“tips to write a winning grant...

“TIPS TO WRITE A WINNING GRANT

PROPOSAL”

15 January 2015 (Thursday)

9.00 am – 10.30 am

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamed Sharif bin Mustaffa Director, Counselling Centre

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

Solution-based research

CoE-based research

Institutional- based research

Single-disciplinary & trans-disciplinary

MALAYSIA LABORATORIES FOR ACADEMIA-BUSINESS

COLLABORATION (MyLAB) (3rd Tier for Excellence)

Project-based research

Programme-based research

TRGS, NRGS-KPM

UNIVERSITI PENYELIDIK

AN (RU)

FRGS,ERGS, PRGS, RAGS, RACE,HEPS, GSP-KPM

Pusat Kecemerlangan (HiCoE) 2nd tier of excellence

LRGS (multi-institutional & multi-disciplinary)

MOE Research Programmes

• Fundamental Research Grant Scheme • Output : theory, concept, new idea • Research that answer the question ‘Why’ and

‘How • Research carried out to increase understanding of

fundamental principles. • End results have no direct or immediate

commercial benefits: basic research can be thought of as arising out of issues.

• However, in the long term it is the basis for many commercial products and applied research.

• Maximum RM250,000 and project duration of 1 to 3 years.

FRGS

FRGS Grant

• Trans Disciplinary Research Grant Scheme • Encompasses fundamental and exploratory

research • The objective of TRGS is to boost generation of

theories, exploration of new ideas, new concepts or theories that will be catalyst for new discoveries and innovative creations that can further expand the boundaries of knowledge

• Minimum 3 projects from different research clusters under 1 program

• Maximum amount of RM 1.5M for the program and duration of 3 years

• Program leader should be at least Prof or Prof Madya

TRGS

TRGS Grant

• Long Term Research Grant Scheme. • LRGS is fundamental research with more extensive

scope, and needs longer duration of more than 3 years. • Project must involve various institutions, minimum of 3

institutions. • Projects must be multi-disciplinary, involving the corpus

of science and technology, and social sciences & humanities.

• Head of program must be at least Professor or Assoc Prof.

• Submission of concept paper for initial evaluation, • PI and team members may be asked to present the

proposal orally. • Writing up of a full proposal for further review. • Long Term Research Grant Scheme

LRGS

LRGS Grant

• Prototype Development Research Grant Scheme

• Output : product that is not yet commercialized • PRGS is established to close the gap between

laboratory/research discoveries until before commercialization. This includes proof of concept, evaluation, up-scaling, pre-clinical testing and field testing

• Open to all research areas that have research output that require prototype development

• Maximum project duration of 2 years

PRGS

PRGS Grant

Science Fund

TechnoFund

InnoFund

Grant provided by Government to carry out R&D projects that can contribute to the discovery of new ideas and the advancement of knowledge in applied sciences, focusing on high impact and innovative research

Max budget RM 500,000 Duration : 3 years

Funding for technology development, up to pre-commercialisation stage, with the commercial potential to create new businesses and generate economic wealth for the nation

RM1.5M to RM3.0M Duration : Max 30 months

Development or improvement of new or existing products, processes or services with elements of innovation. The project must have economic value and improves the societal well-being of the community

RM 50k for Individual, and RM 500k for Micro/ Small companies

MOSTI Grant Scheme

Research Proposal Write Up

Contents 1. Project title

2. Research information 3. Executive summary

5. Objective of research

6. Research background

4. Methodology

7. Expected results/benefits

8. Budget

• For new researchers, include experienced researchers and vice versa as members.

• Related ongoing/completed research for the past 3 years.

Research Information

Executive Summary

Precise and concise, limit to 300 words

Include statement of problem, methodology,

objectives, and significance/output of the

research in brief.

Concise and compact, no

citation.

Evaluators tend to only read this when time is

limited.

Clear and specific objectives using result-oriented words, e.g., o To develop …, o To determine …, o To define …. o To assess …

Reflects the fundamental solution/output to the problem

Objectives should be carried out within the duration of the grant

Objective of the research

Introduce the research area Cover the main words in the title Relate to previous study State the problem statement, research question/hypothesis,

literature review and relevant references State the significance and uniqueness in work Must indicate potential for success

Research background

Include all relevant details What you plan to do to achieve research objectives How, when & why Study area Equipment used Sample size/no of tests to be done

Divide the study into several phases Provide the flow chart and Gantt chart of the research

activities Milestones and dates

• Activity for every 6 months • Highlights the output of the research activities • Provided in tabular form

Methodology

REJECTED PROPOSAL

Sample of Proposals (FRGS)

A Developing Model of Eclectic Therapy among Rural Children with Anxiety Disorders and Group Guidance Framework to

Parents and Teachers in Malaysia.

Sample of Proposals (FRGS)

Sample of Proposals (FRGS)

Kajian Perbandingan Faktor Risiko Remaja dan Belia Terlibat Dengan Penyalahgunaan Bahan di Kawasan Bandar dan

Luar Bandar.

Sample of Proposals (FRGS)

Penghayatan Jemaah Terhadap Khutbah Jumaat

Negeri Johor

Sample of Proposals (FRGS)

Kualiti Pengurusan Penyiasatan Jenayah

FRGS TRGS LRGS PRGS

Publications

2 indexed journals

Atleast 8 indexed publications with 2 of them in Q1

50 publications in indexed journals

Prototype that has successfully obtained pre-commercialization and commercialization grant

Human Capital

3 years – 1 PhD or 2 Master 2 years – 1 Master 1 year – 1 Master

4 PhD or 8 Masters students

10 PhD students per project

-

Intellectual Property

- 1 IP for each program

3 IP per Program 1 IP

Expected Results/benefit Novel theories/knowledge – in line with the objective State the expected number of academic publication State the specific or potential application Number of research students

Budget

Put items in their right vot

Follow guideline on capping and specify details of each items in budget

Read the instructions properly because they keep on changing it from phase to phase due

to constructive feedbacks

Vote 11000 (salary and wages)

• Salary and allowances for Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) only.

• Maximum RM2300 for PhD and RM1800 for Master

Vote 21000 (travelling expenses and subsistence)

• Data collection and meeting within the country

• For national and international conferences as presenter

• Lodging, food, flight and taxi fares

V-Series Description

• Building, equipment, transport, etc.

Vote 24000 (rental)

Vote 27000 (research materials and supplies)

• books, journals, papers, chemicals, animals, etc.

V-Series Description

Vote 28000 (maintenance and minor repair)

• sand, cement, building, lab, equipment, etc.

• printing, honorarium, consultation, training (<3 months), fees

Vote 29000 (professional services)

Vote 35000 (equipment)

• special equipment (e.g. camera, tape recorder), upgrading of existing equipment, computer, printer

V-Series Description

Internal Assessment Department/Faculty/Research Alliance level University level Internal assessment improves the quality of grant submissions

External Assessment Sponsor level Many constraints

o Num of proposals, allocation available o Find mistakes/weaknesses

Proposal Assessment

Applicants must have good research track records: publications & previous findings.

Research leader and team capability.

Viability of research plan.

The budget proposed must be reasonable.

Utilization of existing / available infrastructure

Evaluation Criteria

“ Well written with clear objective, unfortunately there is lack of fundamental research and more towards applied research in nature”

Evaluator’s Comments on Rejected Proposals

“Questionnaire survey is the main component of research. Not suitable for FRGS”

“Not clearly stated problem statement and objectives. In addition, does not fit into the sub cluster and no supporting documents presented on the status of the on- going FRGS projects”

“Methodology not comprehensive, lacking in details and not clearly presented”

“The proposal does not address the intended scope of study. The literature review is not only extremely long but

rather non relevant”

“Fundamental issues were addressed but the area is not in the cutting edge.

Furthermore, fundamental issues in this area were already addressed in many

previous research.”

Evaluator’s Comments on Rejected Proposals

“The research proposal does not indicate that it is in line with the government

policy.”

“Not fundamental issues, not proven track record, and research methodology is

unclear.”

“The title does not directly reflective of the proposed contents of the work. Literature reviews and methodology

provided is too brief.”

Evaluator’s Comments on Rejected Proposals

Completion and submission

Write up, discuss, review and rewrite

Organise ideas, literature review, study design and integration of specific aims

into a roadmap

Decide on funding body; familiarise with application procedure

Reference : Prof Choo Kong Bung (2012), FMHS-CSCR Research Workshop 2012 https://www.academia.edu/3238411/Writing_an_impactful_FRGS_proposal_-_examples

Research proposal write up : summary

Keys to good proposal

Reference : Prof Choo Kong Bung (2012), FMHS-CSCR Research Workshop 2012 https://www.academia.edu/3238411/Writing_an_impactful_FRGS_proposal_-_examples

Clear and concise • Good command of language

Evidence-based and logical • Avoid wild speculation

Relevant • Avoid unnecessary information

Winning Strategy

Good strategy • Research proposal is in line with national research

agenda • Wireless sensor network, predictive analytics, 3-D

internet (multimedia digital content) • Agriculture – precision farming, halal food,

bioinformatics • Services – Islamic finance, logistics, tourism, healthcare • Manufacturing – automotive, nano technology

Smart strategy • Bring big person in • Bring various expertise in • If possible, all level of academics are included • Good publication backup • Good relevant research • Straight forward mention how the research is in-line with

National Research Agenda

Very smart strategy • Use your 1st year PhD Student’s potential research work

Winning Strategy –cont’d

Thank You Q&A