Research Grant Application Skills

1. Dr. M. Belal Professor of Entomology and Pesticide Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University Email: mbelal@actotrade.com Mobile: 012 214 5224 Research Grant Application Skills

2. CV Goal: to present yourself and your skills as well as possible in easy to read format

3. CV The basic elements Personal data + contact details Education (most recent first)‏ Date Which Degree Institution (when attended)‏

4. CV Professional Experience (most recent first)‏ Where When to when Job description, duties relevant to present application Other relevant experience (most recent first)‏ Skills

5. CV Languages (list with indication of proficiency)‏ Computer (list programs you can use)‏ References: (ask these people first if they are willing to provide references for you)‏ Name Position Contact details

6. Cover letter Goal – to catch committee’s attention, show your interest in the position, grant show connection between what the college wants to buy and what you have to sell address to specific individual using correct title highlight your suitability

7. Cover Letter Cont’d Basic elements Address to specific individual using correct title (May need to contact department secretary to find who is chairperson of search committee.)‏ State what position (grant) you are applying for Mention how you heard about position (grant)‏

8. Cover letter - Basic elements Explain why you are interested in the position and the department. Highlight your achievements and qualifications which make you suitable. Connect items in your background with specific needs of the department. (Funding provider) (You may need to do some research to find out exactly what their needs, priorities are.) Give all the information you're asked for.

9. Cover letter - Basic elements In the final paragraph indicate what you are enclosing and offer to provide extra materials or additional information. Thank the committee for its consideration and indicate that you are looking forward to meeting with them in the near future. State when you are available for interview and how you can be contacted. Print your name clearly under your signature

10. Cover Letter Cont’d Text Use simple direct language One page should be enough Proofread The letter will be taken as an indication of the quality of your work.

11. Letter of Recommendation Goal to provide additional information about a candidate for employment, graduate study, funding or other opportunity

12. Letter of Recommendation Cont’d Basic elements Opening Explain relationship between writer and candidate May describe type of experience, length and time period of relationship and any special assignments or responsibilities that the candidate completed Explain why letter is being written

13. Letter of Recommendation Cont’d Body Personal characteristics such as poise, confidence, dependability, patience, creativity, etc. Teaching abilities, knowledge of field, problem solving abilities, ability to manage students, ability to work with colleagues, curriculum development, intellectual ability, capacity for independent and original thought, attitude, motivation etc. Specific areas of strength or special experiences Briefly summarize Clearly state how strongly you recommend (or not) the candidate for the opportunity they are seeking.

14. Letter of Recommendation Cont’d Text About one page Use simple and direct language Proofread Beware of ambiguity as it may be interpreted negatively Be honest

15. Letter of Recommendation Cont’d Information the candidate should provide to the recommendation writer Explain purpose of the letter Desired focus of the letter (e.g. discuss my research skill and experiences in your lab, or discuss my responsibilities as a teaching assistant in your class)‏ Useful skills (e.g. computer, statistical or interpersonal skills)‏ Related experiences (extracurricular, work experience, clubs, volunteer work)‏ Courses taken with the faculty member, with grades and sample work (e.g. term paper)‏ Reasons for pursuing graduate study Resume Transcript

16. Grant Seeking Basics When you receive a grant you in effect entered into a contract to deliver what you promised in writing to do.

17. Grant Seeking Basics Research Look for a funder whose interests match your needs Learn about the funder’s grant application policies and guidelines Discussing your proposal with colleagues will help to clarify it and target it appropriately

18. Grant Seeking Basics Cont’d Apply Follow funder’s guidelines, and application deadline Grant proposal Reviewers look for High scientific quality Proposals that meet the funder’s priorities or fill a knowledge gap Novelty and timeliness Value for money A clear an well thought out approach An interesting idea

19. Grant Seeking Basics Cont’d Structure Title Summary/abstract Background What has been done before? How will the proposed work add to it? Demonstrate your capability and familiarity in the field

20. Grant Seeking Basics Cont’d Aims and objectives Aims: what you intend to achieve with this work Objectives: the small steps you need to take in order to achieve your aim Keep them realistic in terms of time and money Ensure consistency by linking them to methods, timetable and outcomes Methodology Detailed and well thought through Explain why you have chosen a particular method – especially if it is new

21. Grant Seeking Basics Cont’d Work program Use work flow diagrams and Gannt charts for larger projects Resources Detailed budget – be realistic Outcomes, outputs and dissemination Describe the contribution to knowledge Importance for future research Benefits to users How results will be disseminated

22. Grant Seeking Basics Cont’d Project management for large projects include Project plan Timescales and milestones Rights and obligations of the project partners Communication arrangements Reviewers Chose people who know you and your work Don’t use reviewers within your own institution Use international reviewers if appropriate Make sure your chosen reviewer is not on extended leave or sabbatical

23. Grant review Remember only a few of the reviewers will be experts Everyone is pressed for time

24. Grant decision & follow up Turned down (Some organizations may allow you to reapply next time after making recommended changes.)‏ Funded (You get all you asked for.)‏ Partially funded (Money for some aspects may have to come from elsewhere.)‏ Limited (for less time than you requested)‏

25. The Interview Bring all relevent papers with you Copy of application Your cv Notes on why you want to do this research where you think your career is going and how research fits in Be prepared to defend ideas and plan of research Include charts, photographs or illustrations if helpful – not a data show

26. The Interview (Cont'd)‏ Know about the grant-giving organization How started? Special interest? General philosophy? Arrive on time Dress neatly look like a dependable citizen who will use their money well

27. The Interview (Cont'd)‏ Behave with polite confidence Know number and names of the committee members if possible Try to part on good terms with a thank you

28. How to write a report A report is documented evidence that work has been done. Be articulate, accurate and explicit A report should be well-written, informative, concise

29. Decide what material to include Who is it for? Why is it being written? Where will it be circulated?

30. Collect all material likely to be needed – opinions + fact

31. Select what is relevant and important to the subject or needed for explanation

32. Arrange order of information based on logic time flow comparisons cause and effect Stick to 1 type of order

33. Interpret data objectively

34. Decide how to present ( If required to be very short you may want to keep original longer report for your own use later.)‏

35. Financing Graduate Education financial aid sites (hand out)‏ International Grants USA Canada Australia Japan Sweden Netherland UK Germany France

36. Financing Graduate Education Organizations Reputable sites that will search for free (hand out)‏