Hooray, you are selected for an interview on your research proposal! This is a huge step, as it means that the evaluating committee likes your ideas and you’re still in the running to obtain funding. At the same time, you’re not quite there yet, and a lot will depend on how you perform during the interview. We understand this is very – very – stressful.
Know your audience! This is a key rule in any writing, and grant writing is no exception. Writing your grant proposal tailored to your audience becomes especially challenging when there are different types of readers that will evaluate your work. How to make sure all types of readers understand and, more importantly, value your plans?
Receiving evaluation reports for proposals that didn’t make the cut to get funded can be quite frustrating. Like with reviewer comments, evaluations from the grant committee can come across as unfair, uninformed, or just (too) harsh. Still, there often are important clues in these reports to be able to improve your next grant proposal.
For some funding schemes, applicants have the opportunity to write a rebuttal to the initial reviews of the proposal. Although some of the comments you receive may be unfair, irrelevant, or plain stupid, it’s your job to write a rebuttal that respectfully addresses reviewers’ comments.
Many mid-career researchers question whether they should apply for a VIDI or an ERC Starting grant. There are some differences to consider. And, when you decide to go for both, you should be a planning rockstar.
