What makes a successful grant application? From 7-14 June, 16 DZL Academy Fellows found answers to that question in the first virtual Grant Writing Skills Workshop, organised by the DZL. The early career researchers from five DZL-sites learnt through self-study with podcast-lectures, virtual live-lectures and group discussions how to draft convincing grant applications. The workshop was led by Dr. Julia Staykova-McKinnon from Scriptotorium Training & Consulting. Registration for the next workshop in 2022 is open.
Scientific expertise and good ideas are not enough, when it comes to obtaining independent funding for your own research projects. It is at least as important that scientists know how to draft well written and convincing grant proposals. PhD students and postdocs usually have little experience in writing such applications and formal training can be an important stepping stone on the academic career path.
The 16 participants of the 2021 workshop were full of praise for content and format: “The course was absolutely amazing. The trainer was very knowledgeable and shared many invaluable tips and insights with us. She demonstrated the importance of looking at a grant not only from the applicant’s, but also from the reviewer’s perspective,” explains one participant. Another participant adds: “Being very unexperienced in writing grant proposals I now feel I understand what is asked of me to do so and I feel confident to try, as soon as the opportunity arises,”.
A special feature of the course was the mix of self-study, live-online lectures and interactive group discussions. Prior to the course, participants had access to podcast-lectures which guided them step-by-step through the different sections of grant application forms and explained how to write an attractive CV on no more than two pages. “The podcasts were packed with information and will drastically change the way I write grant applications,” summarises one participant.
Based on the positive feedback of participants, the DZL is now offering regular virtual grant writing workshops for early career scientists. Interested DZL Academy Fellows can register for the course on the DZL Academy homepage. The workshop is targeted at advanced PhD students (at least in their third year of study) and postdoctoral researchers who are planning to apply for independent funding of their projects. Prior experience with writing grant applications is not a requirement for participating in the workshop.
Further information:
Further information on how to register can be found here https://dzl.de/en/programs-dzl-academy/grant-writing-workshop/
