How to prepare successful grant proposals: Training for Postdocs
© 2023 EPFL
The EPFL Research Office offers two complementary trainings focused on the theory and practice of grant writing.
No matter the career stage, securing external funding is crucial for researchers to be able to explore new ideas and advance their careers. Proposal writing is both an art and a science, and as such, it can be taught and learned.
Theory training: Writing tips
A one-off presentation of the theory behind the preparation of successful proposals. This course will teach participants where to look for appropriate fellowship and research funding opportunities, and how to prepare the different sections of a research proposal.
When: September 25 2023, 12-3pm.
Access: Online only.
Writing tips lecture registration(deadline September 18)
Practice training: Writing Clinic
The clinic provides a constructive environment for participants to write their own full proposal, ready for submission. With 4 discussion sessions spread over 6 weeks, participants will write and develop their proposal, and provide feedback to each other.
Practice writing is a key step in strengthening writing skills, as is reading and reviewing the work of others. Therefore, Postdocs will write and receive critical feedback on their proposal excerpts before rewriting them based on these constructive criticisms and suggestions. They will also gain an understanding of how proposals are being assessed by funders and hone their proposal writing skills through peer review exercises.
Each session will include a confidential, peer review exercise done in small groups. The exercise will be based on written assignments tailored to the guidelines of the funding scheme of interest:
Session 1: Significance, objectives, and hypotheses
Session 2: Title, abstract, introduction
Session 3: Experimental design, timeline, broader impacts
Session 4: Budget, host institution, career plan, CV
When: August 31, September 14, 28, October 12, around lunch time.
Access: Limited to 24 participants only! In person on the Lausanne campus (exceptions for off-campus members)
Writing clinic registration (deadline August 14).
Interested? Please register for either or both trainings, with the links provided above!
This course is provided by the EPFL Research Office - a team of scientists, grant writers and funding specialists dedicated to the success of EPFL researchers.
Any questions can be directed to the EPFL Research Office through its generic email address.