Applying to the ESRC: the Proposal Lifecycle Part 1: Writing the proposal

What this presentation covers The lifecycle of a standard grant proposal Overview Writing the proposal ESRC Office Checks Peer Review Assessor review The Research Grants Board Summary

The lifecycle of a standard grant proposal

Overview

Writing the proposal

ESRC Office Checks

Peer Review

Assessor review

The Research Grants Board

Summary

The lifecycle of a standard grant proposal Overview of the proposal lifecycle Writing the proposal ESRC Office Checks Peer Review Assessor review The Research Grants Board Summary

The lifecycle of a standard grant proposal

Overview of the proposal lifecycle

Writing the proposal

ESRC Office Checks

Peer Review

Assessor review

The Research Grants Board

Summary

Proposal Lifecycle: Overview Je-S ESRC Office Checks Peer Review Assessor Review Research Grants Board Good idea Decision

Proposal Lifecycle Average timeline: Small grants: 14 weeks Standard grants: 22 weeks Write Proposal Office Checks Submit via Je-S to ESRC Referee Selection Referee Comments Office Reject Referee Reject Assessor Comments Grants Board Assessor Reject Board Reject Decision Y N N N N Y Y Y Y

Average timeline:

Small grants: 14 weeks

Standard grants: 22 weeks

The lifecycle of a standard grant proposal Overview Writing the proposal ESRC Office Checks Peer Review Assessor review The Research Grants Board Summary

The lifecycle of a standard grant proposal

Overview

Writing the proposal

ESRC Office Checks

Peer Review

Assessor review

The Research Grants Board

Summary

Writing the Proposal: overview Before you begin you need to…. Know your funding source Plan the overall content and structure Consider the detailed content Check the details Identify “critical friends” who can comment on your proposal Ensure that you have met all the criteria on the proposal check-list

Before you begin you need to….

Know your funding source

Plan the overall content and structure

Consider the detailed content

Check the details

Identify “critical friends” who can comment on your proposal

Ensure that you have met all the criteria on the proposal check-list

Writing the Proposal: Know your Funding Source ESRC criteria: “Quality, Impact and Independence” Refer to ESRC research funding rules Demonstrate: Excellent research Value to potential users: not just other academic colleagues Ability to deliver research Value for money Get Je-S registration

ESRC criteria: “Quality, Impact and Independence”

Refer to ESRC research funding rules

Demonstrate:

Excellent research

Value to potential users: not just other academic colleagues

Ability to deliver research

Value for money

Get Je-S registration

Writing the Proposal: Plan the Overall Content and Structure Convey to the reader your genuine interest, understanding and enthusiasm for the work: what is the story you are telling? what is the audience? why does it matter? why now? why you?

Convey to the reader your genuine interest, understanding and enthusiasm for the work:

what is the story you are telling?

what is the audience?

why does it matter?

why now?

why you?

Writing the Proposal: Consider the Detailed Content Formulate the problem Aims & objectives Research design & methods Data collection & analysis Potential users & user engagement (not just other academic colleagues) Content: Potential difficulties Ethical considerations Bibliography Dissemination strategy Fits with guidance notes Skills & competencies

Formulate the problem

Aims & objectives

Research design & methods

Data collection & analysis

Potential users & user engagement (not just other academic colleagues)

Content:

Potential difficulties

Ethical considerations

Bibliography

Dissemination strategy

Fits with guidance notes

Skills & competencies

Writing the Proposal: Details matter! Presentation: Typeface point 12 6 side limit (12 sides if over £1m) Plain English Check spelling, grammar, readability etc Provide appropriate attachments (in addition to case for support): Justification of resources (explanation of costings) - 1 page only in addition to above References CVs - 2 pages only in addition to above Technical annex (if appropriate) - 1 page only in addition to above

Presentation:

Typeface point 12

6 side limit (12 sides if over £1m)

Plain English

Check spelling, grammar, readability etc

Provide appropriate attachments (in addition to case for support):

Justification of resources (explanation of costings) - 1 page only in addition to above

References

CVs - 2 pages only in addition to above

Technical annex (if appropriate) - 1 page only in addition to above

Writing the Proposal: Checklist Have I: established appropriate aims and objectives? provided a well thought-out research design, fully defending it against critical appraisal? considered already existing resources? given a full and detailed description of the proposed methods, including a clear and systematic approach to the analysis and/or data collection? thought about and addressed ethics? Identified potential users and thought about how to engage them? recognised and planned for all the skills and competencies required ensuring they are reflected in the proposal’s research team?

Have I:

established appropriate aims and objectives?

provided a well thought-out research design, fully defending it against critical appraisal?

considered already existing resources?

given a full and detailed description of the proposed methods, including a clear and systematic approach to the analysis and/or data collection?

thought about and addressed ethics?

Identified potential users and thought about how to engage them?

recognised and planned for all the skills and competencies required ensuring they are reflected in the proposal’s research team?