Grant writing for PhD
students, 3 credits
Att skriva forskningsanslagsansökningar för doktorander
Course information
Language of instruction: English
Course period: April-May 2025
Course structure: On campus teaching with home assignments
Recommended prerequisites
This course will be most valuable to PhD students who have already thought about a research project that requires seeking funding, but would like guidance and feedback on the writing of the proposal. One to two years of research experience, including reading and writing scientific papers, are recommended. PhD students who aim to submit a postdoctoral fellowship proposal (e.g. VR postdoc, MCSA Postdoctoral Fellowships) are encouraged to register to this course to improve their application.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the specificity of grant writing (versus other types of scientific writing)
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of the different components of a research proposal
- Clearly articulate a research question or problem in the context of grant writing
- Clearly define the research approach and methodology
- Understand a research budget and develop a suitable budget
- Design your own research proposal, ideally in the context of a real call
Learning outcomes for doctoral degree
As grant writing is an essential component of an academic career, especially for candidates who aspire to more independence such as group leaders, this course is anchored in many of the examination goals for PhD studies. For example, the students will be challenged to demonstrate familiarity with appropriate methodology for specific research questions as well as a broad background knowledge of their field of study. Importantly, a successful grant proposal builds on existing knowledge, an ability to identify the need for further knowledge, and articulate issues with scholarly precision but also using an easy language that can be understood by panel members or reviewers that are not necessarily experts in the field. More generally, grant applications are also an occasion to reflect on the role of science in society, what are our responsibilities as scientists to inform the public, but also the skills developed in writing grants are applicable to careers outside of academia, which are all important learning outcomes of PhD education.
Course contents
The naïve assumption to inexperienced academics is that scientific writing (e.g. writing a paper) can simply be transposed to grant writing. But grant writing is a very different exercise, one that requires a specific mindset to succeed. Too often, academics learn grant writing by trying–because only few courses exist, which initially results in poor success outcome. In this course, we will explain and practice what sets grant writing apart to give students both theoretical and practical experience in preparing a research proposal. We will show students how to develop a research idea into a sound research proposal, emphasizing the importance of alignment with call requirements and eligibility criteria. We will cover all aspects of a proposal, from thinking of a punchy title to preparing a well-crafted budget. Ideally, students should come prepared with their own research questions and funding opportunity, in order to use the course for writing a compelling proposal.
Instruction
The course consists in lectures and small writing workshops. There will also be a larger home assignment for writing a proposal draft. We are also considering inviting researchers at different academic levels to share their experience in grant writing.
Assessment
To pass the course, participants need to attend at least 80% of the sessions and actively participate in the course, including handing in mandatory writing assignments.
Course examiner
Aaron Vogan, aaron.vogan@ebc.uu.se
Department with main responsibility
Department of organismal biolog
Contact persons
Aaron Vogan, aaron.vogan@ebc.uu.se
Fabien Burki: fabien.burki@ebc.uu.se
Application
Submit the application for admission to: aaron.vogan@ebc.uu.se
Submit the application not later than: February 28, 2025