How to raise funds for research
How to raise funds for research
James Grist – Research fellow for University of Birmingham
All charities are different. Some have the same end goal in mind but go about addressing the need in very different ways. For example, both NSPCC and Barnado’s work for the sake of vulnerable children but what makes them different is the way deals they respond to the need. NSPCC focuses more on campaigning against child abuse and Barnado’s are a service provider for those children. So when applying for funding, they will be looking for and applying to different grant bodies.
As a result, when applying for funds, you need to be clear in your overall vision but also how you address it as some grant givers might fund project costs and other’s research. The process can be similar but they are some stark differences when applying for research. As a result, I’ve asked a research fellow to help us understand more about how to apply for funds for research.
1. What preparation is vital to do before applying/approaching a funder for a grant?
My preparation for a funding application tends to be a process of first identifying what I want funding for, but also trying to develop the project so that it closely matches the interests of the funder. This process can be a little intimidating at first, with a large quantity of research required to know the current ‘state-of-the art’, however, once you’re at the front of the game, it is relatively easy to submit applications.
Furthermore, it is always good to contact the organisation that you’re applying to to scope out their thoughts on your project - some even require a pre-submission enquiry to be undertaken before you send in the full document. Again, this can seem a little daunting as there are so many people to contact, but once funded you may be seen as a safe pair of hands for further applications.
2. How do you research who to apply to?
This really depends on what you’re looking to apply for! In general, I have a few automated emails that appear every week summarising open funding calls from different fields.
For example, if you’re looking for a research grant in the scientific arena, I’d look at websites such as Research Professional (https://www.researchprofessional.com), though you may need a University email account to register for this service.
Furthermore, there are several good organisations that summarise open funding calls, such as the Diocese of Ely fund finder (https://www.elydiocese.org/diocesan-office-departments/church-buildings-and-dac/grants-and-funding/fund-finder) or Grants Online (https://www.grantsonline.org.uk).
However, there are also many small trusts and charities that don’t advertise online (or are particularly hard to find if they do) and so asking around to individuals who routinely apply for funding is always a good option.
3. What would you always include in an application?
Regardless of the application, I always make sure I include a strong evidence base for my project, be that from scientific literature (for research grants) or from previous activities and projects I’ve completed. A strong opening statement succinctly summarising the problem and your solution is always a must, to whet the appetite of your reviewers. Try to include figures and photos of successful projects, where possible, to break up large chunks of text.
Finally, a strong closing statement summarising what you have just written and how you will solve the problem presented is always a good way to finish an application.
4. What should you not include?
This is a tricky one - and really depends on what the funders are looking for. Don’t overdo it on the CV - academics love a 14-side document, however, most people don’t. Furthermore, try to not use colloquial or slang phrases as your reviewers will probably not understand your writing.
Seems like a simple one, but try to not repeat word usage in the same sentence. If you’re struggling, go to a thesaurus to find a way to rephrase your statement. Finally, try to make each sentence as concise as possible: if you can get away with fewer words to make the same point, your reviewer will thank you.
5. How do you think applying for a grant for research differs to applying for a small local project?
There are several similarities between small funding and research project grants. However, in general, research applications tend to have much larger project description sections (up to 10,000 words in one I’m currently writing!). Furthermore, research grants also tend to have a larger number of references required for the project description, with thorough scientific backing for all statements made. Furthermore, if applying to non-charitable trusts, research grants are allowed to include indirect costs for projects, such as non-essential staff and running costs.
6. Any other comments
This is really a numbers game… the more grants that you apply for, the more you’ll get! It can seem disheartening after a rejection, but you have to keep ongoing. Remember that everyone else gets rejected, pick yourself up, and get going again!
James is an academic researcher in functional imaging for the University of Birmingham having completed his PhD at Cambridge University. For James to complete his research, he needs to seek finance to fund the research so needs to be great at identifying grants and completing applications. You can follow James on Twitter here: @james_grist
