General grantsmanship tips regarding formatting, writing to the reviewers and review criteria, and preparing initial sections (part 1 of 3)
The following is a summary of the video transcript:
Planning and Preparation:
- Start planning grant applications well in advance, considering publication needs and deadlines.
- Inform colleagues, staff, and family about upcoming grant work.
- Block out dedicated time for grant writing.
Formatting and Structure:
- Follow required formats and font requirements.
- Avoid trying to circumvent page limits or using microscopic figures.
- Ensure the application is aesthetically pleasing and easy to read.
Collaboration:
- Identify collaborators early and allow time for their input.
- Ensure the final grant has a consistent voice when multiple authors are involved.
Key Sections:
- Biosketch: Highlight qualifications and relevance to the proposed research.
- Resources and Facilities: Convince reviewers you have the necessary resources to conduct the research.
- Project Summary: Crucial for first impressions, should complement the specific aims.
- Specific Aims: Often the most important and labor-intensive section, as it may be the only part some reviewers read in full.
Writing Tips:
- Use appropriate headings and subheadings.
- Minimize acronyms, especially field-specific ones.
- Avoid walls of text; use white space effectively.
- Write for a broader scientific audience, not just experts in your specific field.
Review Process:
- Get internal reviews and conduct mock review panels if possible.
- Consider who will be reviewing your grant and write accordingly.
Specific Aims Page:
- Should include a lead-in (problem statement), aims with general hypotheses, and an impact statement.
- Often requires as much effort as the entire research strategy.
The presentation emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation, clear writing, and strategic presentation of information to maximize the chances of grant success.
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