This advice was shared by Professor Marina Botto FMedSci, Chair of the Starter Grants for Clinical Lecturers Panel.
Articulate the specific role you will play
Make sure it is absolutely clear exactly what you will be doing on the project and distinguish this from what others (your supervisor, other team members), who may be involved in the wider context of your project, will contribute.
State a clear, testable hypothesis (if applicable) and key questions
Do make clear at the beginning what you are setting out to do, and what key questions you hope to answer with this project.
Include sufficient experimental detail
Include detail of what you are proposing to do and justify your selection of analytical approaches, so that it is clear to the reviewers why you are using particular methods. Being limited by word count is no excuse for lack of clarity around your experimental approach!
Justify and support your choices.
Make it clear why you have chosen to focus on a particular sample set, group of patients or model system etc and why others may be unsuitable. Do include numbers of samples/patients/etc and make sure that these numbers are supported by power calculations (which you will show, of course).
Outline contingency plans
We know that sometimes research doesn’t go according to plan. Always show that you have thought about the possibility of having to change tack and what you might do instead, especially for high risk endeavours.
Be innovative
We are looking to support new and exciting research, so stress what makes your application unique.
Have appropriate ambition
While making your proposal innovative and exciting, do ensure that it is achievable in the timeframe and with the resources available.
Be collaborative
Do include an outline of any collaborations that will give you access to complementary expertise that will strengthen your proposal, and demonstrate that you will benefit from training during the award. You can’t be an expert in everything, and it is wise to identify your limitations and collaborate to fill those gaps.
Limit your use of abbreviations and acronyms
We understand that you will probably need to use some abbreviations and acronyms, but please do think about how the proposal will flow for a non-expert reader who may not be familiar with these terms.
Make the job of the peer reviewers as effortless as possible.
Think about your proposal from the point of view of the reviewer - what will they look for first? Have you answered all the questions?
This advice was shared by Sally Thompson, Communications Officer at the AMRC.
Answer the questions what, where, when, why and how
If your summary answers these questions then readers will have all the information they need to do their job, whether it’s making funding decisions, writing about your research on their website or drafting a press release.
Keep it short
Stick to the suggested word count and break up your text with sub headings and bullet points to make it easier to digest. You might also want to use short sentences – try to aim for 10-15 words on average.
Imagine you’re talking to the reader
An easy way to stop yourself getting bogged down in specifics is to imagine you’re speaking to someone, perhaps your grandad or your next door neighbour, about your research. Have a think about how you would describe your project to them and write in a similar style.
Get rid of any jargon
You may know what ‘oxidative phosphorylation’ means but it’s unlikely that the average lay reader will. Try to use everyday language and give simple explanations of scientific terms, for example use ‘nerves’ instead of ‘neurons’ and ‘cell death’ in the place of ‘apoptosis’.
Make it human
Use person centred language such as ‘people with breast cancer’ rather than ‘breast cancer sufferers’.
Put your research in context – how does it fit into the bigger picture?
Make sure you give the reader a bit of background, is your study trying to find out more about a certain condition or is it testing potential new treatments?
Explain the study’s impact – what are you hoping to achieve?
It may be a while before your research can have a positive impact on patients but it’s still important to explain the end goal. If the readers are reviewing grant applications they need to know how your research could make a different to patients, even if it’s a few years down the line.
Don’t shy away from mentioning animals
If your study has involved animals then be honest about it. Make sure to state the type of animal you used and avoid phrases such as ‘animal model’.
Don’t oversimplify your research
There’s a fine line between making your research understandable and oversimplifying it to the point where the reader finds out nothing from your summary. Remember, lay readers are a mixed group and some members will be highly knowledgeable about your area of interest.
Get a colleague and a non scientist to read it
This is really important, your colleague will be able to tell you if the science is correct, whilst a friend or relative without a scientific background can tell you whether it reads well and really explains your research goals. If they still have questions after reading it then you may want to add in more detail.
This advice was shared by Professor Marina Botto FMedSci, Chair of the Starter Grants for Clinical Lecturers Panel.
Consider your audience
Be it a grant panel or a meeting audience, you’re likely to be addressing a multidisciplinary group. Do tailor your pitch to the level of expertise in the room but make sure it’s understandable to everyone present.
Get everyone hooked
Aim to catch everyone’s attention, not just that of those already interested in your research area. Start off with a compelling hook that bridges the gap between experiences everyone in your audience can relate to and your research.
Keep it simple – what, why and how?
Your day-to-day research involves a lot of thinking about the finer details but take a step back and consider the essence of your research. Don’t distract your audience with technical details, caveats or contingency plans; they’ll ask you about these if they want to know more.
Think about the bigger picture
Convey the significance of your research by putting its outcomes into context. Tell your audience what you have found, or anticipate you’ll find, and how this knowledge contributes to your field and to wider society. Remember to be realistic and use positive language.
Stand out from the crowd
Research is a collaborative effort but it’s important to show what you bring to the equation. Highlight what makes your research unique and articulate your role within team efforts.
Make it personal
Further to finding out about what you do, or plan to do, your audience will want to get a feel for who you are. Don’t forget to mention what interests you and how that drives and shapes your research.
Hold back on the jargon
Don’t expect your audience to be versed in the jargon of your field. Explaining technical terms takes time so use lay terms whenever possible to efficiently convey your message.
Visual aids - less is more
Do make use of visual aids if these are permitted but remember that these should support and enhance what you’re saying, not compete for your audience’s attention. Avoid clutter and redundant information.
Give yourself room to breathe
A rushed presentation is harder to understand so be concise. If there’s a time limit, stick to it – it’s better to go under time than over time.
Practice makes perfect
Rehearse your pitch with both peers and non-experts – your colleagues can comment on the science and your family and friends will tell you if it’s clear and engaging. Competitions such as the ‘Research in 3’ at our Winter Science Meeting for Starter Grant Holders are a great way to hone your skills so don’t hesitate to take part!