Scientific Writing for Research Grant Proposals

Scientific writing is a key skill. This course is targeted to early career and novice researchers writing their first major competitive biomedical / health research grant proposals. Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals. We are faculty at a major research institution with proven experience training others to health sciences research career success. Use principles of persuasive and efficient writing to improve how readers follow, understand, and engage with your research grant proposals.

Learning Outcomes and Skills

After the course, you will be able to:

• Understand and apply principles of persuasive writing that improve overall research grant writing;
• Identify purposes of sentences, within and across paragraphs and pages, that improve comprehension for readers of scientific writing; and
• Describe and demonstrate major sentence positions and their roles expected by readers, and steps to improve sentence organization.

Skills you'll gain: Grant Applications, Writing, Communication, Grant Writing, Editing, Concision, Communication Strategies, and Organizational Skills.

The SUCCEED Model

Learn how the word "SUCCEED" stands for important qualities of persuasive grant writing. Complete learning elements of the model to develop job-relevant skills:

• S = Simple & Schema
• U = Unexpected & Urgent
• C = Case and Concrete (including the Ladder of Abstraction)
• E = Emotion and Ending
• D = Deadlines

The MEAL Framework: A Structured Approach

Using the MEAL Framework, learn key elements that help organize grant proposal paragraphs and sections. This framework includes:

• M = Main Idea
• E = Evidence
• A = Analysis
• L = Linkage

Reader Expectations and Sentence Structure

Using the way readers naturally process information, learn to write sentences that are easier to understand. Describe and demonstrate major sentence positions and their roles expected by readers, such as:

• Topic Position and Stress Position
• Avoiding Verb Separation
• Utilizing Action Verbs

Specialization Context

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 a shareable career certificate and an e-badge to display your new skills.