Obtain and read thoroughly all of the application materials provided by the funding agency, including funding rules, instructions, and agreement. Seek advice if unsure of any aspects of the application materials. Enquiries should in the initial instance be directed to the Manager, Grants and Information. While some funding agencies, such as the ARC, prefer that all queries come from the institution’s research office, in many instances ORI will be able to provide the advice sought.
Eligibility
Ensure you comply with all of the funding agency's eligibility criteria. If unsure, seek advice from the Manager, Grants and Information.
Budgets
Develop and write the budget in accordance with the ORI Budget Guidelines.
Application Form
Ensure the application form is completed according to any instructions provided by the funding agency. All page limits and formatting requirements must be adhered to. To do otherwise may result in the application being ruled ineligible.
Supporting Materials
Obtain any supporting documentation that may be required to be submitted with the application. Ensure that the funding rules or instructions permit the inclusion of such documentation.
Writing the Proposal
There are a number of excellent resources available that provide guidance on writing successful grant applications. The following provide links to some of these.
- http://www.pitt.edu/~offres/proposal/propwriting/websites.html
- http://www.proposalwriter.com/grantwriting.html
- http://research.unc.edu/grantsource/proposal_writing.php
- http://www.vernier.com/grants/gethelp.html
- http://grants.library.wisc.edu/organizations/proposalwebsites.html
Ethics
If required at the time of application, obtain any necessary ethics and other clearances. Note that most funding agencies do not require that ethics clearances be obtained at the time of award. Instead, the award is usually made subject to the project not commencing until all required clearances have been obtained.
Review
Have colleagues review the proposal. While ORI will provide feedback on the application, you may find that the most valuable feedback is that which is provided by colleagues in your own or related disciplines, especially if it’s from colleagues who have experience obtaining research funds and assessing grant applications. Provide sufficient time for the review and to make any necessary revisions. Be prepared to accept and consider all feedback provided, including any criticisms. It is better to receive criticisms of the proposal before it’s submitted than after submission.
Tender Submission
If the application is in response to a request for quotation or similar, relevant information is provided in the ORI’s Tenders page.
Submitting the Application
Submit the application to ORI.