Tips and tricks for grant applications: the ultimate beginner's guide [St Lucia]
Research funding is crucial. Without it, there is no research. For researchers, publishing their first paper is a significant milestone, and receiving their first research grant or fellowship is a step higher. This workshop/panel session will guide you through the process of preparing a grant application. We won't just cover the technical aspects; we'll also address questions like:
- What must and should not be included in a grant application?
- What annoys assessors?
- When is the best time to apply?
- What are the most common errors?
- How to handle preliminary data issues?
- How can internal readership help?
- How to start working on the application?
- How strong does your CV need to be?
- Who should be the lead Chief Investigator (CI)?
- How to sell yourself?
- What is the role of collaborations, including with industry?
- How to search and secure funding outside of major players (ARC/NHMRC)
- And many more.
By the end of the session, you should understand:
- How a grant application should look
- Where and when to apply
- Which mistakes to avoid
- Why it's essential to work hard to secure funding
About the Presenters: Presenters are selected specialists in diverse science fields, have a demonstrated extensive history of successful grant applications and serving as members of grant review committees.
Target Audience: This workshop is ideal for late stage HDR candidates and early career researchers, especially those in the Science Faculty, who will benefit the most from the expertise of our specialist presenters. However, all are welcome to attend.
Tentative Timeline:
10.00-10.05 Opening words from moderator (A/Prof Mariusz Skwarczynski)
10.05-10.20 Rylie Moran - UQ Research Office
10.30-11.00 Dr Andrii Slonchak – Mid career researcher, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute (workshop co-organizer)
11.00-11.15 Dr Anne Sawyer – Early career researcher, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
11.15-11.30 Prof. Debra Bernhardt - ARC Laureate Fellow, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
11.30-13.00 Panel discussion, Q&A
You must attend at least 75% of the session otherwise you may be marked absent.
About Communication
Learning to communicate effectively is critical to your ability to transfer your knowledge and research, build relationships, and gain employment. As you progress in your career these skills will become more important. The ability to master verbal, non-verbal, interpersonal, and written communication will allow you to communicate with clarity and influence. ‘Effective communication’ also appears in almost every job advertisement as a skill required by employers.
Useful links
- Linked In courses (access via UQ Library login)
- Effective Communication, Better Science blog
- The Good Presentation Video: This video aims to help doctoral students (and others) improve their presentation skills. Good presentation skills are essential for students while undertaking a PhD, and in their future careers, whether in academia or elsewhere.