Competitive research funding has become a major part of academic life. Over the years I have worked on hundreds of funding applications, and seen countless evaluation reports, all of which provided a tough education on what to do, and perhaps more importantly, what not to do, in order to make a compelling application. The intellectual idea is, of course, paramount but there are many other factors at play including impact, timeliness, and track record. But at the end of the day, what reviewers see is the text, and only the text – their role, as most of us know, is increasingly difficult due to time pressures. Many excellent ideas fail because of poor writing; weaknesses in the articulation of research design and methods; or under (or over) selling the intellectual contribution or societal impacts. Every funder has different priorities and processes, and understanding the benchmarks and evaluation mechanisms is vital for success.
What I offer
There are absolutely no guarantees of success in this environment, but what I can do is strengthen proposals by: a) provoke and challenge on the idea and methods; b) detailed reading and reviewing; and c) insulating as far as possible from potential criticisms. I can advise on finding the correct funding scheme and provide detailed funder intelligence for major funders.
Work with me
I can offer a range of services in this space, including delivering training/workshops, strategic and tactical advice, and 1:1 intensive support. Contact me by email to arrange an initial meeting to discuss your needs.
Greg Morgan 