How did the idea for such a workshop come to be?
We know from experience that developing a proposal from zero requires a specialised type of writing, and that grant applications are a genre in itself, with its own rules and constraints. We have noticed that sometimes researchers struggle with organising content and with using appropriate language and format when applying for funding. Therefore, in our team we have been offering writing support and feedback to make proposals stronger and up to standard by relying on our previous expertise in writing successful grant proposals. However, we thought that we could go one step further in sharing this expertise, and a proposal development workshop seemed the perfect format to achieve this goal! It would allow us to highlight pitfalls and share practical tips and tricks even before researchers start writing their applications.
What is the structure of a typical proposal development workshop?
Our proposal development workshop focuses on applications to Horizon Europe funding, which is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation. The workshop lasts all day and is divided into a morning session and an afternoon session. The morning session guides participants through the three main sections of an application (Excellence, Impact, and Implementation, plus budget). We explain what type of content should go in each section, how to phrase some key elements, which visual elements to use to engage the reviewers, and so on. Additionally, we provide participants with examples of successful and unsuccessful proposals, so they can compare and discuss strengths and weaknesses. In the afternoon session, we give individual feedback to participants on their drafts.
How have the proposal development workshops been received so far?
We have received very good feedback so far. Participants appreciate especially the practical exercises with successful and unsuccessful applications, where they can see first hand what good grant writing should be like.
What are the future plans?
We have made these proposal development workshops a stable part of our offer, and we run different workshops per year based on areas of expertise (Humanities & Social Sciences, Life Sciences, and Engineering) so we can deliver more tailored content. Additionally, in 2024, we will start running these workshops abroad as part of a newly-approved European project in which we are involved so… Exciting times ahead! 😊
