Comprehensive, concise and full proof way of receiving grants to fund a research study with salient components listed below.
Covering letter: Letter to funding agencies enlisting all enclosures
1. Title page (PICOT) – upto 25 words
2. Abstract (IMRaD format) without
a. Results
b. Conclusion
3. Introduction: (FINER) upto 300 words
a. Problem statement
b. Knowledge gaps in existing scientific literature
c. Novelty
d. Societal impact
e. End with hypothesis & (SMART) Objectives: 100 words
i. Preferably 2: 1 primary and 1 or 2 secondary
4. Literature review
5. MethodologyProject Description 800 words
a. Detailed Study design, population, Sampling procedure with sample size determination, Data collection procedures, Statistics, Ethical considerations
b. Seamless connection between sections
c. Administrative part in order Institutional permissions, Bank details
6. Budget & Justification: 100 words
a. Recurring
a. Stationary
b. Equipment maintenance
b. Non-recurring
a. IEC fees
b. Bank processing charges
c. Research team Research coordinator, research assistant, research associate
7. Timeline: Gantt chart
8. References: Upto 5 upto 300 words
a. Vancouver style
b. APA
2. Outline
Quiz
Summary
How to Increase probability of grant APPROVAL
Features of Good Grant Proposal
Fundamentals of Grant Process Writing
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3. Why Bother Acquiring & Applying?
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An Integral Armament
In Researcher’s Arsenal
Form of financial aid Convince funding
agencies
4. Step 1: Introspect
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Why is your topic
of research
important?
What is its
relevance?
What hypothesis
do you wish to
prove?
What are the
methods
available?
Is it Quantitative/
Qualitative?
Observational/
Interventional?
5. Step 2a: Look for funding agencies
Resources: Teachers
Colleagues
Online Google
University
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Even the most appealing proposal in the world is unlikely
to succeed if not sent to the right agency
6. Step 2b
Government institutes
• ICMR Extramural
• MD/ MS/ DM/ MCh/ MDS
Thesis
• Post-doctoral research
• International travel
• Conduct Research
workshops
• DST
• CSIR
• DBT
• Institutional funding body:
IIT_ Madras
Private agencies
• Lady Tata Memorial Trust
• Azim Premji Foundation
• Societies for specific
conditions:
• E.g. Micheal J Fox
foundation for Parkinson’s
Research
International
• Howard Hughes Med.
Institute
• NIH
• Ford Foundation
• *Requires HMSC
clearance
Databases of funding
agencies
• R&D funding schemes of
Central Govt.
• National Centre for
Biological Sciences
• Online Portals:
• Grants.gov
• Healthresearchfunders.org
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7. For P.G. MGM Medical & Dental College 11/23/2023 7
8. Step 2c.Customize Your Proposal
Funding agencies have
their own guidelines
Proposal reviewers:
Learned intellectuals
Writing style:
Scientific
Formal
Questions reviewers
seek answers to:
What is new?
Social relevance?
How to validate findings
and conclusion?
Robust methodology
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9. Step 2d: Internal Reviews & Submission
Internal
reviewers
• Teachers
• Colleagues
• Experts
Submit
Wait & wait
Binary fate
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10. Step 3
Mandate forms Bank details
Institutional bank
account
Complete the project Submit progress
report:
Semi-annual
Annual
Final report AS PER
REQUIREMENT
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11. Standard Proposal Template
Covering
letter:
Title page
Abstract (IMRaD format)
Introduction
Literature review
Project Description
Budget & Justification
Timeline
References
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13. Categories
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Recurring
Staff Lab tech./
Research assistant/ coordinator
Statistician
Consumables/ refill
Non-recurring
IEC fees
Equipments
Others
Travels
overhead
Zero cost team members
15. Equipments & Consumables
Justify need in details
E.g. laptop with
specifiations
Statistical software
Workstation
Highlight instruments
already available Include
in ZERO COST
Include equipment
maintenance cost under
recurring cost
Consumables:
Vacutainers/ gloves/ masks
Stationary
Accepted without cuts
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17. Strategies to Increase Chances of Approval
Disclose Conflicts of
Interest
Collaborative work
Inter-departmental
Inter-Institutes
Multidisciplinary team
Biostatistician
Pharmacologist
Pharmaco-economists
Pharmaco-epidemiologist
Study successful
proposals
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18. In a Nutshell
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Grant Proposal
writing is a skill
Practice it
enough to get it
right
Take small steps
for a giant leap
Conform to
funding
agency’s
guidelines
Disclose all
conflicts of
interest
Rejection is not
an obstacle but
a STEPPING
STONE