How do you get a book contract?
How do you get a book contract? Sample book proposal included.
How to Ask for a Sample
How do you ask for a sample? Funded samples matter. They show you how people frame a vision for ideas, what the culture of the funder is like, how to write to review criteria, and more.
7 Tips for Writing More Fundable Grants
Here are 7 tips for writing more fundable grants.
Tips for Breaking Into Tech, From Dr. Lisa Ibanez
Top tips for breaking into tech, from Dr. Lisa Ibanez.
Moving from Academia to Tech: An Interview with Dr. Lisa Ibanez
What does it mean to move from academia to tech?
How many grants should you write at a time?
How many grants should you write at a time? The odds of getting a grant are not high. Should you work on more grants to increase your chances, despite the time and energy costs?
Dealing with Your Inbox
Emails are stressful. You can spend hours reading and responding, and still drop the ball on important emails. Never fear, I have a solution.
Apply for Awards
Apply for awards. You may not care about getting recognized for your work. But awards have additional benefits.
What's your problem?
Help funders prioritize you by naming your problem clearly. Boil your problem down into one line.
Getting Started with Grant Writing
Quick start guides for grant writing matter. Just getting started is a huge hurdle.
Highlighting Choices
Academia’s overwhelming because there’s usually no one “correct” path. But if you start looking, you’ll see there are lots of chances for forced choices.
Academic Job Interviews
What questions do you get asked during an academic job interview?
Post-Award Requirements
What can you expect after you get a grant? Explaining post-award requirements.
Part II: Top Grant Writing Tips from Dr. Caitlin Martin-Wagar
Welcome back to Part II of my interview with Dr. Caitlin Martin-Wagar, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Montana.
Part I: An Interview with Dr. Caitlin Martin-Wagar
I’m delighted to share an interview with Dr. Caitlin Martin-Wagar.
What kind of help can you ask for?
I’m working on a K. Sometimes it feels awkward to ask mentors for things. What’s typical? For example, should I be drafting the letters of support?
Fail Big: 100 Rejections
We should all aim for 100 rejections. Rejection is the norm in our line of work. Most people don’t get most things.
Free Grant Writing Masterclass, May 3rd
Just a quick note that my free masterclass is next week on Wednesday, May 3rd from 3 - 4pm EDT (Boston time).
Grant Writing Tips from Hannah Darvin
I’m excited to share Part II of my interview with Hannah Darvin, a PhD Candidate in Art History at Queen's University in Canada.
An Interview with Hannah Darvin, Part I
I’m delighted to share an interview with Hannah Darvin. Hannah is a PhD Candidate in Art History at Queen's University in Canada.
How long is this going to take?
How long does the whole grant process take? Here’s my timeline for my first grant.
Don't Throw Away Your Shot
There are many “silly” reasons we get passed over for opportunities. Here's how to avoid them.
What happens if your plans change?
Question from a reader: I’m worried about trying to plan out work that happens in the future.
A Pre-Submission Checklist, Plus an Action Steps Worksheet
What do you need to remember to do before you submit your next grant?
Will reviewers get why your work matters?
Will reviewers get why your work matters? Here's how to help reviewers...
The Grant Ideas Bootcamp
Just a quick reminder that I'm running a Grant Ideas Bootcamp in 2023. Start off the new year with new ideas.
Generate Your Next Grant Idea
You need a great idea to write a fundable grant. But it’s not always clear how to develop great ideas. Where do you start? What makes for a good idea? What’s fundable?
How to Talk to a Program Officer
Speaking to program officers is a key grant writing skill. But what are you supposed to ask, what will you learn, when should you reach out, and what’s the right way to approach these conversations?
The Inside Track
One of the fastest ways for you to learn how funding systems work is for you to serve as a reviewer.
Understanding Reviewer Psychology
Understanding reviewer psychology is a key to getting your grants funded. But how are you supposed to get this inside knowledge?
When People Tell You to Quit
Here's a quick start guide for anyone looking to get started with grant writing.
Graduate Student Funding Opportunities
How’s a graduate student supposed to find grants? This is one of the most common questions I hear about grant writing.
Test Your Grant Writing Skills
It’s really hard to write clear grants. You have a lot of dense information to convey. And limited space.
The Hidden Curriculum of Grant Writing
The hidden curriculum is a barrier to your success. This is especially true in grant writing, where insiders have strategies that make it easier for them and their trainees to secure funding.
How do you know if you're on the right path?
Writing grants can be lonely. You’re in your own head. You’re making decisions about how to invest your time. How do you know if you’re on the right path?
Deciding to Pursue a New Grant
As scholars, many of our choices are taken away by terrible job markets and fickle funders. One place to regain control is choosing where to spend your time.
How Long Does it Take to Write a Grant?
How long does it take to write a grant? It’s hard to find an answer to this question. Most people will tell you, “It depends.” This classic academic answer is true, but it’s not helpful.
Your Investment
Doors to my online course, Grant Writing Fundamentals, are closing soon. Maybe you’re on the fence, and you’re wondering if the investment is worth it. Here's data to help you make your decision.
Questions about the Course
I talked about how my Grant Writing Fundamentals course can help you gain control over your scholarly career. But you may have some questions! Here are answers to common questions.
Fast Track Your Grant Writing Skills This Summer
Enrollment is now open for my Grant Writing Fundamentals course. Fast track your grant writing skills this summer.
Free Masterclass on Grant Writing
Join me for my free masterclass on June 15, from 1pm - 2pm EDT (Boston time). I’m covering the recipe for fundable grants.
Boost Your Grant Writing Skills
Fast track your progress by learning strategies from people who’ve gone before you.
Is Grant Writing Worth the Trouble?
Learning how to write a grant is hard. Even worse, the chances of your grant being funded are low. Success rates across funders worldwide hover between 10 - 20%. Is all that hard work worth it?
Be Consistent
Here’s a simple strategy for standing out in grant writing: be consistent. Consistency is a cornerstone of good storytelling.
What Are the Stakes?
You may be making a key mistake in your grants: failing to explain the stakes. You need stakes if you want reviewers to champion your work.
What's Your Hourly Rate?
How much should you be paid for one hour of your time? If you’re like most scholars, you probably don’t know. Or, you charge $0 per hour of your time.
When to Pursue a New Grant
New grant opportunities usually appear when you’re stretched thin. That’s research life. How do you decide if it’s worth pursuing a new grant in the midst of chaos?
Why Your Frame Matters
You may be introducing misleading frames in your grant. This is one of the fastest ways to annoy reviewers and keep them from loving your work. Here's how to avoid this problem.
Develop a Grant Success Mindset
How do you find motivation after failure in grant writing? My advice is: develop a grant success mindset.
Finding the Right Grant Opportunities
Here’s a secret about grant opportunities. It’s not enough to find opportunities. You need to find the RIGHT opportunities.
How Do You Create A Phenomenal Job Talk?
Today’s topic is job talks. This may seem a little off-topic from grant writing. But job talks and grant writing are two major ways you get people to invest in your ideas.
Why You Need to Talk to a Program Officer
In grant writing, one of the most important things you can do to move the needle on your success is talk to a program officer.