Whether you’re an Early Career Researcher or an experienced academic wanting to explore a research question, at some point you’re going to have to write a grant application.
If you’re planning to apply for funding from us – or indeed any funder – you’ve probably heard the usual advice: start early, be clear, and align with the funder’s goals. Those are important first steps. But after seeing hundreds of grant applications, we’ve witnessed first-hand the things that help proposals rise to the top, and the missteps that hold others back.
We asked Sanjay Thakrar, Director of Research at the Vivensa Foundation, to share his reflections on what makes a strong grant application. Here’s what he’s learnt over the years, distilled into ten key tips to help you craft a compelling, fundable proposal.
1. Pick the right funding call
This may seem obvious to some, but before you begin writing your application, ask yourself: is this the right call for my project? Take some time to read the scope, eligibility criteria and guidance. Tailored, well-aligned proposals are a lot more successful than those forced to fit a brief they weren’t designed for.
“It’s far better to take your time and target the most suitable funder or call for your work,” says Sanjay. “It’s not a lottery – we’re looking for the right projects that fit the scope and priorities of the call. If it hits the remit of the call or the funder, you’re basically most of the way there.”
2. Write for a broad audience
Your application won’t only be read by specialists in your field – it will also go to committee/panel reviewers from other disciplines.
Make your key messages stand out and clearly explain what your proposed research is, why it’s important, and what you hope to achieve. And remember to avoid jargon and unexplained acronyms.
“Funding panels are made up of a diverse range of people,” Sanjay explains. “Reviewers won’t always know your field inside out, so writing clearly with no assumptions is vital.”
3. Be realistic
Focus on what’s achievable, with clear objectives, methods, timelines, and deliverables. Ambitious applications without the necessary detail raise concerns about feasibility.
The strongest proposals are those that demonstrate focused, well-scoped plans that can be delivered within the limits of time and funding. This also extends to the application process itself.
“Everything takes longer than you think – even the act of submitting the form takes longer than people expect!” Sanjay warns. “It’s important to ensure your plans are realistic. And the more time you give yourself, the more time you have to ask questions, get feedback and polish the application.”
4. Explain the why and how
Why is your research important now? Why is your team the right one to deliver it? Is the most appropriate methodology being used? And what difference will your work make?
Even if you’re at an early stage, funders need to see the value of your work and the impact it could have. Whether you’re aiming to improve health outcomes, influence policy, or advance understanding, you need to make the case convincingly.
Don’t forget to think beyond the academic impacts. How might this affect older people, carers, or communities in the wider world?
5. Don’t treat EDI or PPIE as afterthoughts
We often see generic equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) statements that have been tacked on to tick a box.
We want to know how you will embed these principles in your research, from inclusive study recruitment to diverse team composition. The strongest applications show specific actions and allocate appropriate resources (e.g. language translation, accessible formats, specialist support, etc.)
Likewise, patient, carer and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) should not be confused with simply recruiting research participants. Instead, show how older people, carers or community members will be involved in shaping, conducting or disseminating your research. Use the UK Standards for Public Involvement as a guide and the Academy Ignition Fund can help here too.
“Take the time to think about whether you’ve really addressed EDI, PPIE, capacity building and impact,” Sanjay says. “Many funders – including ourselves – consider these factors in our decision-making.”
6. Align your budget and plan
Reviewers often spot inconsistencies between the narrative and the budget. If your timeline or staffing plans don’t match the financial summary, it raises concerns.
Funders expect you to spend money – that’s why you’re applying! – so be transparent and realistic about costs and justify them. If you’re planning training, translation or PPIE activities, show where and how they’re going to be resourced.
7. Clarify roles and governance
Who’s doing what, and how will the project be managed? Demonstrate that your team has the right expertise – or access to it – and that roles and responsibilities are clear. This builds confidence in your project’s organisation and delivery.
For collaborative or community-based work, you should show that this is a meaningful partnership and explain how it will be managed across teams or institutions.
8. Use appropriate and respectful language
Language matters. We encourage you to use “older people” instead of “the elderly” and “participants” rather than “subjects.” Consider referring to “seldom-heard groups” instead of “hard-to-reach”, and use gender-neutral language where possible. Small changes like these reflect inclusive, respectful communication.
9. The power of a proofread
Poor grammar, unclear writing, or simple typos can seriously undermine your credibility. Ask a colleague (or a few!) to read your final draft with fresh eyes. Reviewers will notice if your application is difficult to follow or hurriedly written, and they may lose confidence in your ability to deliver the work.
“Ask colleagues to check your application for technical accuracy and readability,” Sanjay advises. “Being clear is key.”
10. Get (and use) feedback
You don’t have to do this alone. Check the funder’s website for guidance, and get in touch with their funding team for clarifications and questions. Ask trusted colleagues to critique your proposal and plan, especially if they’ve previously applied to the same organisation.
And if your application isn’t successful, take time to digest any feedback. Learning from what didn’t work is one of the most effective ways to improve future submissions.
“If you’re rejected, don’t ignore the feedback,” says Sanjay. “Funders – including ourselves – often publish FAQs or call-wide advice that highlights common weaknesses. It’s there to help.”
Final thoughts
We know research funding applications take time, and we’re grateful for the effort researchers put in. But strong proposals don’t just come from good science – they also rely on clear and thoughtful communication.
We hope these tips will help you strengthen your next application and bring your research to life for reviewers.
Ready to apply?
Explore our current funding calls and guidance on our website.