Grant writing is itself a science, requiring a deep understanding of the funding landscape, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to convey clear but compelling narratives. Having spent thousands of hours writing hundreds of grant proposals, and reading the resulting reviewer comments across diverse funding agencies/mechanisms, I’ve amassed a wealth of invaluable insights that can transform your grant writing process. Here are my top 5 secrets that can significantly increase your chances of securing non-dilutive funding:

Secret 1. Align Your Proposal with the Funding Agency and Mechanism-Specific Priorities

One of the most critical aspects of a successful grant proposal is its alignment with the mission, goals, and priorities of both the funding agency AND the specific funding mechanism to which you are applying. Critically, this helps ensure that you are using the proper conventions (style, content, language, etc.) that the reviewers are used to seeing, that your project is at the appropriate development stage, and that you have the necessary team in place (academic collaborators, contract research organizations [CROs] etc.) to be competitive for that agency/mechanism. By clearly tailoring your project and proposal to align with these objectives, you are dramatically increasing your chance of success.

Pro Tip: Leverage public information to equip yourself with knowledge.

To best understand the priorities of the agency and mechanism, thoroughly research the funding agency and review previous awardees for the specific mechanism you are pursuing (example: SBIR.gov has free detailed information for all SBIR/STTR awards). Armed with this information, clearly state how your project aligns with the goals of both the funding agency and mechanism throughout the proposal. Ensure that the key features of your project that particularly align with the stated priorities are repeated in multiple locations throughout the proposal.

Secret 2. Provide Clear and Measurable Objectives/Milestones

Reviewers and program staff respond most favorably to proposals that have clear, measurable, and achievable objectives. Vague or overly ambitious objectives can raise red flags. Define specific goals and detail the methods you will use to achieve them. Include quantitative metrics for measuring success and a timeline for reaching milestones.

Pro Tip: Use SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) objectives to provide a clear roadmap for your project.

Well-defined objectives demonstrate that you have a realistic and structured plan. Quantitative milestones and metrics-of-success remove any ambiguity in measuring/reporting a project’s progression success (important for securing follow-on funding!).

Secret 3. Address the Solicitation Objectives AND the Review/Evaluation Criteria

A crucial but often overlooked aspect of successful grant writing is directly addressing both the solicitation objectives AND the review criteria. Every funding opportunity comes with specific goals and criteria that the funder wants to see addressed, often listed under the “Funding Opportunity Description” or similar. These elements are complemented by a guide/specific criteria by which reviewers will evaluate the proposals and determine which projects best align with the mission of the solicitation, often listed under “Application Review/Evaluation Information” or similar.

Pro Tip: Step into the shoes of a reviewer to ensure your proposal explicitly addresses all criteria listed in the solicitation.

Clearly state how your project aligns with the specific objectives outlined in the solicitation. Break down key objectives and echo the solicitation’s language in headings, subheadings, and when detailing how your project will achieve these objectives. When drafting your proposal, periodically review it from the perspective of a reviewer, leveraging the reviewer criteria/checklist that is provided in the solicitation to ensure that you have evidence-backed responses to each of the listed requirements.

Secret 4. Write to Reviewers Outside your Field of Expertise

Grant proposals differ from other forms of scientific writing such as journal articles. Proposals are not just about compelling data; they are about telling a compelling story that resonates with the reviewers. The reviewers that are reading your proposal often come from diverse backgrounds, and not all of them will be experts in your specific field. Unless the solicitation specifically advises otherwise, it is essential to write your proposal’s narrative in a way that is accessible and engaging to all reviewers, including those who might not have a deep understanding of your subject matter.

Pro Tip: Simplify complex concepts through effective grantsmanship/figures and avoid jargon.

Strategically leverage grantsmanship flairs (bolding, underlining, italics, informative headers / subheaders) to effectively guide your reviewers through your narrative. Use tables, graphs, and other visuals to illustrate key points and make complex information more digestible. Use strategic repetition of key concepts throughout your proposal to ensure reviewers do not overlook important information (i.e., write to the “lazy” reviewer).

Secret 5. Try, Try, and Try Again

Persistence is key in the grant writing process. Data shows that resubmissions often have a higher chance of being funded than initial submissions. During a resubmission, you are equipped with reviewer critiques, and can refine and improve your proposal based on this specific feedback. Moreover, you will have a better idea of what reviewers are broadly looking for when reviewing proposals responsive to that solicitation, and can revise the framing to best address these (sometimes unwritten) evaluation criteria.

Pro Tip: Don’t be discouraged by a rejection.

Whenever a solicitation allows, use reviewer feedback to strengthen your proposal and resubmit. Carefully review and analyze the feedback from reviewers. Maintain an open mind when reading reviews - even if you disagree with the exact content of a review, scientifically “invalid” reviewer critiques offer important insights on sections/content that are likely unclear. Identify areas for improvement and address any weaknesses or gaps in your proposal. Carefully revise your proposal with the reviewer feedback in mind, strengthening key arguments, clarifying objectives, and improving methodology.

Bonus Secret. Communicate with Program Officials

Most proposers fail to realize that, for many agencies, program staff are there to help YOU! Engaging with program staff early in the process of crafting your proposal (especially critical during a resubmission) provides invaluable insights and guidance. Program staff can 1) offer key advice on whether your project aligns with the funding agency’s priorities, 2) help you understand the review process, 3) provide feedback on your proposal concept, and 4) give you insights on budget restrictions and anticipated funding paylines. Moreover, at many funding agencies, Program Officers/Program Managers have the final say on which proposals get funded - establishing a good relationship with them can make all the difference in a proposal being funded or passed over during this final stage of the post-submission funding process.

Conclusion

Securing grant funding is a highly competitive process, but with the right approach, you can significantly improve your chances of success. Leverage the top 5 secrets to successful grant writing and more using our professional insights at GrantScout! Share these tips with your network and start enhancing your grant writing process today.

For more expert tips and personalized assistance, visit our website or contact us directly. At GrantScout, we are committed to helping you secure the funding you need to drive your projects forward.