Course summary

Writing grant applications is an essential competency for many researchers and academics seeking funding for research projects in Australia today.

This course will help you become ‘grant ready’, giving you the tools you need to confidently plan, prepare, write and submit a compelling research grant application or funding proposal.

The first part of the course will focus on strategic preparation. We will put theory into practice, exploring the essential building blocks of grant writing and applying them to your research project. This stage will provide invaluable guidance on identifying relevant funding opportunities, assessing research and funder fit, and planning and preparing your submission.

Excellence in execution drives the second part of the course. We will delve into the aims and objectives of funding bodies and research grant programs, to ensure your project is in alignment and can be considered a viable investment. You will learn how to respond to evaluation criteria effectively and present your research application in a clear, persuasive and professional way.

The course is ideal for researchers who are new to grant writing, as well as more experienced academics looking to strengthen their grant writing skills and improve the competitiveness of their applications.

Aims

This course aims to:

• equip you with the knowledge, skills and tools to get ‘research grant ready’
• help you understand what drives research funding decisions
• provide you with a robust strategy to plan, prepare and write a compelling research grant application
• empower you to feel confident writing high-quality research grant applications and place you in the best position for success.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• describe and understand the essential elements of the research grant writing process
• discuss key principles of research funding across government, philanthropic and other funding sources
• understand the aims, objectives and priorities of different research funding bodies
• understand the different types of research grants and funding programs available
• understand how different research grants apply to individual researchers, research teams and projects
• understand the competitive nature of research funding
• understand how to approach government, philanthropic, trust and foundation research grants
• explain how and where to search for research grants and identify suitable funding opportunities

Content

This course will empower participants using the following framework:

Strategic preparation + excellence in execution = a compelling grant proposal

The course has two vital components:

Session 1: Strategic preparation

At the outset, it’s important to remember that research grants are not simply a source of funding. Rather, they are an investment by a funding body in a research project, researcher or research team. Therefore, it’s essential to demonstrate the value and significance of the proposed research, its alignment with the funding opportunity, and the outcomes or impact it is expected to achieve. We will cover the following topics:

• introduction to the research grant writing process
• get ‘research grant ready’ by ensuring you have the right information, evidence and internal processes in place
• develop an ‘investment mindset’ and identify how your research aligns with the priorities and intended outcomes of the funding body
• identify where to find research grant opportunities, and how to assess your eligibility and fit
• plan a timeline with achievable milestones for developing and submitting the application
• address and respond to evaluation criteria with appropriate evidence and supporting information.

Session 2: Excellence in execution

Here, we focus on the finer details of writing a compelling research funding proposal. We consider strategies to clearly and concisely communicate the value of the research, respond to evaluation criteria, and ensure you have everything you need to submit a strong grant application. We’ll cover:

• aims and objectives of research funding bodies, the priorities of funding programs, and what they mean for your research application
• how to communicate your research clearly and avoid unnecessary jargon, while using relevant language and terminology from the funding guidelines
• how to write compelling responses to the evaluation criteria
• how to clearly articulate the significance, outcomes and potential impact of your research
• how to develop and complete an application check list
• how to ensure your application is complete and submitted on time.

Who this course is for

This is a practical, hands-on course which will appeal to researchers preparing to write their first research grant or more experienced researchers looking to enhance their grant writing skills. The course is designed for a wide range of participants including university researchers, academics, higher degree research students, research professionals and others involved in preparing research funding applications. The content will be applicable across a range of research disciplines including arts, education, health, science and technology, and social sciences.

Prerequisites

None

Delivery style

This grant writing course is an interactive workshop which includes presenter training, in-class exercises, class discussion and Q&A session.

Delivery mode

• Face-to-face, presenter-taught training using your own device
• Online training via the platform Zoom

Materials

All course materials are provided electronically.

What you need to do before the course

Face-to-face classes

To get the most out of the course, please bring your own laptop so you can take part in the in‑class activities.