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How to Write an Abstract | Steps & Examples

Published on February 28, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 18, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

An abstract is a short summary of a longer work (such as a thesis ,  dissertation or research paper ). The abstract concisely reports the aims and outcomes of your research, so that readers know exactly what your paper is about.

Although the structure may vary slightly depending on your discipline, your abstract should describe the purpose of your work, the methods you’ve used, and the conclusions you’ve drawn.

One common way to structure your abstract is to use the IMRaD structure. This stands for:

• Introduction

Abstracts are usually around 100–300 words, but there’s often a strict word limit, so make sure to check the relevant requirements.

In a dissertation or thesis , include the abstract on a separate page, after the title page and acknowledgements but before the table of contents .

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Table of contents

Abstract example, when to write an abstract, step 1: introduction, step 2: methods, step 3: results, step 4: discussion, tips for writing an abstract, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about abstracts.

Hover over the different parts of the abstract to see how it is constructed.

This paper examines the role of silent movies as a mode of shared experience in the US during the early twentieth century. At this time, high immigration rates resulted in a significant percentage of non-English-speaking citizens. These immigrants faced numerous economic and social obstacles, including exclusion from public entertainment and modes of discourse (newspapers, theater, radio).

Incorporating evidence from reviews, personal correspondence, and diaries, this study demonstrates that silent films were an affordable and inclusive source of entertainment. It argues for the accessible economic and representational nature of early cinema. These concerns are particularly evident in the low price of admission and in the democratic nature of the actors’ exaggerated gestures, which allowed the plots and action to be easily grasped by a diverse audience despite language barriers.

Keywords: silent movies, immigration, public discourse, entertainment, early cinema, language barriers.

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You will almost always have to include an abstract when:

• Completing a thesis or dissertation
• Submitting a research paper to an academic journal
• Writing a book or research proposal
• Applying for research grants

It’s easiest to write your abstract last, right before the proofreading stage, because it’s a summary of the work you’ve already done. Your abstract should:

• Be a self-contained text, not an excerpt from your paper
• Be fully understandable on its own
• Reflect the structure of your larger work

Start by clearly defining the purpose of your research. What practical or theoretical problem does the research respond to, or what research question did you aim to answer?

You can include some brief context on the social or academic relevance of your dissertation topic , but don’t go into detailed background information. If your abstract uses specialized terms that would be unfamiliar to the average academic reader or that have various different meanings, give a concise definition.

After identifying the problem, state the objective of your research. Use verbs like “investigate,” “test,” “analyze,” or “evaluate” to describe exactly what you set out to do.

This part of the abstract can be written in the present or past simple tense  but should never refer to the future, as the research is already complete.

• This study will investigate the relationship between coffee consumption and productivity.
• This study investigates the relationship between coffee consumption and productivity.

Next, indicate the research methods that you used to answer your question. This part should be a straightforward description of what you did in one or two sentences. It is usually written in the past simple tense, as it refers to completed actions.

• Structured interviews will be conducted with 25 participants.
• Structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants.

Don’t evaluate validity or obstacles here — the goal is not to give an account of the methodology’s strengths and weaknesses, but to give the reader a quick insight into the overall approach and procedures you used.

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Next, summarize the main research results . This part of the abstract can be in the present or past simple tense.

• Our analysis has shown a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.
• Our analysis shows a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.
• Our analysis showed a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.

Depending on how long and complex your research is, you may not be able to include all results here. Try to highlight only the most important findings that will allow the reader to understand your conclusions.

Finally, you should discuss the main conclusions of your research : what is your answer to the problem or question? The reader should finish with a clear understanding of the central point that your research has proved or argued. Conclusions are usually written in the present simple tense.

• We concluded that coffee consumption increases productivity.
• We conclude that coffee consumption increases productivity.

If there are important limitations to your research (for example, related to your sample size or methods), you should mention them briefly in the abstract. This allows the reader to accurately assess the credibility and generalizability of your research.

If your aim was to solve a practical problem, your discussion might include recommendations for implementation. If relevant, you can briefly make suggestions for further research.

If your paper will be published, you might have to add a list of keywords at the end of the abstract. These keywords should reference the most important elements of the research to help potential readers find your paper during their own literature searches.

Be aware that some publication manuals, such as APA Style , have specific formatting requirements for these keywords.

It can be a real challenge to condense your whole work into just a couple of hundred words, but the abstract will be the first (and sometimes only) part that people read, so it’s important to get it right. These strategies can help you get started.

Read other abstracts

The best way to learn the conventions of writing an abstract in your discipline is to read other people’s. You probably already read lots of journal article abstracts while conducting your literature review —try using them as a framework for structure and style.

You can also find lots of dissertation abstract examples in thesis and dissertation databases .

Reverse outline

Not all abstracts will contain precisely the same elements. For longer works, you can write your abstract through a process of reverse outlining.

For each chapter or section, list keywords and draft one to two sentences that summarize the central point or argument. This will give you a framework of your abstract’s structure. Next, revise the sentences to make connections and show how the argument develops.

Write clearly and concisely

A good abstract is short but impactful, so make sure every word counts. Each sentence should clearly communicate one main point.

To keep your abstract or summary short and clear:

• Avoid passive sentences: Passive constructions are often unnecessarily long. You can easily make them shorter and clearer by using the active voice.
• Avoid long sentences: Substitute longer expressions for concise expressions or single words (e.g., “In order to” for “To”).
• Avoid obscure jargon: The abstract should be understandable to readers who are not familiar with your topic.
• Avoid repetition and filler words: Replace nouns with pronouns when possible and eliminate unnecessary words.
• Avoid detailed descriptions: An abstract is not expected to provide detailed definitions, background information, or discussions of other scholars’ work. Instead, include this information in the body of your thesis or paper.

If you’re struggling to edit down to the required length, you can get help from expert editors with Scribbr’s professional proofreading services or use the paraphrasing tool .

Check your formatting

If you are writing a thesis or dissertation or submitting to a journal, there are often specific formatting requirements for the abstract—make sure to check the guidelines and format your work correctly. For APA research papers you can follow the APA abstract format .

Checklist: Abstract

The word count is within the required length, or a maximum of one page.

The abstract appears after the title page and acknowledgements and before the table of contents .

I have clearly stated my research problem and objectives.

I have briefly described my methodology .

I have summarized the most important results .

I have stated my main conclusions .

I have mentioned any important limitations and recommendations.

The abstract can be understood by someone without prior knowledge of the topic.

You've written a great abstract! Use the other checklists to continue improving your thesis or dissertation.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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An abstract is a concise summary of an academic text (such as a journal article or dissertation ). It serves two main purposes:

• To help potential readers determine the relevance of your paper for their own research.
• To communicate your key findings to those who don’t have time to read the whole paper.

Abstracts are often indexed along with keywords on academic databases, so they make your work more easily findable. Since the abstract is the first thing any reader sees, it’s important that it clearly and accurately summarizes the contents of your paper.

An abstract for a thesis or dissertation is usually around 200–300 words. There’s often a strict word limit, so make sure to check your university’s requirements.

The abstract is the very last thing you write. You should only write it after your research is complete, so that you can accurately summarize the entirety of your thesis , dissertation or research paper .

Avoid citing sources in your abstract . There are two reasons for this:

• The abstract should focus on your original research, not on the work of others.
• The abstract should be self-contained and fully understandable without reference to other sources.

There are some circumstances where you might need to mention other sources in an abstract: for example, if your research responds directly to another study or focuses on the work of a single theorist. In general, though, don’t include citations unless absolutely necessary.

The abstract appears on its own page in the thesis or dissertation , after the title page and acknowledgements but before the table of contents .

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Research Tips and Infromation

How to Write Effective Research Grant Proposal Abstract?

Introduction

Research methodology and approach, key findings or results, significance and potential impact of the proposed research, title: developing a deep learning model for computer vision-based gesture recognition, phrasal verbs that can be used to write an effective research grant proposal, how long should a research grant proposal abstract be.

• "Significance and potential impact" Section of a Research Grant Proposal Abstract?

Common Mistakes to Avoid when Writing a Research Grant Proposal Abstract

How can i make my research grant proposal abstract stand out, tailoring your research grant proposal abstract for a specific funding agency, difference between a research grant proposal abstract and a research paper abstract, feedback on my research grant proposal abstract.

A research grant proposal abstract is a brief summary of a research proposal that provides an overview of the proposed project’s objectives, methods, results, and potential impact. It is often the first part of the proposal that reviewers will read and serves as a key factor in determining whether a grant proposal is accepted or rejected.

Writing a clear and concise abstract is important because it helps reviewers quickly and easily understand the proposed research project’s main objectives, approach, and potential impact. A well-written abstract can also help to catch the attention of reviewers and encourage them to read the full proposal, increasing the chances of funding success.

Components of a Research Grant Proposal Abstract

The research question or problem should be clearly and succinctly stated in the abstract, providing the reader with a clear understanding of the scope and purpose of the proposed research. This description should highlight the novelty, importance, or relevance of the research question.

For example: “This research proposal aims to investigate the relationship between physical activity and mental health outcomes in adolescents with a focus on exploring the role of community-based interventions.”

The abstract should provide a brief description of the research methodology and approach, highlighting the key elements of the proposed research design. This section should provide enough information to help the reader understand the proposed research methodology and approach.

For example: “The proposed study will utilize a mixed-methods approach, consisting of a randomized controlled trial and qualitative interviews to explore the impact of a community-based physical activity program on mental health outcomes in adolescents.”

If the research proposal involves a pilot study or preliminary data, the abstract may summarize the key findings or results. This summary should be brief and provide an overview of the expected outcomes or results of the proposed research.

For example: “Preliminary data from a small pilot study suggests that community-based physical activity interventions may be effective in improving mental health outcomes in adolescents. The proposed study aims to build upon these findings to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of such interventions.”

The abstract should conclude with a brief explanation of the significance and potential impact of the proposed research. This section should highlight the potential contributions of the proposed research to the research field and its broader implications for society.

For example: “This research has the potential to inform the development of community-based physical activity interventions for adolescents, with implications for improving mental health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. Additionally, this study may inform policies related to physical activity and mental health in adolescents.”

Tips for Writing an Effective Research Grant Proposal Abstract

Keep the abstract clear, concise, and specific: The abstract should be written in a clear and concise manner, avoiding unnecessary detail or repetition. The language should be specific and focused on the key elements of the proposed research.

Use plain language and avoid technical jargon: The abstract should be written in plain language, avoiding complex technical terminology that may be difficult for readers outside of the field to understand. Technical terms should be defined and explained in simple language.

Focus on the most important aspects of the research proposal : The abstract should focus on the most important elements of the proposed research project, including the research question or problem, methodology, and potential impact. Other details that are not essential to the understanding of the proposed research can be left out of the abstract.

Highlight the unique contributions of the proposed research : The abstract should emphasize the unique contributions of the proposed research, highlighting what sets it apart from other research projects in the field. This can include innovative methodologies, novel research questions, or the potential to fill gaps in the existing research.

Emphasize the potential benefits to society or the research field: The abstract should emphasize the potential benefits of the proposed research to society or the research field, including its potential impact on public health, policy, or clinical practice. This can help to make the research proposal more compelling to funders.

Be sure to follow any specific guidelines or requirements for the grant proposal abstract: The abstract should be written in accordance with any specific guidelines or requirements provided by the funding agency or organization. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in rejection of the proposal.

Example of a Research Grant Proposal Abstract

Introduction: This research grant proposal abstract outlines a project to develop a deep learning model for computer vision-based gesture recognition. The proposed research addresses the growing need for more accurate and reliable gesture recognition technologies for applications in human-computer interaction, virtual reality, and robotics.

Components of a research grant proposal abstract : This research proposal will involve developing and evaluating a deep learning model that can accurately recognize and interpret hand gestures captured by a camera. The research methodology will involve collecting and analyzing data on hand gestures, training and testing the deep learning model using various algorithms and evaluating the model’s accuracy and efficiency. The key findings of the proposed research will be a deep learning model that can accurately recognize hand gestures and an understanding of the key features that are most important in training such a model. The significance and potential impact of the proposed research include improving the accuracy and reliability of gesture recognition technologies, enabling more efficient and natural human-computer interaction, and advancing the fields of virtual reality and robotics.

Here are some examples of phrasal verbs that can be used to write an effective research grant proposal abstract:

Note that these are just a few examples and there are many other phrasal verbs that can be used to effectively convey the purpose and goals of a research grant proposal.

The length of a research grant proposal abstract can vary depending on the specific guidelines provided by the funding agency or grant opportunity. In general, most research grant proposal abstracts should be around 250 to 300 words or less.

However, it’s important to follow the specific instructions provided by the funding agency, which may specify a different word limit or even a specific format or structure for the abstract. It’s important to make sure that the abstract is clear, concise, and includes all the necessary information to give a clear overview of the proposed research project.

“Significance and potential impact” Section of a Research Grant Proposal Abstract?

The “significance and potential impact” section of a research grant proposal abstract should describe why the proposed research project is important and what potential benefits it could have for society or the research field. This section should convince the funding agency that the proposed research is worth funding.

Some key points that can be included in this section are:

• The significance of the research question or problem being addressed, including any gaps in existing knowledge or areas where further research is needed.
• The potential impact of the proposed research, both in terms of advancing scientific understanding and in terms of practical applications or benefits to society.
• Any potential risks or challenges associated with the research project, and how these will be addressed.
• The broader implications of the proposed research for the research field or related fields, including any potential for future research or applications.

Overall, this section should demonstrate the importance and potential impact of the proposed research project, and why it is a worthwhile investment for the funding agency.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a research grant proposal abstract:

• Failing to follow the guidelines: It’s important to carefully read and follow the guidelines and requirements provided by the funding agency or grant opportunity. Failure to do so may result in the abstract being rejected without review.
• Being too technical or jargon-heavy: It’s important to use plain language and avoid technical jargon or acronyms that may not be familiar to a broader audience.
• Including unnecessary details: The abstract should focus on the most important aspects of the proposed research project and avoid including extraneous details or background information.
• Making unsupported claims: Any claims or assertions made in the abstract should be supported by evidence or data from the proposed research project.
• Failing to clearly articulate the significance and potential impact of the research: The abstract should clearly and convincingly explain why the proposed research project is important and what potential benefits it could have for society or the research field.
• Being too vague or general: The abstract should provide enough detail to give a clear overview of the proposed research project, without being overly vague or general.
• Being too long or too short: The abstract should be within the specified word limit and provide enough detail to clearly and effectively communicate the proposed research project.

Here are some tips to make your research grant proposal abstract stand out:

• Focus on the uniqueness of your research: Highlight the unique contributions and potential impact of your research project, and explain why it is different from existing research in the field.
• Emphasize the potential benefits: Clearly articulate the potential benefits of the proposed research, both in terms of advancing scientific understanding and in terms of practical applications or benefits to society.
• Use clear and concise language: Use plain language and avoid technical jargon, acronyms or overly complex language that may not be familiar to a broader audience.
• Provide sufficient detail: Provide enough detail to give a clear overview of the proposed research project, without being overly vague or general.
• Follow the guidelines and requirements: Carefully read and follow the guidelines and requirements provided by the funding agency or grant opportunity.
• Include preliminary results: If you have any preliminary data or results, include them in the abstract to demonstrate the feasibility and potential impact of the proposed research project.
• Be persuasive: Use persuasive language and a clear structure to convince the funding agency or grant opportunity that your proposed research project is worth funding.

Overall, making your research grant proposal abstract stand out involves effectively communicating the significance and potential impact of your proposed research project, and demonstrating why it is a worthwhile investment for the funding agency or grant opportunity.

When tailoring your research grant proposal abstract for a specific funding agency or grant opportunity, consider the following tips:

• Read and follow the guidelines: Carefully read and follow the guidelines and requirements provided by the funding agency or grant opportunity. Ensure that your abstract adheres to the specific formatting, length, and content requirements specified in the guidelines.
• Highlight alignment with funding priorities: Consider the specific priorities and focus areas of the funding agency or grant opportunity, and tailor your abstract to demonstrate how your proposed research aligns with those priorities.
• Use appropriate language: Use language that is appropriate for the specific funding agency or grant opportunity. For example, if the funding agency is focused on advancing practical applications, emphasize the practical implications and potential benefits of your proposed research.
• Provide evidence of fit: Provide evidence that your proposed research project is a good fit for the funding agency or grant opportunity. This might include highlighting relevant experience or expertise, or demonstrating how your proposed research addresses a particular gap in knowledge or addresses an important research question.
• Be clear and concise: Ensure that your abstract is clear and concise, using plain language and avoiding technical jargon or overly complex language.
• Consider the review process: Consider the review process for the funding agency or grant opportunity, and tailor your abstract to address the specific criteria or evaluation criteria that will be used to evaluate proposals.

Overall, tailoring your research grant proposal abstract for a specific funding agency or grant opportunity involves carefully reviewing the guidelines and priorities of the funding agency or grant opportunity, and highlighting how your proposed research aligns with those priorities while adhering to the specific requirements and evaluation criteria specified by the funding agency or grant opportunity.

A research grant proposal abstract and a research paper abstract serve different purposes and have different audiences.

A research grant proposal abstract is a brief summary of a proposed research project that is typically submitted as part of a grant application to funding agencies. The abstract is used to provide a quick overview of the proposed research project and to convince the funding agency to provide financial support for the research. The abstract is typically focused on the research question, methodology, key findings or results, and the significance and potential impact of the proposed research. The abstract is often written with a broader audience in mind, as it may be reviewed by multiple individuals who are not experts in the specific research area.

A research paper abstract , on the other hand, is a brief summary of a completed research paper that is included at the beginning of the paper. The abstract is used to provide readers with a quick overview of the research paper and to help readers decide whether they want to read the full paper. The abstract is typically focused on the research question, methodology, key findings or results, and the implications of the research. The abstract is typically written for an audience of experts in the specific research area who have a deeper understanding of the topic.

In summary, the main differences between a research grant proposal abstract and a research paper abstract are the purpose, audience, and content. While both provide a summary of a research project, the research grant proposal abstract is focused on obtaining funding, while the research paper abstract is focused on providing an overview of the completed research paper.

Here’s a table summarizing the main differences between a research grant proposal abstract and a research paper abstract, with examples from computer science:

There are several ways to get feedback on your research grant proposal abstract before submitting it:

• Ask colleagues or mentors in your field: You can ask colleagues or mentors in your field to review your abstract and provide feedback on its clarity, organization, and overall effectiveness.
• Attend a grant writing workshop or seminar: Many universities and research institutions offer grant writing workshops or seminars that provide guidance on how to write effective grant proposals. These events often include opportunities for participants to receive feedback on their proposals.
• Consult with a grant writing consultant: If you have the budget for it, you can hire a grant writing consultant to review your proposal and provide feedback. These consultants are experienced in writing successful grant proposals and can offer valuable insights into how to improve your proposal. Read my article on hiring research consultant for research-related works.
• Use online resources: There are many online resources available that provide guidance on how to write effective grant proposals, including tips for writing an effective abstract. You can also use online platforms, such as LinkedIn or Twitter, to connect with experts in your field and seek feedback on your proposal.

Regardless of the method you choose, it is important to get feedback from multiple sources to ensure that your proposal is as strong as possible before submitting it.

Writing a clear and compelling research grant proposal abstract is essential for securing funding in the competitive field of computer science research. By defining the purpose of the abstract and highlighting its key components, we have provided a framework for crafting a successful proposal.

By following our tips for writing an effective abstract and avoiding common mistakes, you can increase your chances of securing funding for your research project. Whether you are an experienced researcher or just starting out in your career, we hope that the information and examples provided here will help you to write an abstract that will grab the attention of grant reviewers and make a compelling case for your research proposal.

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Writing an Abstract for Your Research Paper

Definition and Purpose of Abstracts

An abstract is a short summary of your (published or unpublished) research paper, usually about a paragraph (c. 6-7 sentences, 150-250 words) long. A well-written abstract serves multiple purposes:

• an abstract lets readers get the gist or essence of your paper or article quickly, in order to decide whether to read the full paper;
• an abstract prepares readers to follow the detailed information, analyses, and arguments in your full paper;
• and, later, an abstract helps readers remember key points from your paper.

It’s also worth remembering that search engines and bibliographic databases use abstracts, as well as the title, to identify key terms for indexing your published paper. So what you include in your abstract and in your title are crucial for helping other researchers find your paper or article.

If you are writing an abstract for a course paper, your professor may give you specific guidelines for what to include and how to organize your abstract. Similarly, academic journals often have specific requirements for abstracts. So in addition to following the advice on this page, you should be sure to look for and follow any guidelines from the course or journal you’re writing for.

The Contents of an Abstract

Abstracts contain most of the following kinds of information in brief form. The body of your paper will, of course, develop and explain these ideas much more fully. As you will see in the samples below, the proportion of your abstract that you devote to each kind of information—and the sequence of that information—will vary, depending on the nature and genre of the paper that you are summarizing in your abstract. And in some cases, some of this information is implied, rather than stated explicitly. The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association , which is widely used in the social sciences, gives specific guidelines for what to include in the abstract for different kinds of papers—for empirical studies, literature reviews or meta-analyses, theoretical papers, methodological papers, and case studies.

Here are the typical kinds of information found in most abstracts:

• the context or background information for your research; the general topic under study; the specific topic of your research
• the central questions or statement of the problem your research addresses
• what’s already known about this question, what previous research has done or shown
• the main reason(s) , the exigency, the rationale , the goals for your research—Why is it important to address these questions? Are you, for example, examining a new topic? Why is that topic worth examining? Are you filling a gap in previous research? Applying new methods to take a fresh look at existing ideas or data? Resolving a dispute within the literature in your field? . . .
• your research and/or analytical methods
• your main findings , results , or arguments
• the significance or implications of your findings or arguments.

Your abstract should be intelligible on its own, without a reader’s having to read your entire paper. And in an abstract, you usually do not cite references—most of your abstract will describe what you have studied in your research and what you have found and what you argue in your paper. In the body of your paper, you will cite the specific literature that informs your research.

When to Write Your Abstract

Although you might be tempted to write your abstract first because it will appear as the very first part of your paper, it’s a good idea to wait to write your abstract until after you’ve drafted your full paper, so that you know what you’re summarizing.

What follows are some sample abstracts in published papers or articles, all written by faculty at UW-Madison who come from a variety of disciplines. We have annotated these samples to help you see the work that these authors are doing within their abstracts.

Choosing Verb Tenses within Your Abstract

The social science sample (Sample 1) below uses the present tense to describe general facts and interpretations that have been and are currently true, including the prevailing explanation for the social phenomenon under study. That abstract also uses the present tense to describe the methods, the findings, the arguments, and the implications of the findings from their new research study. The authors use the past tense to describe previous research.

The humanities sample (Sample 2) below uses the past tense to describe completed events in the past (the texts created in the pulp fiction industry in the 1970s and 80s) and uses the present tense to describe what is happening in those texts, to explain the significance or meaning of those texts, and to describe the arguments presented in the article.

The science samples (Samples 3 and 4) below use the past tense to describe what previous research studies have done and the research the authors have conducted, the methods they have followed, and what they have found. In their rationale or justification for their research (what remains to be done), they use the present tense. They also use the present tense to introduce their study (in Sample 3, “Here we report . . .”) and to explain the significance of their study (In Sample 3, This reprogramming . . . “provides a scalable cell source for. . .”).

Sample Abstract 1

From the social sciences.

Reporting new findings about the reasons for increasing economic homogamy among spouses

Gonalons-Pons, Pilar, and Christine R. Schwartz. “Trends in Economic Homogamy: Changes in Assortative Mating or the Division of Labor in Marriage?” Demography , vol. 54, no. 3, 2017, pp. 985-1005.

Sample Abstract 2

From the humanities.

Analyzing underground pulp fiction publications in Tanzania, this article makes an argument about the cultural significance of those publications

Emily Callaci. “Street Textuality: Socialism, Masculinity, and Urban Belonging in Tanzania’s Pulp Fiction Publishing Industry, 1975-1985.” Comparative Studies in Society and History , vol. 59, no. 1, 2017, pp. 183-210.

Sample Abstract/Summary 3

From the sciences.

Reporting a new method for reprogramming adult mouse fibroblasts into induced cardiac progenitor cells

Lalit, Pratik A., Max R. Salick, Daryl O. Nelson, Jayne M. Squirrell, Christina M. Shafer, Neel G. Patel, Imaan Saeed, Eric G. Schmuck, Yogananda S. Markandeya, Rachel Wong, Martin R. Lea, Kevin W. Eliceiri, Timothy A. Hacker, Wendy C. Crone, Michael Kyba, Daniel J. Garry, Ron Stewart, James A. Thomson, Karen M. Downs, Gary E. Lyons, and Timothy J. Kamp. “Lineage Reprogramming of Fibroblasts into Proliferative Induced Cardiac Progenitor Cells by Defined Factors.” Cell Stem Cell , vol. 18, 2016, pp. 354-367.

Sample Abstract 4, a Structured Abstract

Reporting results about the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy in managing acute bacterial sinusitis, from a rigorously controlled study

Note: This journal requires authors to organize their abstract into four specific sections, with strict word limits. Because the headings for this structured abstract are self-explanatory, we have chosen not to add annotations to this sample abstract.

Wald, Ellen R., David Nash, and Jens Eickhoff. “Effectiveness of Amoxicillin/Clavulanate Potassium in the Treatment of Acute Bacterial Sinusitis in Children.” Pediatrics , vol. 124, no. 1, 2009, pp. 9-15.

“OBJECTIVE: The role of antibiotic therapy in managing acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS) in children is controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of high-dose amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate in the treatment of children diagnosed with ABS.

METHODS : This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Children 1 to 10 years of age with a clinical presentation compatible with ABS were eligible for participation. Patients were stratified according to age (<6 or ≥6 years) and clinical severity and randomly assigned to receive either amoxicillin (90 mg/kg) with potassium clavulanate (6.4 mg/kg) or placebo. A symptom survey was performed on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 20, and 30. Patients were examined on day 14. Children’s conditions were rated as cured, improved, or failed according to scoring rules.

RESULTS: Two thousand one hundred thirty-five children with respiratory complaints were screened for enrollment; 139 (6.5%) had ABS. Fifty-eight patients were enrolled, and 56 were randomly assigned. The mean age was 6630 months. Fifty (89%) patients presented with persistent symptoms, and 6 (11%) presented with nonpersistent symptoms. In 24 (43%) children, the illness was classified as mild, whereas in the remaining 32 (57%) children it was severe. Of the 28 children who received the antibiotic, 14 (50%) were cured, 4 (14%) were improved, 4(14%) experienced treatment failure, and 6 (21%) withdrew. Of the 28children who received placebo, 4 (14%) were cured, 5 (18%) improved, and 19 (68%) experienced treatment failure. Children receiving the antibiotic were more likely to be cured (50% vs 14%) and less likely to have treatment failure (14% vs 68%) than children receiving the placebo.

CONCLUSIONS : ABS is a common complication of viral upper respiratory infections. Amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate results in significantly more cures and fewer failures than placebo, according to parental report of time to resolution.” (9)

Some Excellent Advice about Writing Abstracts for Basic Science Research Papers, by Professor Adriano Aguzzi from the Institute of Neuropathology at the University of Zurich:

Academic and Professional Writing

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Analysis Papers

Reading Poetry

A Short Guide to Close Reading for Literary Analysis

Using Literary Quotations

Play Reviews

Writing a Rhetorical Précis to Analyze Nonfiction Texts

Incorporating Interview Data

Grant Proposals

Planning and Writing a Grant Proposal: The Basics

Additional Resources for Grants and Proposal Writing

Job Materials and Application Essays

Writing Personal Statements for Ph.D. Programs

• Before you begin: useful tips for writing your essay
• Guided brainstorming exercises
• Get more help with your essay
• Frequently Asked Questions

Resume Writing Tips

CV Writing Tips

Cover Letters

Business Letters

Proposals and Dissertations

Resources for Proposal Writers

Resources for Dissertators

Research Papers

Planning and Writing Research Papers

Quoting and Paraphrasing

Writing Annotated Bibliographies

Creating Poster Presentations

Thank-You Notes

Advice for Students Writing Thank-You Notes to Donors

Reading for a Review

Critical Reviews

Writing a Review of Literature

Scientific Reports

Scientific Report Format

Sample Lab Assignment

Writing for the Web

Writing an Effective Blog Post

Writing for Social Media: A Guide for Academics

PRDV009: Writing Grant Proposals

Writing a grant abstract.

Read this article, which describes the basic components commonly requested of a grant abstract.

Here, a non-profit consultant and expert grant writer shares some ideas for writing a grant abstract: An abstract is a short summary of your grant narrative, it gives the reader the big picture and should motivate them to want to learn more about your proposal. You'll be required to submit an abstract for most proposals, but it is rarely part of the scoring criteria. This does not minimize its importance, however, because it may be the first part of your application the reader sees. These are the basic components commonly requested in an abstract. Be sure to read the Request For Proposals (RFP) carefully to see if there is a specified outline for you to follow that may deviate from this list below:

• Statement of Purpose : Who is applying? What does this proposal do, who does it serve, where is it located? What is the proposed grant period?
• Goals and Objectives : List or summarize the goals and objectives that this proposal seeks to address.
• Management Plan : Summarize the key features that ensure your project will be professionally managed. Adequate budget, agency commitment, supervision, commitment of resources, etc.
• Evaluation : Describe the key features of your evaluation methods and plans which will ensure that the project is properly monitored and that outcomes will be accurately measured.

Remember that most abstracts are limited to a single page so you must be brief and to the point. I suggest that you write the abstract before you write your proposal so you have the whole proposal clearly in mind before you begin to write the detailed narrative.

Mastering Project Abstracts - The Ultimate Guide | Grantboost

When it comes to research, grant proposals, and academic writing, project abstracts play a crucial role in summarizing the key elements of a proposal or research paper. However, many nonprofit grant writers, students and researchers often struggle to understand their meaning and purpose. We’ll explore what project abstracts are, why they are important, and provide an example to give you an idea.

Project Abstract Meaning

• How Long Should a Project Abstract Be?
• Why Are Project Abstracts Important?

Elements of a Good Project Abstract

Proposal abstract example, using ai to generate project abstracts.

A project abstract is a brief summary of a research project or proposal that outlines the main objectives, methods, and expected outcomes. It is typically the first section of a research paper or grant proposal and is designed to give readers a clear idea of what the project is about without having to read the entire document. Merriam-Webster defines an abstract as something that summarizes or concentrates the essentials of a larger thing or several things .

How Long Should Project Abstracts Be?

The length of a project abstract can vary depending on the requirements of the specific project or proposal. They are meant to be persuasive, but it’s best practice for an abstract to be concise and to the point.

It’s important to keep in mind that grant reviewers often have a lot of proposals to read and evaluate, so brevity and clarity are key.

As a general guideline, a project abstract should be between 150-250 words or one page in length. This length should be sufficient to convey the essential information about the project and its significance, without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary details. Carefully review the guidelines of each grant application and tailor the length of the project abstract accordingly.

Why are Project Abstracts Important?

Project abstracts serve a variety of important functions in grant writing. Firstly, they help to ensure that the project and/or proposal is clearly defined and that the objectives and expected outcomes are communicated effectively. This is particularly important when applying for grants or funding, as the abstract is often the first thing that reviewers will read.

In addition, project abstracts provide readers with a quick overview of the research topic and can help them to determine whether the project is relevant to their own work or interests. This can be particularly useful for grant proposal reviewers who are conducting dozens of reviews and trying to identify potential collaborators.

Finally, project abstracts can be used to promote the project or proposal to a wider audience. For example, they can be used in conference programs or on websites to promote the project and attract potential collaborators or funders.

A good project abstract is essential to any successful grant application or research proposal. It is the first thing that reviewers or potential collaborators will read, and it plays a crucial role in determining whether or not they will continue to read on. To write a compelling project abstract, it is important to answer the core questions that reviewers will have about your project.

According to Yale’s Center for Teaching and Learning a good project abstract answers these 4 questions.

1. What do you intend to do? 2. Why is the work important? 3. What has already been done? 4. How are you going to do the work?

The first question that a project abstract should seek to answer is: what do you intend to do? This question relates to the overarching problem that your project seeks to address and the background context around it. It is important to clearly articulate the aims and objectives of your project in the abstract, and to do so in a way that is concise and easy to understand. Ideally, the aims and objectives should be framed in a way that highlights the novelty and impact of your project.

The second question that a project abstract should address is: why is the work important? This question relates to the broader context of your research, and should explain why your project is relevant and timely. It is important to demonstrate the potential impact of your research, and to show how it relates to current trends or challenges in your field. This can be achieved by providing a brief overview of the state of the art in your area of research, and by highlighting the potential implications of your work for both theoretical understanding and practical application.

The third question that a project abstract should answer is: what has already been done? This question relates to the background and context of your research, and should demonstrate that you have a good understanding of the existing literature and research in your field. It is important to show how your project builds upon existing work, and to highlight any gaps or limitations in the current understanding of the problem that your research aims to address. This can be achieved by providing a brief overview of the relevant literature and research, and by highlighting any key findings or insights that your project aims to contribute.

The final question that a project abstract should seek to answer is: how are you going to do the work? This question relates to the methodology and approach that you will use to carry out your research. It is important to provide a clear and concise overview of the methods and techniques that you will use to collect and analyze data, and to explain how these methods are appropriate for addressing the research question or problem that you have identified. It is also important to highlight any potential challenges or limitations in your methodology, and to explain how you plan to address these challenges.

In addition to answering these core questions, a good project abstract should also be well-written and well-structured. It should be concise and to-the-point, while still providing enough detail to give reviewers a clear understanding of your project. It should also be free of jargon or technical language that might be difficult for non-specialists to understand.

To help ensure that your project abstract is effective and compelling, it can be useful to seek feedback from colleagues or mentors in your field. They can provide valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of your abstract, and can help you to refine your message and improve your writing. By taking the time to craft a well-written and compelling project abstract, you can increase your chances of securing funding, attracting collaborators, and making a significant contribution to your field of research. If you’re a small nonprofit, reach out to our team for free feedbcack on your proposal.

To help illustrate the key elements of a project abstract, let’s look at an example of a research proposal abstract, courtesy of our friends at Yale:

Global warming is arguably one of the most pressing concerns of our time. However, we lack an effective model to predict precisely by how much the temperature will rise as a consequence of the increased levels of CO2 and other factors.

The width of this range is due to several uncertainties in different elements of the climate models, including the variability in the Sun’s rate of energy output.

To gain greater insight into the relationship between solar energy output and global temperature, we propose to launch the internationally led ABC satellite in April 2018.

Our aim is to collect for 2 years data on the solar diameter and shape, oscillations, and photospheric temperature variation. We will assess these data to model solar variability. Our findings will dramatically advance our understanding of solar activity and its climate effects.

Source: Yale’s Teaching and Learning Center

In recent years, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology have revolutionized the way we approach proposal writing. AI-powered tools can help writers to automate repetitive tasks, generate ideas, and even write content from scratch. These “AI Grants” are powered by tools and companies that specialize in the writing process. One such tool is Grantboost, a company that specializes in using AI to help researchers and grant writers to write project abstracts more efficiently. Another tool with more broad use cases is ChatGPT.

Grantboost uses Generative AI to take in information about the grant opportunity and information about the problem being solved to create custom proejct abstracts based on the the specific needs of the researcher or grant writer.

One of the key benefits of using an AI-powered tool like Grantboost or ChatGPT is that it can save writers a significant amount of time and effort. Writing a project abstract can be a time-consuming and challenging process, particularly for those who are not experienced in academic writing. When asking for funding, the language being used in the abstract is incredibly important. If you’re not experienced in technical writing or fundraising, it can be a big challenge just to understand what a good proposal looks like. By using an AI-powered tool like Grantboost, writers can generate a high-quality project abstract in a matter of minutes, rather than spending hours focusing on just trying to get the language and tone right.

In addition, using an AI-powered tool can help to ensure that the project abstract is of high quality and meets the requirements of the funding agency or academic institution. Grantboost’s takes in information about the Grant opportunity to make sure that the abstract is aligned with the priorities of the Funder. This means that the project abstract generated by the tool is more likely to be successful in securing funding or attracting attention from potential collaborators.

Of course, it is important to note that using an AI-powered tool to write a project abstract does not mean that the writer can simply sit back and let the tool do all the work. The writer still needs to provide input and guidance to the tool to ensure that the project abstract accurately reflects the research project or proposal. This might involve inputting key information such as the research question, methodology, and expected outcomes, as well as providing feedback on the generated project abstract and making any necessary revisions.

In conclusion, AI-powered tools like Grantboost can be a valuable resource for writers who are looking to streamline the process of writing project abstracts. By using machine learning to generate successful grant proposals and research abstracts, these tools can generate high-quality project abstracts in a matter of minutes, saving writers time and effort. However, it is important to note that these tools should be used in conjunction with human input and guidance to ensure that the project abstract accurately reflects the research project or proposal. By combining the power of AI with human expertise, writers can produce project abstracts that are both efficient and effective.

Project abstracts are an important component of academic writing that provide a brief summary of a research project or proposal. They serve to define the project, communicate objectives and expected outcomes, and can be used to promote the research to a wider audience. By understanding the key elements of a project abstract, researchers and students can ensure that their work is effectively communicated and stands out in a crowded field of academic writing.

Transform Your Grant Writing with Grantboost: Join Our Beta and Try Our Project Abstract Generator Today!

As a nonprofit grant writer, you know the importance of making an impact in your community. That’s why we’re excited to announce Grantboost - a platform designed specifically to help you write better grants faster.

Grantboost is a game-changer, my friends. It’s a one-stop-shop for all your grant writing needs, and it’s completely free. That’s right, free. We’re about to launch our closed beta, and we’re giving you the opportunity to be one of the first to try out our revolutionary ✨ project abstract generator✨

The project abstract generator is a powerful tool that will help you create compelling abstracts for your grant proposals in just a few clicks. No more struggling to find the right words or spending hours writing and rewriting. With Grantboost, you’ll have everything you need to make a real difference in your community.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for our closed beta today and join the revolution. With Grantboost, you’ll be able to write better grants faster than ever before.

The Ultimate Grant Writing Guide (and How to Find and Apply for Grants)

Securing grants requires strategic planning. Identifying relevant opportunities, building collaborations, and crafting a comprehensive grant proposal are crucial steps. Read our ultimate guide on grant writing, finding grants, and applying for grants to get the funding for your research.

Updated on February 22, 2024

Embarking on a journey of groundbreaking research and innovation always requires more than just passion and dedication, it demands financial support. In the academic and research domains, securing grants is a pivotal factor for transforming these ideas into tangible outcomes. 

Grant awards not only offer the backing needed for ambitious projects but also stand as a testament to the importance and potential impact of your work. The process of identifying, pursuing, and securing grants, however, is riddled with nuances that necessitate careful exploration. 

Whether you're a seasoned researcher or a budding academic, navigating this complex world of grants can be challenging, but we’re here to help. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps of applying for grants, providing expert tips and insights along the way.

Finding grant opportunities 

Prior to diving into the application phase, the process of finding grants involves researching and identifying those that are relevant and realistic to your project. While the initial step may seem as simple as entering a few keywords into a search engine, the full search phase takes a more thorough investigation.

By focusing efforts solely on the grants that align with your goals, this pre-application preparation streamlines the process while also increasing the likelihood of meeting all the requirements. In fact, having a well thought out plan and a clear understanding of the grants you seek both simplifies the entire activity and sets you and your team up for success.

Apply these steps when searching for appropriate grant opportunities:

1. Determine your need

Before embarking on the grant-seeking journey, clearly articulate why you need the funds and how they will be utilized. Understanding your financial requirements is crucial for effective grant research.

2. Know when you need the money

Grants operate on specific timelines with set award dates. Align your grant-seeking efforts with these timelines to enhance your chances of success.

3. Search strategically

Build a checklist of your most important, non-negotiable search criteria for quickly weeding out grant options that absolutely do not fit your project. Then, utilize the following resources to identify potential grants:

• Online directories
• Small Business Administration (SBA)
• Foundations

4. Develop a tracking tool

After familiarizing yourself with the criteria of each grant, including paperwork, deadlines, and award amounts, make a spreadsheet or use a project management tool to stay organized. Share this with your team to ensure that everyone can contribute to the grant cycle.

Here are a few popular grant management tools to try: 

• Jotform : spreadsheet template
• Airtable : table template
• Instrumentl : software
• Submit : software

Tips for Finding Research Grants

Consider large funding sources : Explore major agencies like NSF and NIH.

Reach out to experts : Consult experienced researchers and your institution's grant office.

Stay informed : Regularly check news in your field for novel funding sources.

Know agency requirements : Research and align your proposal with their requisites.

Ask questions : Use the available resources to get insights into the process.

Demonstrate expertise : Showcase your team's knowledge and background.

Neglect lesser-known sources : Cast a wide net to diversify opportunities.

Name drop reviewers : Prevent potential conflicts of interest.

Miss your chance : Find field-specific grant options.

Forget refinement : Improve proposal language, grammar, and clarity.

Ignore grant support services : Enhance the quality of your proposal.

Overlook co-investigators : Enhance your application by adding experience.

Grant collaboration 

Now that you’ve taken the initial step of identifying potential grant opportunities, it’s time to find collaborators. The application process is lengthy and arduous. It requires a diverse set of skills. This phase is crucial for success.

With their valuable expertise and unique perspectives, these collaborators play instrumental roles in navigating the complexities of grant writing. While exploring the judiciousness that goes into building these partnerships, we will underscore why collaboration is both advantageous and indispensable to the pursuit of securing grants.

Why is collaboration important to the grant process?

Some grant funding agencies outline collaboration as an outright requirement for acceptable applications. However, the condition is more implied with others. Funders may simply favor or seek out applications that represent multidisciplinary and multinational projects.

To get an idea of the types of collaboration major funders prefer, try searching “collaborative research grants” to uncover countless possibilities, such as:

• National Endowment for the Humanities
• American Brain Tumor Association

For exploring grants specifically for international collaboration, check out this blog:

• 30+ Research Funding Agencies That Support International Collaboration

Either way, proposing an interdisciplinary research project substantially increases your funding opportunities. Teaming up with multiple collaborators who offer diverse backgrounds and skill sets enhances the robustness of your research project and increases credibility.

This is especially true for early career researchers, who can leverage collaboration with industry, international, or community partners to boost their research profile. The key lies in recognizing the multifaceted advantages of collaboration in the context of obtaining funding and maximizing the impact of your research efforts.

How can I find collaborators?

Before embarking on the search for a collaborative partner, it's essential to crystallize your objectives for the grant proposal and identify the type of support needed. Ask yourself these questions: 

1)Which facet of the grant process do I need assistance with:

2) Is my knowledge lacking in a specific: 

• Population?

3) Do I have access to the necessary:

Use these questions to compile a detailed list of your needs and prioritize them based on magnitude and ramification. These preliminary step ensure that search for an ideal collaborator is focused and effective.

Once you identify targeted criteria for the most appropriate partners, it’s time to make your approach. While a practical starting point involves reaching out to peers, mentors, and other colleagues with shared interests and research goals, we encourage you to go outside your comfort zone.

Beyond the first line of potential collaborators exists a world of opportunities to expand your network. Uncover partnership possibilities by engaging with speakers and attendees at events, workshops, webinars, and conferences related to grant writing or your field.

Also, consider joining online communities that facilitate connections among grant writers and researchers. These communities offer a space to exchange ideas and information. Sites like Collaboratory , NIH RePorter , and upwork provide channels for canvassing and engaging with feasible collaborators who are good fits for your project. 

Like any other partnership, carefully weigh your vetted options before committing to a collaboration. Talk with individuals about their qualifications and experience, availability and work style, and terms for grant writing collaborations.

Transparency on both sides of this partnership is imperative to forging a positive work environment where goals, values, and expectations align for a strong grant proposal.

Putting together a winning grant proposal

It’s time to assemble the bulk of your grant application packet – the proposal itself. Each funder is unique in outlining the details for specific grants, but here are several elements fundamental to every proposal:

• Executive Summary
• Needs assessment
• Project description
• Evaluation plan
• Team introduction
• Sustainability plan 

This list of multi-faceted components may seem daunting, but careful research and planning will make it manageable. 

Start by reading about the grant funder to learn:

• What their mission and goals are,
• Which types of projects they have funded in the past, and
• How they evaluate and score applications.

Next, view sample applications to get a feel for the length, flow, and tone the evaluators are looking for. Many funders offer samples to peruse, like these from the NIH , while others are curated by online platforms , such as Grantstation.

Also, closely evaluate the grant application’s requirements. they vary between funding organizations and opportunities, and also from one grant cycle to the next. Take notes and make a checklist of these requirements to add to an Excel spreadsheet, Google smartsheet, or management system for organizing and tracking your grant process.

Finally, understand how you will submit the final grant application. Many funders use online portals with character or word limits for each section. Be aware of these limits beforehand. Simplify the editing process by first writing each section in a Word document to be copy and pasted into the corresponding submission fields.

If there is no online application platform, the funder will usually offer a comprehensive Request for Proposal (RFP) to guide the structure of your grant proposal. The RFP: 

• Specifies page constraints
• Delineates specific sections
• Outlines additional attachments
• Provides other pertinent details

Components of a grant proposal

Cover letter.

Though not always explicitly requested, including a cover letter is a strategic maneuver that could be the factor determining whether or not grant funders engage with your proposal. It’s an opportunity to give your best first impression by grabbing the reviewer’s attention and compelling them to read further. 

Cover letters are not the place for excessive emotion or detail, keep it brief and direct, stating your financial needs and purpose confidently from the outset. Also, try to clearly demonstrate the connection between your project and the funder’s mission to create additional value beyond the formal proposal.

Executive summary

Like an abstract for your research manuscript, the executive summary is a brief synopsis that encapsulates the overarching topics and key points of your grant proposal. It must set the tone for the main body of the proposal while providing enough information to stand alone if necessary.

Refer to How to Write an Executive Summary for a Grant Proposal for detailed guidance like:

• Give a clear and concise account of your identity, funding needs, and project roadmap.
• Write in an instructive manner aiming for an objective and persuasive tone
• Be convincing and pragmatic about your research team's ability.
• Follow the logical flow of main points in your proposal.
• Use subheadings and bulleted lists for clarity.
• Write the executive summary at the end of the proposal process.
• Reference detailed information explained in the proposal body.
• Address the funder directly.
• Provide excessive details about your project's accomplishments or management plans.
• Write in the first person.
• Disclose confidential information that could be accessed by competitors.
• Focus excessively on problems rather than proposed solutions.
• Deviate from the logical flow of the main proposal.
• Forget to align with evaluation criteria if specified

Project narrative

After the executive summary is the project narrative . This is the main body of your grant proposal and encompasses several distinct elements that work together to tell the story of your project and justify the need for funding. 

Include these primary components:

Introduction of the project team

Briefly outline the names, positions, and credentials of the project’s directors, key personnel, contributors, and advisors in a format that clearly defines their roles and responsibilities. Showing your team’s capacity and ability to meet all deliverables builds confidence and trust with the reviewers.

Needs assessment or problem statement

A compelling needs assessment (or problem statement) clearly articulates a problem that must be urgently addressed. It also offers a well-defined project idea as a possible solution. This statement emphasizes the pressing situation and highlights existing gaps and their consequences to illustrate how your project will make a difference.

To begin, ask yourself these questions:

• What urgent need are we focusing on with this project?
• Which unique solution does our project offer to this urgent need? 
• How will this project positively impact the world once completed?

Here are some helpful examples and templates.

Goals and objectives

Goals are broad statements that are fairly abstract and intangible. Objectives are more narrow statements that are concrete and measurable. For example :

• Goal : “To explore the impact of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance in college students.”
• Objective : “To compare cognitive test scores of students with less than six hours of sleep and those with 8 or more hours of sleep.”

Focus on outcomes, not processes, when crafting goals and objectives. Use the SMART acronym to align them with the proposal's mission while emphasizing their impact on the target audience.

Methods and strategies

It is vitally important to explain how you intend to use the grant funds to fulfill the project’s objectives. Detail the resources and activities that will be employed. Methods and strategies are the bridge between idea and action. They must prove to reviewers the plausibility of your project and the significance of their possible funding.

Here are some useful guidelines for writing your methods section that are outlined in " Winning Grants: Step by Step ."

• Firmly tie your methods to the proposed project's objectives and needs assessment.
• Clearly link them to the resources you are requesting in the proposal budget.
• Thoroughly explain why you chose these methods by including research, expert opinion, and your experience.
• Precisely list the facilities and capital equipment that you will use in the project.
• Carefully structure activities so that the program moves toward the desired results in a time-bound manner.

A comprehensive evaluation plan underscores the effectiveness and accountability of a project for both the funders and your team. An evaluation is used for tracking progress and success. The evaluation process shows how to determine the success of your project and measure the impact of the grant award by systematically gauging and analyzing each phase of your project as it compares to the set objectives.

Evaluations typically fall into two standard categories:

1. Formative evaluation : extending from project development through implementation, continuously provides feedback for necessary adjustments and improvements. 

2. Summative evaluation : conducted post-project completion, critically assesses overall success and impact by compiling information on activities and outcomes.

Creating a conceptual model of your project is helpful when identifying these key evaluation points. Then, you must consider exactly who will do the evaluations, what specific skills and resources they need, how long it will take, and how much it will cost.

Sustainability

Presenting a solid plan that illustrates exactly how your project will continue to thrive after the grant money is gone builds the funder's confidence in the project’s longevity and significance. In this sustainability section, it is vital to demonstrate a diversified funding strategy for securing the long-term viability of your program.

There are three possible long term outcomes for projects with correlated sustainability options:

• Short term projects: Though only implemented once, will have ongoing maintenance costs, such as monitoring, training, and updates.

(E.g., digitizing records, cleaning up after an oil spill)

• Projects that will generate income at some point in the future: must be funded until your product or service can cover operating costs with an alternative plan in place for deficits.

(E.g., medical device, technology, farming method)

• Ongoing projects: will eventually need a continuous stream of funding from a government entity or large organization.

(E.g., space exploration, hurricane tracking)

Along with strategies for funding your program beyond the initial grant,  reference your access to institutional infrastructure and resources that will reduce costs.

Also, submit multi-year budgets that reflect how sustainability factors are integrated into the project’s design.

The budget section of your grant proposal, comprising both a spreadsheet and a narrative, is the most influential component. It should be able to stand independently as a suitable representation of the entire endeavor. Providing a detailed plan to outline how grant funds will be utilized is crucial for illustrating cost-effectiveness and careful consideration of project expenses. 

A comprehensive grant budget offers numerous benefits to both the grantor , or entity funding the grant, and the grantee , those receiving the funding, such as:

• Grantor : The budget facilitates objective evaluation and comparison between multiple proposals by conveying a project's story through responsible fund management and financial transparency.
• Grantee : The budget serves as a tracking tool for monitoring and adjusting expenses throughout the project and cultivates trust with funders by answering questions before they arise.

Because the grant proposal budget is all-encompassing and integral to your efforts for securing funding, it can seem overwhelming. Start by listing all anticipated expenditures within two broad categories, direct and indirect expenses , where:

• Direct : are essential for successful project implementation, are measurable project-associated costs, such as salaries, equipment, supplies, travel, and external consultants, and are itemized and detailed in various categories within the grant budget.
• Indirect : includes administrative costs not directly or exclusively tied to your project, but necessary for its completion, like rent, utilities, and insurance, think about lab or meeting spaces that are shared by multiple project teams, or Directors who oversee several ongoing projects.

After compiling your list, review sample budgets to understand the typical layout and complexity. Focus closely on the budget narratives , where you have the opportunity to justify each aspect of the spreadsheet to ensure clarity and validity.

While not always needed, the appendices consist of relevant supplementary materials that are clearly referenced within your grant application. These might include: 

• Updated resumes that emphasize staff members' current positions and accomplishments. 
• Letters of support from people or organizations that have authority in the field of your research, or community members that may benefit from the project.
• Visual aids like charts, graphs, and maps that contribute directly to your project’s story and are referred to previously in the application. 

Finalizing your grant application

Now that your grant application is finished, make sure it's not just another document in the stack Aim for a grant proposal that captivates the evaluator. It should stand out not only for presenting an excellent project, but for being engaging and easily comprehended . 

Keep the language simple. Avoid jargon. Prioritizing accuracy and conciseness. Opt for reader-friendly formatting with white space, headings, standard fonts, and illustrations to enhance readability.

Always take time for thorough proofreading and editing. You can even set your proposal aside for a few days before revisiting it for additional edits and improvements. At this stage, it is helpful to seek outside feedback from those familiar with the subject matter as well as novices to catch unnoticed mistakes and improve clarity.

If you want to be absolutely sure your grant proposal is polished, consider getting it edited by AJE .

How can AI help the grant process?

When used efficiently, AI is a powerful tool for streamlining and enhancing various aspects of the grant process.

• Use AI algorithms to review related studies and identify knowledge gaps.
• Employ AI for quick analysis of complex datasets to identify patterns and trends.
• Leverage AI algorithms to match your project with relevant grant opportunities.
• Apply Natural Language Processing for analyzing grant guidelines and tailoring proposals accordingly.
• Utilize AI-powered tools for efficient project planning and execution.
• Employ AI for tracking project progress and generating reports.
• Take advantage of AI tools for improving the clarity, coherence, and quality of your proposal.
• Rely solely on manual efforts that are less comprehensive and more time consuming.
• Overlook the fact that AI is designed to find patterns and trends within large datasets.
• Minimize AI’s ability to use set parameters for sifting through vast amounts of data quickly.
• Forget that the strength of AI lies in its capacity to follow your prompts without divergence.
• Neglect tools that assist with scheduling, resource allocation, and milestone tracking.
• Settle for software that is not intuitive with automated reminders and updates.
• Hesitate to use AI tools for improving grammar, spelling, and composition throughout the writing process.

Remember that AI provides a diverse array of tools; there is no universal solution. Identify the most suitable tool for your specific task. Also, like a screwdriver or a hammer, AI needs informed human direction and control to work effectively.

Looking for tips when writing your grant application? 

Check out these resources:

• 4 Tips for Writing a Persuasive Grant Proposal
• Writing Effective Grant Applications
• 7 Tips for Writing an Effective Grant Proposal
• The best-kept secrets to winning grants
• The Best Grant Writing Books for Beginner Grant Writers
• Research Grant Proposal Funding: How I got $1 Million

Final thoughts

The bottom line – applying for grants is challenging. It requires passion, dedication, and a set of diverse skills rarely found within one human being.

Therefore, collaboration is key to a successful grant process . It encourages everyone’s strengths to shine. Be honest and ask yourself, “Which elements of this grant application do I really need help with?” Seek out experts in those areas.

Keep this guide on hand to reference as you work your way through this funding journey. Use the resources contained within. Seek out answers to all the questions that will inevitably arise throughout the process.

The grants are out there just waiting for the right project to present itself – one that shares the funder’s mission and is a benefit to our communities. Find grants that align with your project goals, tell your story through a compelling proposal, and get ready to make the world a better place with your research.

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How to Write an Abstract for a Grant Proposal

by Elaine Riot

Published on 1 Jan 2021

A grant abstract is a concise summary of the project, usually appearing at the front of a grant application. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the abstract is an important part of the funding application, and should describe every major aspect of your proposal, in brief, except for the financials.

Abstracts give funding agency staff and reviewers an idea of the scope of the work. NIH reports that "Study Section members who are not primary reviewers may rely heavily on the abstract to understand your proposal."

Reread your report. Outline the main points of your project as you go. Most abstracts are restricted to 30 lines of text or 100 words.

Consider how you will express each of the following abstract components (supplied by NIH), in one sentence or less: project background; specific aims, objectives, or hypotheses; significance of the proposed research; relevance to the mission of the funding agency; unique features; methodology (action steps) to be used; expected results; evaluation methods; and how your results will affect other research areas.

If your grant application asks for different information than above, consider those components during the read-through instead.

Write a rough draft of your abstract without looking at the report, advises the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL). Consider the major components listed in Step 1, but don't copy sentences from the report, or you may end up with too much information.

Use third person. Follow grant application margin and font guidelines.

Revise your rough draft. According to the OWL, correct weaknesses in organization or clarity, delete superfluous information, add key points you left out, edit out all unnecessary words, and be sure the paragraph is grammatical.

Proofread your finished abstract.

Write the abstract last so that it reflects the entire proposal.

NIH advises that you remember the abstract will be used for purposes other than the review, such as to provide a brief description of the grant in annual reports, presentations and dissemination to the public.

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Quick Start Workflow

Notes on style, writing a proposal, writing a budget, writing a timeline, research methodologies for designers, funding opportunities, external resources.

Define your project + Identify your needs.

• Develop a key research question. What is your methodology? What outcomes do you expect to see? 
• Establish realistic goals. What is your timeline? What other responsibilities do you have? What can you truly accomplish in the amount of time you have? 
• Assess your needs. Are you undertaking preliminary research and in search of seed funding? Or, do you have an ongoing project which has developed into a full-blown research agenda? Scale is important in writing a research agenda: large-scale, long-term projects are often only funded if you can demonstrate seed funding or matched funds.  
• Why is your research/project important? What is its significance? Will you be undertaking experimental research? Contextualize project relevance.
• Sketch a project budget and timeline.
• Define deliverables clearly.  

Identify potential funding sources.

• Determine your category: dissertation, archival, experimental, fieldwork, or manuscript? Funders will usually list these categories in the CFP. 
• Try to align your project goals with those of your funder’s. Make sure you’re “speaking the same language."
• Most importantly, apply early and often.    

Develop a proposal and budget  

• Follow the application guidelines exactly. 
•  Adjust your project to fit the CFP guidelines. Check that your methodology aligns to your project budget and timeline.  
• Be clear and concise. Use images, diagrams, drawings, and maps where applicable.   
• Use active, persuasive language. When describing outcomes, don’t use conditional/hedging words like might / may / maybe / would / could.  
• Seek feedback and write many drafts.  

Submit the proposal before the deadline.  

Carry out the project.  

File reports / send deliverables.

Writing for proposals is not the same as for academic work. It needs to be highly accessible with limited use of industry-specific terminology. Do not assume that the reviewer of your application has expertise in your field.

• Use short, clear sentences
• Employ an active voice (I or we)
• Remain future-focused
• Commit to strong, persuasive phrasing
• Convey enthusiasm and confidence

A grant proposal must always complete two tasks: 

• Clearly articulate the hypothesis of your research in its broadest strokes.  
• Demonstrate that your goals in the research endeavor and the goals of the funding institution are symbiotic.  

Introduction/Abstract 

As early in the proposal as possible, identify and explicitly state the question your research will answer. Avoid empty verbs like “shaped,” “influenced,” “sheds light,” “nuances,” and “complicates” that allude to the existence of an argument but do not state what that argument is. You might consider writing the abstract last even though it will be the first thing readers see in your proposal.

Though all grant CFPs (calls for proposals) vary, most call for a “grant narrative.” If they don’t ask for a separate abstract, incorporate the abstract into the first paragraph of your narrative. A successful abstract will accurately reflect the proposal and should quickly address your key question, research methodology, and relevance to the funding institution. Reviewers will have to sort through dozens or even hundreds of applications so state the who, what, why, where, when, how, how much, to what end(s) clearly and early. You can elaborate in the body of the grant narrative.   

In a grant, it is more important to demonstrate the urgency of your research and relevance to the funding institution than to frame the “gaps” in the literature (as you would in a research paper). Frame research in schools of thought without much detail about individual scholars. Offer avenues for reviewers from other fields (historians, ecologists, sociologists, etc) to enter your intellectual world by relating your research questions to broader issues. 

In the body, establish your general topic before you introduce your own argument about that topic. This framing will make your intervention’s relevance to the field evident. You can expand upon the historical or theoretical background to the project and explain how some of the research you’ve already done has led you to your key questions.

Research/Methodology

Be sure to give the fellowship committee some sense of your research process. You don’t need to re-invent the wheel when formulating a research strategy. In Writing Services, students often come to us with successful grant proposals, save for when they discuss methodologies. Research methodologies (aka research process) is either left out entirely, or students spend a good chunk of their word count trying to describe how they are going to conduct research. When writing a grant application, draw on extant methodologies to communicate to your reviewers how (and within what intellectual tradition) you’ll be conducting research. For a comprehensive list of methodologies in the design fields, see below.  

Institutional Goals

A successful project will address the goals of the funding institution. Sometimes these goals are clear (example: the grant is for dissertation research, and you need funding to travel to an archive to finish your dissertation). However, you will usually need to construct an argument relating your project to the aims of the CFP. Find the mission statement for the institution that offers the grant. Use this statement to identify how your research will advance the institution’s goals. Figure out the reason the funding exists and devote serious thought to how your project relates to that reason. Even if the relevance seems obvious to you, clearly state it; the grant review committee goes through a mountain of applications, so don’t trust that they will make these connections on their own. Also, articulate the specific reasons why you need this money. What will it allow you to do that you couldn’t do otherwise? And why are you the best person to do this project?

A grant budget is usually comprised of two things: a spreadsheet of how the grant will be used on expenses and a budget narrative (justification). A budget narrative is a paragraph which should explain the expenses. Even when proposal guidelines do not specifically mention a narrative, be sure to include one. This budget narrative can exist at the bottom of the table and should provide a brief overview of the budget. 

• Spell out project costs via a spreadsheet or table with the budget detailed as line items and include a budget narrative to explain and justify the table. 
• Make sure that all budget items meet the funding agency’s requirements.
• Factor in the estimated taxes applicable for your case. 

Certain grants will ask for a timeline in your budget proposal. This timeline should list all the activities you will need to carry out to meet each of your objectives. 

Your timeline may be written as a narrative, but it can also be put into a table. A visual representation of your timeline may be easier for reviewers to understand.

Divide your timeline by quarters or months, depending on how long the funding period is. Place each activity into a quarter or month as opposed to specifying specific dates. These activities might include preliminary research, fieldwork, visits to archives, installation, model-making, publication design, etc. Include all activities from the day funding is awarded to the last day of funding.

Include when deliverables will be finished (or when you will fulfill reporting deadlines) and when/how you will assess the project’s progress and address any inadequacies.  

If collaborating with other designers and researchers, be sure to address who is responsible for completing each task. 

Keep the timeline realistic.  

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How to write an abstract that stands out

A well-written abstract helps to attract readership.

Credit: vladwel/Getty Images

10 August 2021

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The brevity of an abstract belies its importance to a manuscript. It’s what catches a reader’s attention and helps them to decide whether a paper is relevant. Yet failing to reflect the content of the paper in the abstract was singled out as the most common error in a recently published study of problems in biomedical manuscripts.

Nature Index spoke to researchers to get their suggestions for how to make abstracts eye-catching as well as accurate.

Carolina Quezada: Get writing practice as early as you can

Postdoctoral Fellow, Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins (Chile) and member of the eLife Early Career Advisory Group

A well-written abstract should highlight clearly and in an engaging way what is most special about the research findings to its potential audience. An excellent abstract should be interesting and accessible to all potential readers including non-experts.

Carolina Quezada

It is important for scientists to get practice writing abstracts as early as possible and seek out formal training opportunities within their schools and professional networks. Even if one writes well in technical and academic language, it does not necessarily make one able to communicate science properly to non-experts, and this skill is becoming more valued.

Regarding that, journals have started introducing ‘layman abstracts’, which are written for the public and researchers who are new to the field. I find them particularly useful because more people can better appreciate the value of the research.

At the eLife Early Career Advisory Group, we have also led efforts to involve more early-career researchers in editing and peer reviews, and I hope more journals can consider having similar initiatives. When researchers are able to get more experience reading, comparing and evaluating abstracts, they can also develop into better writers, and that benefits the entire scientific community.

Simone Schürle-Finke: Don’t overhype your research; know the purpose of your abstract

Group Head, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (Switzerland)

An abstract helps to draw attention to a manuscript and there may be pressure to overhype the findings. A good abstract should avoid that; one way to do so is to be quantitative. In my papers , I like to make use of numbers to state findings or compare my technology with state-of-the-art techniques.

Simone Schürle-Finke

I also find it most helpful to write an abstract after the main body of a manuscript is written. At this stage of paper writing, I am very familiar with the narrative and data and will be able to take a step back to look at the big picture. This can help me summarise key findings of my paper and their limitations so I can communicate them in the abstract accurately.

Researchers write abstracts for many purposes and it is important to differentiate them as they can differ in their emphasis. When I write a paper abstract, there is greater focus on the findings. On the other hand, for a grant abstract, when the purpose is to get funding, the emphasis is on specific aims and potential implications of the project. A well-written abstract needs to be able to capture the essence of its purpose.

Esra Senol: Seek advice from peers and learn from published work

PhD student, National University of Singapore

A challenge I face while writing abstracts is not knowing how much background to include. Some journals provide specific information such as how many lines for background introduction in abstract, but most don’t. To overcome this challenge, I try to get feedback from my inner circle, such as colleagues in the same field and peers who are outside my field.

I find suggestions from non-expert scientists helpful because as experts of a field, I may have technical blind spots. Editors who decide whether to send papers out for peer review may not be experts in my field. Getting advice from non-expert researchers has enabled me to better communicate the value of my research through abstracts.

Researchers can face difficulties writing in English especially when it is not their first language. Although my scientific training is in English, I realise that I may not always express myself as well as native writers. To improve my abstract writing skills, I would read many top, highly-cited papers in my field and also learn from published work in the journals I am targeting to submit to.

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How to write a successful grant application: guidance provided by the European Society of Clinical Pharmacy

Anita e. weidmann.

1 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Innsbruck University, Innsbruck, Austria

Cathal A. Cadogan

2 School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Daniela Fialová

3 Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic

4 Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

Ankie Hazen

5 Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Martin Henman

6 Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Monika Lutters

7 Kantonsspital Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland

Betul Okuyan

8 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey

Vibhu Paudyal

9 University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Francesca Wirth

10 Department of Pharmacy, University of Malta, Msida, Malta

Considering a rejection rate of 80–90%, the preparation of a research grant is often considered a daunting task since it is resource intensive and there is no guarantee of success, even for seasoned researchers. This commentary provides a summary of the key points a researcher needs to consider when writing a research grant proposal, outlining: (1) how to conceptualise the research idea; (2) how to find the right funding call; (3) the importance of planning; (4) how to write; (5) what to write, and (6) key questions for reflection during preparation. It attempts to explain the difficulties associated with finding calls in clinical pharmacy and advanced pharmacy practice, and how to overcome them. The commentary aims to assist all pharmacy practice and health services research colleagues new to the grant application process, as well as experienced researchers striving to improve their grant review scores. The guidance in this paper is part of ESCP’s commitment to stimulate “ innovative and high-quality research in all areas of clinical pharmacy ”.

Writing research grants is a central part of any good quality research. Once a detailed research proposal has been submitted, it is subjected to an expert peer review process. Such reviews are designed to reach a funding decision, with feedback provided to improve the study for this and any future submissions. Depending on the length of the proposal, complexity of the research and experience of the research team, a proposal can take between six to twelve months to write [ 1 ]. Ample time must be given to the writing of hypothesis/research aim, budgeting, discussion with colleagues and several rounds of feedback [ 2 ]. The draft research proposal should always be completed well before the deadline to allow for last minute delays. An application which is not fully developed should not be submitted since it will most likely be rejected [ 3 ].

Despite the large effort that goes into each grant application, success rates are low. Application success rates for Horizon 2020 were < 15% [ 4 ] and < 20% for the National Institute of Health (NIH) [ 5 – 8 ]. With these statistics in mind, it is evident that often repeated submissions are required before securing funding. Due to a paucity of specific clinical pharmacy grant awarding bodies, writing a grant application for a clinical pharmacy or pharmacy practice research project often involves multidisciplinary collaborations with other healthcare professions and focus on a specific patient population or condition. There is no guarantee of success when trying to secure funding for research. Even the most seasoned researchers will have applications rejected. The key is to never give up. This commentary provides useful pointers for the planning and execution of grant writing.

Conceptualising your research idea

Before writing a research grant proposal/application, consider what the research should achieve in the short, medium, and long term, and how the research goals will serve patients, science and society [ 9 , 10 ]. Practical implications of research, policy impact or positive impact on society and active patient/public involvement are highly valued by many research agencies as research should not be conducted “only for research”, serving the researchers’ interests. EU health policy and action strategies (CORDIS database) and other national strategies, such as national mental health strategy for grants within mental disorders, should be considered, as well as dissemination strategies, project deliverables, outcomes and lay public invitations to participate. The Science Community COMPASS has developed a useful “Message Box Tool” that can help in the identification of benefits and solutions, as well as the all-important “So What?” of the research [ 11 ]. Clearly determine what the lead researcher’s personal and professional strengths, expertise and past experiences are, and carefully select the research team to close these gaps [ 12 – 14 ].

How to find the right funding call

When trying to identify the right type of grant according to the research ambitions, one should be mindful that several types of grants exist, including small project grants (for equipment, imaging costs), personal fellowships (for salary costs, sometimes including project costs), project grants (for a combination of salary and project costs), programme grants (for comprehensive project costs and salary for several staff members), start-up grants and travel grants [ 15 ]. Types of grants include EU grants (e.g. Horizon, Norway Grant), commercial grants (e.g. healthcare agencies and insurance companies), New Health Program grants ideal for new, reimbursed clinical pharmacy service projects and national grants (e.g. FWF (Austria), ARRS (Slovenia), NKFIH (Hungary), NCN (Poland), FWO (Belgium), HRZZ (Croatia), GAČR (Czech Republic), SNSF (Switzerland), SSF (Sweden). It is worth remembering that early career researchers, normally within ten years of finishing a PhD, have a particular sub-category within most grants.

Many national agencies only have one “Pharmacy” category. This results in clinical pharmacy and advanced clinical pharmacy practice projects competing with pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutical biology and pharmacy technology submissions, thereby reducing the success rate as these research areas can often be very advanced in most EU countries compared to clinical and advanced pharmacy practice. A second possible submission category is “Public Health”. Several essential factors can impact the grant selection, such as research field, budget capacity, leading researcher’s experience and bilateral grants. Examples of successful clinical pharmacy funded research studies can be found in the published literature [ 16 – 20 ].

Plan, plan, plan

One key element of successful grant writing is the ability to plan and organise time. In order to develop a realistic work plan and achieve milestones, it is imperative to note deadlines and to be well-informed about the details of what is required. The development of a table or Gantt Chart that notes milestones, outcomes and deliverables is useful [ 21 ].

All funders are quite specific about what they will and will not fund. Research your potential funders well in advance. It is vital to pay attention to the aims, ambitions and guidelines of the grant awarding bodies and focus your proposal accordingly. Submitting an application which does not adhere to the guidelines may lead to very early rejection. It is helpful to prepare the grant application in such a way that the reviewers can easily find the information they are looking for [ 15 , 22 ]. This includes checking the reviewers’ reports and adding “bolded” sentences into the application to allow immediate emphasis. Reviewers’ reports are often available on the agencies’ websites. It is extremely useful to read previously submitted and funded or rejected proposals to further help in the identification of what is required in each application. Most funding agencies publish a funded project list, and the ‘Centre for Open Science (COS) Database of Funded Research’ enables tracking of funding histories from leading agencies around the world [ 23 ]. Another useful recommendation is to talk to colleagues who have been successful when applying to that particular funder. Funding agency grant officers can provide advice on the suitability of the proposal and the application process.

It is important to pay particular attention to deadlines for the grant proposal and ensure that sufficient time is allocated for completion of all parts of the application, particularly those that are not fully within one’s own control, for example, gathering any required signatures/approvals. Funders will generally not review an application submitted beyond the deadline.

Lastly, it is important to obtain insight into the decision process of grants. Research applications are sent to several reviewers, who are either volunteers or receive a small compensation to judge the application on previously determined criteria. While the judging criteria may vary from funder to funder, the key considerations are:

• Is there a clear statement of the research aim(s)/research question(s)/research objective(s)?
• Is the proposed research “state-of-the-art” in its field and has all relevant literature been reviewed?
• Is the method likely to yield valid, reliable, trustworthy data to answer question 1.?
• If the answer to the second question is ’yes’, then what is the impact of financing this study on patient care, professional practice, society etc.?
• Is there sufficient confidence that the research team will deliver this study on time with expected quality outputs and on budget?
• Does the study provide value for money?

How to write

The key to good grant proposal writing is to be concise yet engaging. The use of colour and modern web-based tools such as #hashtags, webpage links, and links to YouTube presentations are becoming increasingly popular to improve the interest of a submission and facilitate a swift decision-making process. Ensure use of the exact section headings provided in the guidance, and use the keywords provided in the funding call documentation to reflect alignment with the funding bodies’ key interests. Attention to detail cannot be overstated; the quality and accuracy of the research proposal reflect the quality and accuracy of the research [ 24 ]. Try to adopt a clear, succinct, and simple writing style, making the grant easy to read. Having a clear focus can help to boost a grant to the top of a reviewer’s pile [ 25 , 26 ]. A clearly stated scientific question, hypothesis, and rationale are imperative. The reviewer should not have to work to understand the project [ 27 ]. Allow for plenty of time to incorporate feedback from trusted individuals with the appropriate expertise and consider having reviews for readability by non-experts.

What to write

Abstract, lay summary and background/rationale.

Take sufficient time to draft the scientific abstract and summary for the lay public. These should clearly state the long-term goal of the research, the aim and specific testable objectives, as well as the potential impact of the work. The research aim is a broad statement of research intent that sets out what the project hopes to achieve at the end. Research objectives are specific statements that define measurable outcomes of the project [ 28 , 29 ].

The lay summary is important for non-subject experts to quickly grasp the purpose and aims of the research. This is important in light of the increased emphasis on patient and public involvement in the design of the research. The abstract is often given little attention by the applicants, yet is essential. If reviewers have many applications to read, they may form a quick judgement when reading the abstract. The background should develop the argument for the study. It should flow and highlight the relevant literature and policy or society needs statements which support the argument, but at the same time must be balanced. It should focus on the need for the study at the local, national and international level, highlighting the knowledge gap the study addresses and what the proposed research adds. Ensure this section is well-referenced. The innovation section addresses the ‘‘So what?’’ question and should clearly explain how this research is important to develop an understanding in this field of practice and its potential impact. Will it change practice, or will it change the understanding of the disease process or its treatment? Will it generate new avenues for future scientific study? [ 30 ].

Hypothesis/aims and objectives

For the hypothesis, state the core idea of the grant in one or two sentences. It should be concise, and lead to testable specific aims. This section is fundamental; if it is unclear or poorly written, the reviewers may stop reading and reject the application. Do not attempt to make the aims overly complex. Well-written aims should be simply stated. Criteria such as PICO (population, intervention, comparison, outcomes) [ 31 ], and FINER (feasible, interesting, novel, ethical, relevant) [ 32 ], provide useful frameworks to help in writing aim(s), research question(s), objective(s) and hypotheses. Pay attention to the distinction between aim(s), research question(s), objective(s) and hypotheses. While it is tempting to want to claim that enormously complex problems can be solved in a single project, do not overreach. It is important to be realistic [ 25 ].

Experimental design, methods and expertise

The methodology is one of the most important parts of getting a grant proposal accepted. The reviewing board should be convinced that the relevant methodology is well within the research teams’ expertise. Any evidence of potential success, such as preliminary results or pilot studies strengthen the application significantly [ 33 ]. The methodology must relate directly to the aim. Structuring this section into specific activities/ set of activities that address each research question or objective should be considered. This clarifies how each question/ objective will be addressed. Each work-package should clearly define the title of the research question/objective to be addressed, the activities to be carried out including milestones and deliverables, and the overall duration of the proposed work-package. Deliverables should be presented in table format for ease of review. Each subsequent work-package should start once the previous one has been completed to provide a clear picture of timelines, milestones and deliverables which reflect stakeholder involvement and overall organisation of the proposed project. Using relevant EQUATOR Network reporting guidelines enhances the quality of detail included in the design [ 34 ]. Key elements of this methodology are detailed in Table  1 .

Summary of the key elements of the experimental design, methods and expertise

Proposed budget

The budget should be designed based on the needs of the project and the funding agency’s policies and instructions. Each aspect of the budget must be sufficiently justified to ensure accountability to the grant awarding body [ 35 ]. Costing and justification of the time of those involved, any equipment, consumables, travel, payment for participants, dissemination costs and other relevant costs are required. The funders will be looking for value for money and not necessarily a low-cost study. Ensure that the total budget is within the allocated funding frame.

Provide a breakdown of the key work packages and tasks to be completed, as well as an indication of the anticipated duration. Include a Gantt chart (A table detailing the most general project content milestones and activities) to demonstrate that all aspects of the proposal have been well thought through [ 21 ].

Critical appraisal, limitations, and impact of the proposed research

It is important to detail any strengths and limitations of the proposed project. Omitting these will present the reviewing board with sufficient grounds to reject the proposal [ 36 ]. Provide a clear statement about the short and long-term impact of the research [ 37 , 38 ]. The reviewers will pay particular attention to the differences the study can make and how potential impact aligns with the funding bodies goals as well as national policies. This statement is essential to make an informed decision whether or not to support the application. Useful diagrams summarise the different levels of impact [ 39 ].

Table  2 provides a summary of the key elements of project grants and key questions to ask oneself.

Summary of the key elements of project grants and key questions to ask oneself.

(Adapted from [ 5 ]: Koppelmann GH, Holloway JW. Successful grant writing. Paediatr Respir Rev. 2012; 13:63–66.)

Although the grant writing process is time-consuming and complex, support is widely available at each stage. It is important to involve colleagues and collaborators to improve the proposal as much as possible and invest time in the detailed planning and execution. Even if the grant is not awarded, do not be disheartened. Use the feedback for improvement and exercise resilience and persistence in pursuing your research ambition.

The guidance in this paper is part of ESCP’s commitment to stimulate “innovative and high-quality research in all areas of clinical pharmacy”. In a previous ESCP survey, it was found that few opportunities for collaboration (especially for grant applications) was one of the key barriers for members towards conducting research [ 40 ]. ESCP promotes networking, which is essential for multi-centre grant applications, both among ESCP members and with other organisations as it recognises the need for “multi-centre research in all areas of clinical pharmacy both within countries and between countries or differing healthcare delivery systems”. ESCP is planning to relaunch its own research grant which was paused during the pandemic, and it is also planning to provide ESCP members with information about the research grants offered by other organizations. ESCP is exploring partnering with other organisations to develop research proposals in areas of common interest and, in the near future, it will ask its members about their research priorities. Taken together, these initiatives will inform ESCP’s research strategy and help it to formulate policies to address the challenges its members face.

Acknowledgements

Research works of Assoc. Prof. Fialová were also supported by the institutional program Cooperation of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University.

Open access funding provided by University of Innsbruck and Medical University of Innsbruck. This work was conducted without external funding.

Conflicts of interest

The authors have not disclosed any competing interests.

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