Grant writing for medical and healthcare professionals

Description

Conducting research requires resources to meet the research need. The resources in the research institutes/ centers are often inadequate, limiting the research outcome. Research grants help overcome those limitations and help the researchers carry out quality research without any restriction. Grant proposal writing is an essential skill to be mastered by every researcher. However, the majority of the medical schools, except the few research institutes, do not have a structured learning module for obtaining grants. On most occasions, the skill of writing grant proposals goes by self-learning. For students, it is burdening due to the tremendous time consumed to learn the craft of writing the grant proposal and the exhausting clinical and academic work.  This book is carefully prepared to keep in mind the difficulties faced by the young researchers and the students concerning choosing a funding agency, grant makers' expectations, budgeting, surveillance and site visits, rights of the researcher and the funding agency, and ethical and legal aspects of obtaining the grant. The book also covers the alternate plan for partial funding or interruption of the financing, reporting the source of funding and acknowledgment, good clinical practice guidelines, and dealing with the rejected grant proposal. The research projects are often dropped or modified extensively due to the limited resources in the existing facility. The researchers are forced to compromise the research objective due to expensive requirements. There is a shortage of awareness regarding the availability of funding and grant for the conduct of research. Even if the researchers are aware of obtaining the financing, there is a lack of training in grant proposal writing, which is essential in getting the research funding.  This book on grant proposal writing for medical and healthcare professionals covers such difficulties and deficiencies. It will provide complete companionship from knowing the funding agency to obtaining the grant.   Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Contents Editors and Contributors Part I: Understanding Grant Writing 1: What Is Your Aim (Ambition-Interest-Mission), and What You Want to Do? 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Roles of a Medical Teacher 1.2.1 Medical Teacher: Academics 1.2.2 Medical Teacher: Patient Care 1.2.3 Medical Teacher: Research 1.3 Role of Research in Improving Academics 1.4 Role of Research in Improving Patient Care 1.5 Research and Professional Growth 1.6 Research Grants 1.7 Conclusion References 2: What Is a Grant? How to Prepare a Grant Proposal Application 2.1 What is a Grant? 2.2 Types of Grants in Academic Medical Institutions 2.3 Importance of Obtaining a Grant 2.4 How to Prepare for Writing a Grant Proposal Application 2.5 Conclusion References 3: Funders´ Perspective: What the Funding Body Expects from Researchers? 3.1 Funding Agencies are Looking for Good Proposals-They Want to Fund Research 3.2 Funding Agencies Have Different Grant Cycles-Keep a Track of Them 3.3 Write the Application in the Format That the Funder Wants to Read-Keep the Writing Simple and Organized 3.4 Provide Clear Objectives of the Study 3.5 Present the Latest Scenario in the Proposed Field of Research-and Why Your Research Should be Funded Over Others 3.6 Provide Preliminary Data if Possible 3.7 Provide Clear Methodology-Show That You Know What to Do and How to Do 3.8 Show the Plan for Data Collection, Analysis, and Sharing 3.9 Provide Realistic Timelines and Goals 3.10 State the Impact of the Study 3.11 Ask the Funders for What you Need-Know How Much they can Give 3.12 Public Outreach Activities 3.13 Cite Appropriate References 3.14 Check for Plagiarism Score 3.15 Choose the Right Co-investigators and Collaborators 3.16 Choose the Right Host Institution 3.17 Provide Genuine Letters of Support 3.18 Learn from the Rejections-Try Again 3.19 Acknowledging the Funding Body in the Publications 3.20 Conclusion References 4: Funding Organizations for Science and Health Care 4.1 Introduction 4.2 How Do Funding Agencies Facilitate or Hinder Research Progress? 4.3 How Do You Get Funding for Research? 4.4 What are the Types of Research Funding? 4.5 Information Regarding Various Funding Agencies (National and International Agencies) 4.5.1 Status of Research Funding in India 4.5.1.1 Department of Science and Technology (DST) 4.5.1.2 SERB (Science and Engineering Research Board) 4.5.1.3 Department of Biotechnology (DBT) 4.5.1.4 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) 4.5.1.5 Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) 4.5.1.6 Ayush 4.6 How to Write a Budget Proposal? 4.7 Evaluation Process and Measurement of Efficiency for Research Funding 4.7.1 Evaluation Process 4.7.2 Monitoring and Efficiency of Funding 4.8 Conclusion References 5: Obtaining Letters of Support 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Letters of Support-What are They? 5.3 Who can Provide a Letter of Support? 5.4 Applying for a Letter of Support 5.4.1 Identify the Providers of the Letters 5.4.2 Meeting with the Providers of the Letters 5.4.3 Requisition for the Letter of Support 5.5 Components of a Letter of Support 5.6 Letter of Support vs Memorandum of Understanding 5.7 Significance of a Letter of Support 5.8 Conclusion References Part II: The Process for Grant Writing 6: Writing a Grant Proposal for a Single Centre Study: Step-by-Step Approach 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Responding to a Call for Funding 6.2.1 Steps in Responding to a Funding Call 6.2.2 Types of Projects that can be Supported by the Funding Agencies (Fig. 6.2) 6.3 Steps in Preparing the Grant Proposal 6.4 Standard Elements of a Grant Proposal 6.4.1 General Information 6.4.2 Details of the Research Project 6.4.3 Timeline of the Project 6.4.4 Budgeting for a Grant 6.4.4.1 Steps in Preparing a Budget for a Grant 6.4.4.2 Typical Categories for Preparing a Budget are as Follows 6.5 Documents to be Submitted with Grant Application 6.6 After Submission 6.7 If At First You Don´t Succeed... 6.8 Carry Out the Project 6.9 Submit a Report to the Funding Agency 6.10 Things to Keep in Mind While Writing a Grant 6.11 Conclusion References 7: Budgeting the Project: Detailing the Required Funding and Expenditure 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Main Types of Project Costs 7.3 Components of Project Budget 7.4 Detailing the Required Funding and Expenditure with Justification 7.4.1 Sample Budget-1: Budget Justifications and Sample Calculation (Table 7.1) 7.4.2 Sample Budget-2: Budget Justifications and Sample Calculation (Table 7.2) 7.5 Conclusion References 8: Proving the Competency of the Researcher and the Adequacy of the Infrastructure to Carry Out the Research 8.1 Good Researcher 8.2 Competencies of a Researcher 8.3 Providing the Competencies for the Researcher 8.3.1 The Role of an Organization 8.3.2 The Role of a Researcher 8.4 The Need for Research Infrastructure 8.5 Research Infrastructure 8.5.1 Common Challenges [11] 8.6 Models to Assess the Impact of Implemented Research Infrastructure 8.6.1 Exhortations for Achieving High Yield Research 8.7 Conclusion References 9: Agreement and MOU: Ethical and Legal Aspects of Funding for Healthcare Research 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Health Services Research (HSR) Funding: Ethical and Legal Aspects 9.3 MoUs, Agreements 9.4 Types of Agreements in Biomedical Research (Alternate Modalities to Agreements and MoUs) 9.5 The Distinction Between Agreements and MoUs 9.6 Points to be Remembered While Drafting an Agreement or MoU: from the Viewpoint of Funding Research 9.7 Reflection on the Ethical and Legal Aspects of Funding Healthcare Research in the Drafting of MoUs and Agreements 9.8 The Ethical and Legal Aspects of Funding Research in Health Care 9.9 The Basic Structure of Ethical Consideration of Funding for Research in Health Care 9.10 Case Studies with Reference to Ethical and Legal Aspects of Funded Research [15-17] 9.11 Ethical and Legal Considerations in Funded Research, with Reference to the Above-Cited Case Studies 9.12 Conclusion References 10: Writing an Impressive Cover Page (Covering Letter) and Abstract for Grant Proposal Application 10.1 Introduction: The Need for Cover Letter and Abstract 10.2 How to Compose a Cover Letter for a Grant Proposal? 10.2.1 Salient Features of Cover Letter 10.2.2 Make Grant Proposal the Soul of Cover Letter 10.2.3 Cover Letter Needs Due Attention: Not A Simple Exercise 10.2.3.1 Here is How to Compose A Cover Letter 10.2.3.2 Framing the Cover Letter to Seek Attention of Reader 10.2.4 Key Information and Features of Cover Letter 10.2.5 Main Highlights of Cover Letter 10.2.6 Concluding Formatting the Cover Letter 10.2.6.1 Tips and Mistakes to Avoid Once Writing a Cover Letter 10.2.6.2 The Format of the Letter 10.2.7 The Significant Aspect of Cover Letter can be Summarised in a Few Significant Facts 10.3 Abstract for Grant Proposal 10.3.1 Significance of Abstract 10.3.2 Salient Features of How to Write an Abstract 10.3.3 Consider the Essential Project Elements and Norms of Application 10.4 Conclusion References 11: Surveillance Plan and Site Visit: Roles and Rights of the Researcher and the Funding Agency 11.1 Introduction 11.2 What Would Be Evaluated in a Site Visit? 11.2.1 Initial Visit (Before Funding) 11.2.2 Surveillance Visit (During the Conduct of the Project) 11.3 Role of the Researcher. How to Prepare for a Site/Surveillance Visit? 11.3.1 Before the Visit 11.3.2 During the Visit 11.3.2.1 Documents 11.3.2.2 Presentation 11.3.2.3 Site Tour 11.3.2.4 Surveillance Visit 11.4 Rights of the Researcher 11.5 Role of the Funding Agency 11.6 Other Forms of Monitoring 11.6.1 Remote Monitoring 11.6.2 Centralized Monitoring 11.6.3 Reverse Site Visit 11.7 Conclusion References 12: Sources of Funding and Acknowledgement: Good Clinical Practice Guidelines 12.1 Reporting Sources of Funding 12.1.1 Overview 12.1.2 Expressing Gratitude 12.1.3 Reporting Sources of Funding: Why It Is Important? 12.1.4 Good Clinical Practice Guidelines: What Does It Say About Sources of Funding? 12.1.5 Funder Registry 12.1.6 Reporting Sources of Funding: Structure and Content Example 1 (Author´s statement version and single source): Example 2 (Neutral statement version and more than one source) Example 3 (First-person version) 12.1.7 Reporting Sources of Funding: Special Mention Example Example (First-person version, single source, more than one grant) 12.1.8 Reporting Sources of Funding: Some Cautions 12.2 Writing Acknowledgements 12.2.1 Overview 12.2.2 Acknowledgements: Whom to Choose? Box 12.1: Criteria for acknowledgements 12.2.3 Acknowledgements: Structure and Content 12.2.4 Acknowledgements: Examples 12.3 Conclusion References 13: Writing a Grant Proposal for a Collaborative Study 13.1 Introduction 13.2 What Areas in Planning a Collaborative Grant Proposal Warrant Attention? 13.2.1 Communication 13.2.2 Decisions on Principal, Co-, and Other Investigators 13.2.3 Decisions on the Governance of the Project 13.2.4 Authorship in Publications Ensuing from the Research 13.2.5 Intellectual Property 13.2.6 Funding Arrangements 13.3 Writing the Actual Proposal 13.4 Conclusion References 14: Checklist for Grant Proposal: Mandatory Elements 14.1 Essential Elements for Grant Writing Application 14.2 Tips for Key Elements of a Successful Grant Proposal Application 14.3 Conclusion References 15: Tips for Improvising the Chance of Getting the Grant 15.1 Introduction 15.2 Focus Your Area of Research Work 15.3 Continuity of Research Questions 15.4 Clarity of Research Hypothesis and Innovative Thought 15.5 Title of the Proposal 15.6 Focus on Research Methodology and Multi-disciplinary Work 15.7 Clarity of Language 15.8 Read the Guidelines for Grant Application 15.9 Being Aware of the Larger Picture from the Angle of an Investigator 15.10 Reviewer´s Angle 15.11 Fundamentals on Framing the Research Proposal 15.12 Critical Steps in Preparation of Funding Proposal 15.13 Research Proposal is Written for the Audience 15.14 Concept Proposal Development 15.15 Identification of Relevant Funding Agencies 15.16 Research the Funding Programs of the Agencies 15.17 Propose a Realistic Research Budget 15.18 Excel in All Categories 15.19 Proposal Document 15.20 Most Important Tips on Successfully Getting Funding 15.21 Conclusion References 16: Dealing with the Rejected Grant Proposal: Learning from the Mistakes 16.1 Introduction 16.2 Sources of Feedback 16.2.1 Identifying and Rectifying Common Mistakes in Writing a Grant Proposal 16.2.1.1 Study and Research Methodology Methodology 16.2.1.2 Preparing for Contingencies 16.2.1.3 Value of the Project 16.2.1.4 Existing Knowledge 16.2.1.5 Pilot Studies 16.2.2 The Application 16.2.2.1 Alignment with Guidelines 16.2.2.2 Formatting Issues 16.2.2.3 Budget Mistakes 16.2.2.4 The Proposal was not Written Clearly and Persuasively 16.2.2.5 Timing 16.2.2.6 Unrealistic Workload 16.2.3 Issues with the Applicant or Team 16.2.3.1 An Inexperienced Applicant with a Poor Track Record 16.2.3.2 Mistrust Between Funder and Applicants 16.3 Seeking Alternative Sources of Funding 16.4 Conclusion References Part III: Grant Writing for Specific Regional Funding Organizations 17: Preparing a Grant Proposal for Medical Research in the UK 17.1 Sources of Medical Research Grants in the UK 17.1.1 Government Organizations and Research Councils 17.1.1.1 Medical Research Council 17.1.1.2 National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) 17.1.1.3 Innovate UK (Technology Strategy Board) 17.1.2 Charities 17.1.2.1 Wellcome Trust 17.1.2.2 Cancer Research, UK 17.1.3 Pharmaceuticals and Industries 17.1.4 Royal Colleges 17.1.5 Medical and Surgical Societies 17.2 Applying for Grants: Writing a Successful Application 17.2.1 Preparation 17.2.2 Proposal Content and Pitching 17.3 Assessment of Grant Applications 17.4 Conclusion References 18: Preparing a Grant Proposal for the USA 18.1 Prewriting Phase 18.2 Writing Phase 18.2.1 Specific Aim/Aims 18.2.2 Research Strategy 18.2.2.1 Part A. Addressing the Scored Criteria 18.2.2.2 Part B: Addressing Each Aim in Detail 18.2.2.3 Part C: Potential Pitfalls and Limitations 18.3 Budgeting 18.4 General Instructions 18.5 Conclusion Reference 19: Preparing a Grant Proposal for Australia 19.1 Grant Proposals 19.2 Sources of Funding in Australia 19.3 Grant Applications 19.4 Research the Grant 19.5 Commonly Requested Documents 19.6 Abstract 19.7 Introduction 19.8 Discussing the Issue 19.9 Body 19.10 Concluding Part 19.11 Conclusion References 20: Proposal Writing for Grant Application in Malaysia 20.1 Introduction to Malaysia 20.1.1 Geography 20.1.2 Population and Cultures 20.1.3 Economy 20.2 Research Ecosystem in Malaysia 20.2.1 Research Expenditure 20.2.1.1 International Comparison of Research and Development (R and D) Expenditure 20.2.1.2 Overview of R and D Activities in Malaysia 20.2.1.3 Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) 20.2.2 Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP) 20.2.2.1 MOSTI´s Malaysia Grand Challenge (MGC) 10-10 Malaysian Science, Technology, Innovation, and Economy (MySTIE) Framework 20.2.2.2 MOHE´s Malaysia Greater Research Network System (MyGRANTS) 20.2.2.3 MOH´s Research Grant (MRG) 20.3 Establishing the Type of Research (and Technology Readiness Level, If Applicable) of Your Proposed Research Idea 20.3.1 Basic Research vs Applied Research vs Experimental Development 20.3.2 Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 20.3.2.1 Utilization of TRL in Malaysia Discovery Stage Determination Stage Development Stage 20.3.3 Summary of Suitable Grants Based on TRLs and Research Stage 20.4 Drafting the Proposal 20.4.1 General Requirements of a Research Proposal for Grant Application 20.4.2 Key Elements of Research Proposal According to Research Type 20.4.2.1 Research Focused on Knowledge Generation and Policy-Driven 20.4.2.2 Research with a Commercial Outcome 20.5 Case Scenarios 20.6 Responsibilities of Grant Recipient 20.7 Conclusion References 21: Grant Writing for Other Asian Countries 21.1 Introduction 21.2 Where and How to being With? 21.3 Grant Categories 21.4 Major International Funding Sources 21.5 Regional Grants Sources 21.6 Description of a Few Regional Grants Funding Sources 21.7 Conclusion References