qualitative studies, the problem statement usually
broad, but must be specific enough to convince others
that it is worth focusing on
For quantitative studies, problem statement much more
specific with delineation of hypotheses
Research questions clearly delineated (sometimes with
sub-questions)
Scope of research question(s) needs to be manageable
within the time frame and context of the study
The Problem/Research Question
May also consider writing goals and objectives for
the research
 Goals are large statements of what you hope to
accomplish
 Objectives are operational and tell specific
things you will be accomplishing in your project
Literature Review
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Selective and persuasive - building a case for what
is known or believed, what is missing, and how
the study fits in
Seeking to identify gaps in knowledge and how
the research will address these gaps
Structure of literature review differs for
qualitative/quantitative proposals
Showcase what you have already done
Conclude with a brief summary outlining
significance, originality, practical implications
(i.e., how your research will increase knowledge
and lead to better health)
Methods Section
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Orientation to the Method
Broad description of the particular method that
will be used - Overview of the research plan
 Rationale for qualitative/quantitative research
generally and for the specific method used
 Show clear link between methods and the
objectives you have previously defined
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Sampling
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Define sampling strategy to be used
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Provide rationale
Characteristics of the potential types of persons, events,
or processes to be sampled
Inclusion/exclusion criteria
Sample size
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Estimates provided based on previous experience, pilot
work, power analysis, etc.
Recruitment/Access
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Provide details on:
 Where
the study will take place and why
this is the best location
 How the sample will be recruited
 How you will gain access to the setting(s)
Data Collection Methods
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Define data collection strategy to be used
Provide explicit details
Give rationale for methods and their
appropriateness
Data collection methods vary depending on
research approach - be consistent
Discuss potential pitfalls or obstacles
Suggest alternative approaches
Data Analysis
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Define type of data analysis strategy to be
used
Provide explicit details about data analysis
procedures: qualitative/quantitative
Analysis methods vary depending on
research approach
Data Management & Analysis
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How will the data be kept organized and
retrievable?
How will the researchers engage in reflexivity (e.g.,
by self-analytical)?
Convinces the reader that the researcher is
sufficiently knowledgeable about data analysis and
has the necessary skills
Rigor
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Reflected throughout the proposal
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Address this specifically, using relevant criteria for
the research approach used (e.g.,
qualitative/quantitative)
Ethical Considerations
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Consent forms
Dealing with sensitive issues
Timeline
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A clear indication of the time frame for the research and
the times when each aspect of the research will be
implemented
Create graphical depiction of your time line demonstrates feasibility of your research in a visible way
Be realistic in your projections: goal is to demonstrate
that the tasks can be accomplished in a reasonable
fashion during the project period
Dissemination/Knowledge
Translation
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Identify potential users of research
findings
Include strategies for ongoing
exchange with users: tradition/nontraditional approaches
Detail plans for
communication/dissemination
Limitations
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Highlight that you know what the
limitations of your approach are and what
you plan to do to minimize the limitations
Defend why you chose the approach you did
Investigator Roles and Expertise
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Are the investigators qualified, competent, and
have the experience and credentials?
Define investigator roles: Clarify how each of
the roles are essential to the success of the
project (e.g., what specific knowledge/skills does
each investigator bring to the research)
Is the research environment adequate and
conducive to conducting the study?
Investigator Roles and Expertise:
Track Record (P.I.)
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Academic and Research Training
Honours and Awards
Publications
Research Accomplished
Grant Funding
Leadership
Budget
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Familiarize yourself with what the granting
agency will fund
Think through the research step-by-step and
make a list of what you will need (e.g.,
personnel, supplies, equipment, database access,
etc.)
Budget
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Provide clear description and justification for
items requested, item by item (show how the
costs were calculated)
If hiring research staff, briefly describe
responsibilities of research staff in relation to the
research plan
Make the budget realistic
Appendices
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Complement what is written in the full proposal
Assume the reviewer will only have a short time
to read your proposal and it will only be the
main body of your proposal (not the
appendices)
Then, assume that you have gotten the attention
of the reviewer who would now like some
additional information - this is the purpose of
the Appendices
Examples of Possible Appendices
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Time Line
Letters of Support
Qualitative Interview Questions
Quantitative Survey Questionnaire:
instruments/measures
Dissemination/Knowledge Translation Plan
Commonly cited problems for not
getting funded
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Lack of significance of
scientific issue
Lack of original or new ideas
Unrealistic, overly ambitious
Scientific rationale not valid
Diffuse, superficial, lacks
focus
Commonly cited problems for not
getting funded
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Fishing expedition: no basic scientific question
being addressed
Insufficient methodological detail
Innovation but lacking preliminary data
Inadequate experience of investigator; lack of
appropriate collaborators
General "Tips" to Consider
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Major undertaking: Allocate lot's of time!!
General rule of thumb: Start 4 months before
deadline
Examine proposals from successful applicants
Seek assistance and pre-review from others with
experience in grant writing (plan time for
rewriting)
General "Tips" to Consider
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Highlight match between your proposal and
purpose of competition
Get to know your granting agencies and what
they fund
Know that your proposal may be reviewed by
people who are not in your area
Follow the rules of the competition
Write for a multi-disciplinary audience
General "Tips" to Consider
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Reviewers are busy people and have many
proposals to read: Make your proposal one that
they will want to read!
Use short paragraphs and summarize often
If able, use spaces between headings; bold
important points
Avoid using jargon, trendy or "in" words,
abbreviations, or redundant phrases
Try summarizing main points on a table
General "Tips" to Consider
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If a novice, consider writing the proposal with a
team of people, not just you alone
Consider conducting pilot work or taking some
small steps to begin your research
If Your Proposal is Rejected
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YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
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Carefully read through the reviewers’ comments
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Make the suggested changes to improve your
proposal
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Resubmit to the same or another funding agency.
General "Tips" to Consider
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Be patient and don't give up!