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Scientific Writing for Research Grant Proposals

This course is targeted to early career and novice researchers writing their first major competitive biomedical / health research grant proposals. After the course, you will be able to:

1) Understand and apply principles of persuasive writing that improve overall research grant writing;

2) Identify purposes of sentences, within and across paragraphs and pages, that improve comprehension for readers of scientific writing; and

3) Describe and demonstrate major sentence positions and their roles expected by readers, and steps to improve sentence organization.

This course is targeted to early career and novice researchers writing their first major competitive biomedical / health research grant proposals. After the course, you will be able to:

1) Understand and apply principles of persuasive writing that improve overall research grant writing;

2) Identify purposes of sentences, within and across paragraphs and pages, that improve comprehension for readers of scientific writing; and

3) Describe and demonstrate major sentence positions and their roles expected by readers, and steps to improve sentence organization.

We are faculty at a major research institution with proven experience training others to health sciences research career success. Scientific writing is a key skill. This course is part of a larger Specialization called Grant Writing for Health Researchers. Please consider taking the other two courses on (1) Grant proposal plans, sections, and resubmission, and (2) Biostatistics study design and analysis for grant proposals. Together, these have been a recipe for success for researchers at the University of Colorado and beyond. Upon completion, you will earn an e-badge to display your new skills. Please join us!

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Scientific Writing: The SUCCEED Model

Learn how to the word "SUCCEED" stands for important qualities of persuasive grant writing.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides scientific writing training for beginners who want to write competitive biomedical and health research grant proposals

Taught by Anne M. Libby, PhD, who has proven experience training scientists for research career success

Part of a Specialization called "Grant Writing for Health Researchers" that offers three courses which together provide a recipe for success for researchers

Utilizes a structured approach to scientific writing called the MEAL Framework that helps organize grant proposal paragraphs and sections

Covers clarity and conciseness which are important elements for writing effective and compelling grant proposals

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Reviews summary

Mastering persuasive scientific grant writing

According to learners, this course is a highly practical and essential guide for early-career researchers aiming to master grant proposal writing. Students found the application of the SUCCEED and MEAL frameworks particularly effective for organizing ideas and improving persuasive communication. Many highlighted significant improvements in their writing clarity and concision, making their proposals more digestible for readers. While some noted a desire for more diverse examples or in-depth practice, the course is broadly praised for its actionable strategies and its strong integration as a core component of the broader Grant Writing for Health Researchers Specialization, providing a solid foundation for navigating the complexities of scientific grant applications.

Integrates well within the Grant Writing Specialization.

"As part of the Grant Writing Specialization, this course truly delivers and builds cohesively on related topics."

"A must-take before tackling a grant application, especially if you're pursuing the full specialization; it's concise and well-structured."

"It's specifically tailored for grant proposals, which is a big plus and integrates well within the larger learning path."

Highly beneficial for early-career grant writers.

"This course was incredibly helpful for my first grant proposal. I highly recommend it for any early-career researcher!"

"Absolutely essential for anyone stepping into grant writing, as it directly addresses crucial challenges and provides solutions."

"While excellent for beginners, more advanced writers might find some sections a bit basic, but it's still a solid starting point."

Focuses on conciseness and reader comprehension.

"My writing has definitely become clearer and more direct after applying these techniques. The 'Clarity and Concision' module was a highlight."

"I learned how to structure my thoughts more effectively and avoid common pitfalls, saving me so much time and frustration."

"The emphasis on 'less friction and more momentum' for the reader is a game-changer; my readability significantly improved."

Provides practical models like SUCCEED and MEAL.

"The SUCCEED and MEAL frameworks made complex ideas digestible. I feel much more confident in structuring my arguments and writing persuasively."

"I appreciate the practical approach this course takes. The SUCCEED and MEAL frameworks are highly applicable to my work."

"It breaks down the art of persuasive scientific communication into actionable steps, truly delivering on its promise."

Some wished for broader examples or more in-depth practice.

"I found some of the examples a bit repetitive or not as diverse as I hoped, which slightly limited broader applicability."

"I felt the need for more in-depth practice exercises to really internalize the principles, as some concepts required more hands-on."

"It was a bit too focused on biomedical fields for my general research area; I sometimes struggled to see direct applicability without more general examples."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Scientific Writing for Research Grant Proposals with these activities:

Create a Research Notebook

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Organize and track your research notes, ideas, and references by creating a dedicated research notebook.

Browse courses on Scientific Research

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Purchase a notebook or create a digital document for your research.
Record your research questions, hypotheses, and observations.
Keep track of references and citations.

Study Scientific Terminology

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Reinforce your foundational understanding of the language of scientific writing to set yourself up for success in this course.

Browse courses on Scientific Writing

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Review a glossary of scientific terminology.
Use flashcards to test your knowledge of key terms.

Connect with Researchers and Writers

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Seek guidance and support from experienced researchers and writers who can provide valuable insights and advice on your scientific writing.

Browse courses on Scientific Research

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Identify potential mentors in your field of research.
Reach out to them and express your interest in connecting.
Arrange meetings or video calls to discuss your writing and research.

Five other activities

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Analyze Grant Proposal Examples

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Deepen your understanding of persuasive writing techniques by examining real-world grant proposals.

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Read and analyze a variety of grant proposals.
Identify the key elements and persuasive strategies used in each proposal.
Summarize your findings and discuss them with a peer or mentor.

Attend Writing Workshops

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Enhance your writing skills and learn best practices from experienced professionals in a collaborative workshop setting.

Browse courses on Scientific Writing

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Identify and register for writing workshops relevant to scientific writing and grant proposals.
Attend the workshops and actively participate in exercises and discussions.
Seek feedback from instructors and peers to improve your writing.

Conduct Peer Review Sessions

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Gain valuable insights and improve your writing by exchanging feedback with fellow students.

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Form a peer review group with other students in the course.
Exchange drafts of your writing.
Provide constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement.

Draft a Research Proposal Outline

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Put your learning into practice by creating a draft outline for your own research proposal. This will help you internalize the principles of persuasive writing and prepare you for the challenges of the application process.

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Identify the research question and objectives.
Develop a hypothesis or specific aims.
Describe the methods you will use to conduct your research.
Explain the significance of your research and its potential impact.

Initiate a Mini-Research Project

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Apply the principles of grant writing to a small-scale research project. This hands-on experience will give you a deeper understanding of the entire research process.

Browse courses on Scientific Research

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Define a research question and hypothesis.
Conduct a literature review.
Design and carry out your research.
Analyze your results and write a summary report.

Career center

Learners who complete Scientific Writing for Research Grant Proposals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 28 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Scientific Writing for Research Grant Proposals.

How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper

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Considered a classic and a must-read, this book provides a step-by-step guide to all aspects of writing a scientific paper, from title to references. It's a very useful reference book for scientists at all stages of their careers. The 9th edition includes new guidance on navigating copyright, presenting online, and writing in English as a non-native language.

Scientific Writing for Research Grant Proposals

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What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Mastering persuasive scientific grant writing

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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