I want to apply for my first grant as a PI. Please give me some tips to write a successful grant proposal

There are several factors that you need to keep in mind in order to write a successful grant proposal.

1. Come up with a fundable research idea. Something that you would be interested in working in as well as something the funding agency would be willing to fund.
2. Analyze the risk factors involved in the project. Different agencies have different preference when it comes to risk factors of a project. Agencies like DARPA like to fund high risk projects, whereas agencies like NIH like to fund low risk projects that have a high chance of success. Ensure that the risk factor of the project matches the type that your funding agency of choice prefers.

• Start your application with an outline. It will ensure that your thought process is clear. Also check for any guidelines or structure of applications specified by your funding agency. Ensure that you adhere to them.

1. There are certain key questions that you need to address in your grant application. These key questions include-

• What is the problem that you are addressing?
• What is the benefit of addressing this problem?
• What is the bottleneck towards addressing this problem?
• What have other researchers done to address it?
• What is your approach towards addressing it?
• What is your hypothesis behind your proposed approach?

1. Include quantitative milestones and a detailed timeline. These factors could potentially be a deciding factor for the funding agency. They would have their preferences about funding a long term or a short term project.
2. Your budget would be another important factor that would be considered while evaluating you application. Put forth a realistic budget, and give a detailed break up to justify it.

A word of advice would be to allot sufficient time for the entire process, you cannot put together a grant application overnight. Check for any requirements that would require help from other such as administrative documents, approval letters etc. Initiate the process as soon as possible to get these. Avoid the last minute rush.

Also, if you wish to seek professional help for your grant application, you can avail of Enago’s Grant Writing Service. Enago’s team of expert consultants, writers and editors can help you boost your chances of securing funding by helping your write a persuasive research grant proposal.