As scientists, we have a wealth of information in our heads and in our research files that back up our current hypotheses. Decades of publications to build on, our own preliminary data, research we see presented at conferences or in guest seminars.
When it comes time to write a grant, one of the main sticking points I encounter is in the very beginning – either in the specific aims or the signficance sections – when you’re trying to take that compendium of knowledge and tell the reviewers: so what?
It’s tempting to dump everything you know, prove how much you know and how much time you’ve spent thinking about your project and what you need funding for. After all, it’s impressive, right?
I would argue that, if a reviewer doesn’t know within the first 200 words of your proposal, the answer to that question of “so what?” – you’re going to have a hard time convincing them.
One of the best ways I know of to train yourself to get to the point: get rid of the blank page and talk it out.
Try to explain within two minutes, maybe even one minute, why you’re so passionate about your project. Why it just has to be done. Don’t try to speak in jargon or present specific data. All you need to do is say the following:
- What the problem is you’re trying to solve and why it matters.
- What we know already about how to solve this problem.
- What we don’t know but need to know to solve this problem – this is what you will be doing.
- What we will know after you do the work.
Speak aloud. Yes, seriously. Record yourself. Pretend you’re talking to a layperson – someone smart and curious but who doesn’t need to know the stack of preliminary data that proves your point. (Or, if that seems silly, find a family member or friend or the nearest consultant (ahem) and have them ask you these questions and note down what you say.)
The story needs to be enough to justify your work. The data and research to back it up – that’s frosting to use sparingly.
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