Crafting a compelling narrative: editing strategies for your health research Horizon Europe grant

You are a talented health or biomedical researcher with a groundbreaking idea that could change the game in your field.

You know it's important, you know it's valid, but somehow, when it comes to writing grant applications, even with all the knowledge and expertise in your field, you struggle to convey your proposal in a way that sounds appealing and interesting to grant reviewers.

Your writing may come off as boring or overly complex, and as a result, you are missing out on funding opportunities.

And you are tired of submitting research grant proposals that seem to get lost in the process.

Does this resonate with you?

I know that grant writing can be a challenging endeavor, with high competition and strict guidelines to follow. However, there are strategies that could make this endeavor doable. Focusing on improving the fluidity and readability of your proposal is one of these and it can greatly increase your chances of success.

In this blog post, I will delve into this topic and share some actionable strategies to help you increase the fluidity and readability of your grant applications.

The importance of revising and editing

If you know me, you know that I am a direct person who gets right to the point without sugarcoating the facts.

If the answer to my previous question is yes, and it feels like the above paragraph is exactly describing you and your problem right now, there are two issues that you need to acknowledge, and accept:

1. the scientific solidity of your research idea is the core of your grant application, and it represents the basis, but it is not enough. Your brilliant ideas will not be appreciated if they are presented and communicated the wrong way.
2. writing grant applications is an art form that requires both skills and practice. This means that the more you write, the more you understand how to do it efficaciously and effectively. You can not expect from yourself that you hit the highest mark in your first attempt.

As a senior consultant with 20 years of experience in grant writing in the EU framework programmes, I have had the privilege of working with countless health and biomedical researchers like you. I have seen firsthand the effort and dedication that goes into crafting a compelling research proposal.

However, I have also observed that the crucial step of revising and editing the application before submission is often overlooked, despite its importance.

You know that final phase before you submit your application in which you are supposed to read through the application all at once, cut any excess words or phrases that can make your writing sound boring or wordy, make sure that there is coherency among the different sections and ensure your grammar and punctuation are flawless?

Yes, right, you have skipped it, and a few hours before the deadline you are still creating new contents.

You probably planned it, but then the schedule has shifted from week to week, you have accumulated delays, the budget is still not ready, the summary is still waiting for your attention and you thought that the only way possible to submit within the deadline is skipping the final revision.

I am aware of the mix of feelings coming in the midst of finalizing your research grant application. I hear your inner voice saying: “Uhm, if I would add this last sentence or paragraph, maybe the reviewer will be impressed”. “Maybe something is still missing”, “Maybe what I have done so far is not enough”

I know that feeling, but at some point silence that voice and take the time to read again and optimise what you have done so far, instead of producing brand new contents.

If the submission is just in a few hours, this is not the blog post for you, but I still have some strategies for you to perform your last minute checks.

If, instead, you have at least a couple of days to go through your proposal, go ahead in the reading, as in the following sections, I will delve into a series of actionable strategies that will help you improve the clarity and efficacy of your research grant application.

Putting yourself in the reviewer's shoes

It's understandable that at this stage, you may feel a strong attachment to the proposal you have poured your heart and soul into.

However, taking the time to step back and critically review your application can make all the difference in securing the funding you need to bring your research to life. The key to enhancing the clarity and efficacy of your research grant application lies in your ability to shift your perspective.

Instead of viewing the proposal through the lens of the researcher who has lived and breathed the project, try to imagine yourself as the reviewer who will be reading it for the first time.

These reviewers have not been privy to the discussions and details that have shaped your proposal. The reviewers has not been with you in alle the meetings, has not shared with you the reasoning on the individual sections and paragraphs. The reviewer only has the information that ends up on paper. And I assure you that very often what ends up on paper is only part of the story. A lot is taken for granted and should not.

Actionable strategies

As promised, here are 5 tips to help you make your research grant proposal stand out from the competition:

1. Keep your language concise and to the point

Grant reviewers are busy people who have to evaluate numerous proposals at a time. Moreover, it is important to remember that grant reviewers are individuals like you, not mythical creatures with all the answers.

To facilitate their evaluation process, you should strive to communicate your main points in a clear and easily digestible and accessible manner, to make it easy for them to understand and connect with your proposal. This is key to grabbing their attention and keep it for the entire lenght of the proposal.

When writing your application, aim for clarity by using clear and concise language to convey your ideas effectively. Avoid using unnecessarily complicated words or phrases that might make your writing difficult to understand. Avoid unnecessary jargon and specialized terminology that may only be familiar to a select few. Instead, simplify your language, elucidate complex ideas, and present information in a straightforward and succinct manner.

2. Maintain a coherent narrative

Make sure there is a logical flow to your proposal, with clear transitions between sections. Each section should seamlessly lead to the next, creating a coherent storyline. This will help reviewers follow your argument and understand your research proposal more easily.

3. Use subheadings

Even though application templates already provide a precise structure with mandatory headings to respect, you can always further break up your proposal with descriptive and keyword-rich subheadings that capture the essence of each section. This way you can create a roadmap that enhances the overall flow and organization of your proposal, make it easier for reviewers to navigate through your proposal and make it more visually appealing.

4. Use bullet points and lists

Instead of long paragraphs, use bullet points and lists to highlight key information, such as objectives, methodologies, and expected outcomes. This will help draw attention to important points and make your proposal more engaging.

5. Engaging with visuals and graphics

As I said before, when writing a research grant proposal, the content is crucial, but how it is presented can make all the difference. Consider incorporating tables, graphs, charts or images to visually represent complex data. This will aid the reviewer in the understanding and retention of information. However, be mindful not to overload your proposal with excessive visuals that may distract from the content.

Visuals and graphics should be used strategically to enhance your proposal's clarity and impact. They should not overshadow or replace the written content but rather work in tandem with it to create a compelling narrative that captures the attention of grant reviewers.

Conclusion

Writing a successful grant application requires putting in the time and effort to craft a clear and compelling document. Before the submission, take a step back from your proposal and don’t forget to edit and revise your work. By following these practical tips, you can increase the readability and fluidity of your grant application while maintaining the quality of your content. Don't be discouraged if it takes some practice to perfect your writing skills. With these strategies and a little perseverance, you can master the art of grant writing and successfully secure the funding you need to achieve your research dreams.

Image by Hannah Wei on Unsplash