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Writing Tools

Grant Writing Fundamentals Workshop

Write a clearer, more persuasive grant applicationwith 12 weeks of online self-guided training
Demystify the grant writing process and learn how to write a competitive research proposal.

This online self-guided workshop is offered three times a year and is intended for scholars who are planning to submit applications to NIH agencies. The lessons and community support is valuable no matter which granting agency you’re applying to.

All are welcome to join and get a head start on your next application. Your future self will give you a high five for starting early.

Next workshop begins on October 23. Register here!

The Grant Writing Fundamentals Workshop includes

  • Six core video lessons covering planning, strategy, and writing techniques
  • Twice-monthly Q&As to answer specific questions about writing your grant
  • Bonus lessons and activities

 

mentor notes

Encourage your mentees to complete the Grant Writing Fundamentals Workshop.

Over 2,500 researchers have taken this workshop, and 98% would recommend it to a colleague.

 

SESSION CONTENT
Creating Your Grant Writing Strategy

Session 1

  • The type of prep work you should do to make your grant more competitive
  • How to use the call for applications to your advantage when writing your grant1
Planning Your Grant Writing Schedule

Session 2

  • How to break down your grant writing into chunks to combat overwhelm
  • How to plan your writing time to align with your energy/cognitive capacity
  • Why scheduling is just as important as planning
Making Your Grant More Appealing

Session 3

  • Three key grant writing principles that will improve every grant you write for the rest of your career
  • What you’re really trying to accomplish when you write a grant
  • How to make your proposal more appealing to reviewers
Making Your Grant More Memorable

Session 4

  • How (and why) to strategically frame your research
  • The Problem, Gap, Hook, Solution framework
  • Where to apply PGHS in your proposal
Under the Hood of a Grant Application

Session 5

  • The key components of most health research grant applications
  • Your implicit and explicit arguments in each section
  • A framework for identifying and addressing weaknesses in your proposal
Getting Good Feedback

Session 6

  • The types of feedback you should get on your application
  • How to ask for feedback that will be useful to you
  • How to use (or not use) the feedback you get
Meet Your Instructor

Sarah Dobson, MSc

Sarah Dobson, Research Grant Consultant, is an editor, grant writer, and writing coach based in Vancouver, BC.

Sarah has an MSc in community health from the Université de Montréal. She has worked in research management and grant facilitation in academic institutions across Canada for more than a decade.

As a grant consultant and academic editor, she consistently receives strong ratings for this workshop that has grown out of more than 18 years of experience working with clinical and translational scientists on grants and academic publications.

Over 2,500 researchers have taken this workshop, and 98% would recommend it to a colleague. Participants have praised the “fresh perspective” and specific tools, templates, and guidelines that are easy to apply to grant writing. As one writer said, “I know my content, but I struggled with communicating it. This workshop really helped me to see through my reviewer’s eyes.”

Many have been so encouraged by the online community that they finished drafts of their grants more than a month before the deadline, allowing time for internal feedback.

upcoming Grant Writing Fundamentals Workshop events [ view all events ]
December 14, 2023 | 12:00 pm (In-Person) Dr. Stephen Patrick | MCN C-2209
Newman Seminar
Grants & Funding
Faculty Life
Mentoring
Management & Leadership
Early career faculty
January 11, 2024 | 12:00 pm (In-Person) Panel | MCN C-2209
Edge Seminar
Grants & Funding
Pre/Post Doc
Early career faculty
January 22, 2024 | 1:00 pm (In-Person) Dr. Julie Bastarache | 2525 West End, Ste 1040
Grant Pacing Workshop
Grants & Funding
Early career faculty
January 24, 2024 | 1:00 pm (In-Person) Dr. Julie Bastarache | 2525 West End, Ste 1040
Grant Pacing Workshop
Grants & Funding
Early career faculty
January 25, 2024 | 12:00 pm (In-Person) Dr. Maureen Gannon | MCN C-2209
Newman Seminar
Management & Leadership
Early career faculty
February 2, 2024 | 8:00 am (In-Person) Student Life Center
Forum
Doing Research
Pre/Post Doc
Early career faculty
Mid career faculty
Senior faculty
February 5, 2024 | 1:00 pm (In-Person) Dr. Julie Bastarache | 2525 West End, Ste 1040
Grant Pacing Workshop
Grants & Funding
Early career faculty
February 8, 2024 | 9:00 am (In-Person) Dr. Julie Bastarache | 2525 West End, Ste 1040
Grant Pacing Workshop
Grants & Funding
Early career faculty
February 22, 2024 | 12:00 pm (In-Person) Dr. Mario Davidson | MCN C-2209
Edge Seminar
Communication
Teaching
Pre/Post Doc
Early career faculty
February 29, 2024 | 12:00 pm (In-Person) Panel | MCN C-2209
Newman Seminar
Faculty Life
Early career faculty
March 7, 2024 | 12:00 pm (In-Person) Chad Lightner | MCN C-2209
Edge Seminar
Newman Seminar
Grants & Funding
Writing & Publishing
Communication
Pre/Post Doc
Early career faculty
Mid career faculty
Senior faculty
April 11, 2024 | 12:00 pm (In-Person) VUMC Media Relations | MCN C-2209
Edge Seminar
Communication
Pre/Post Doc
Early career faculty
April 25, 2024 | 12:00 pm (In-Person) VUMC Finance | MCN C-2209
Newman Seminar
Grants & Funding
Early career faculty
RCR
May 2, 2024 | 12:00 pm (In-Person) Tara Helmer & Nan Kennedy | MCN C-2209
Edge Seminar
Newman Seminar
Writing & Publishing
Pre/Post Doc
Early career faculty
RCR
Learn how to write a clearer, more persuasive grant.
Testimonials
WORKING WITH MEDICAL EDITORS
for refining grants & manuscripts
Success

Assistant Professor

Department
Medicine/Hematology Oncology
Award Type
  • R56
EFS Programs Used

Clinical Instructor

Department
Medicine/Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism
Award Type
  • K23

Research Assistant Professor

Department
Radiology and Radiological Science
Award Type
  • R03

Assistant Professor

Department
Medicine/Infectious Diseases
Award Type
  • R01 Recipient



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