Methods, Outcomes, Significance

The obvious.... Check aims and remit Check guidelines, submission dates, additional requirements – Signatures in advance Check eligibility Read selection criteria and write to them Consider a reader or mentor (factor into time allocation)

Most grants Project info – Project Title – Aims and Background – Methodology – Significance – Role/expertise of Personnel Researcher info – Track record Budget – Justification

Project information Title – depends on funder. If government keep it factual Aims and Background Enough info so that general reader can understand the context of your proposal. Keep within word limit Keep language general – not aiming to confuse or ‘wow’ the panel; aiming to give them a sense of why it is important and where your work fits in existing framework

Methodology Overall aim is clarity Irrespective of background of panel they will want to know specifically: – What will you be doing – Why – How - in detail. Convince them that the methods make sense and will allow you to achieve goals/aims. – Give specifics – numbers in data set/ methods (interviews etc). Explain recruitment. If you have privileged access tell them. – Keep it simple but clear and full, highlight key points (dot points etc)

Break it down if need be Aims The current project forms the first part of a larger project which will ultimately attract external funding. The overall aim of the project is to map the perceptions and interpretations of, Australian and New Zealand farmers and consumers to animal welfare and food production systems. The project has the following stages: – Focus groups with students (SRSG support requested for this component) – Assessment of consumer attitudes in Australia (FRG support requested) – Assessment of farmer attitudes in Australia (external support will be requested) – Assessment of both farmer and consumer attitudes in New Zealand (external support will be requested)

Do your homework Check out the funding body Who is likely to be on the panel – how much explanation will be needed. – E.g. Qualitative researcher applying to funder with history of funding quantitative research – may need to justify and carefully explain methods in more detail.

Outcomes Be realistic but ambitious Give specifics It is expected that this pilot project will have the concrete outcome of allowing the researchers to devise a number of key questions assessing perceptions and interpretations of food processes and animal welfare. Additionally it is anticipated that the focus groups will bring to light broader issues such as topical concern over live exports. Such broader issues may lead to a publication in their own right and may also lead to the inclusion of unanticipated questions in the later stages of the overall research project.

Outcomes Can break down into outcomes (generic) and outputs (specifics): The following journals will be considered as suitable avenues for the dissemination of the results of this project: – Animal Welfare (impact factor: 0.796): “Public acceptance of the Five Freedoms as a basis for animal welfare practices”. This paper will be based solely on data gathered from this project. – Food Policy (impact factor 0.609): “Public willingness to pay for animal welfare initiatives: Impact on food choices”. This paper will be based solely on data gathered from this project. Additionally, we expect to submit later in 2012/early 2013 an external funding application to continue phases two and three of the research (bear in mind rationale for funding here)

Institutional objectives Think about the funder – what are their priorities – speak to them if possible: Other outputs: Beyond the above outcomes this project will fall within a comprehensive, interlinked series of research examining human-animal relationships. To date this research suite has attracted substantial media attention, community interest and support, and a significant number of both internal and external grants, and it is anticipated that the current project will contribute to this.

Finally Find a way to let them know why you should be the one doing this research. Consider adding ‘Role of personnel’ or ‘Applicant skills and experience’ if not already required. Bear in mind funder’s objectives, e.g. – Already have several publications; – outline tangible outcomes to date; – consider situating proposal within suite of research; – if first application give indication you are thinking beyond this first piece.

Questions?