One of the hardest things about being a subject-matter expert is breaking down your specialty topic for non-experts. As an expert, the connections between the what, why, and how of your research seem obvious, but for non-expert audiences, you need to connect the dots between these key elements. This is particularly important in grant writing when you are tasked with convincing reviewers, who may be from any field, of the value of your project and research plan. So, how do you do this? Read on for some suggestions. 

Current state of play ➡️ Gaps in the field ➡️ Your proposed solution 

The first place your reader will be looking for connections is early in your proposal, where you discuss the background on the topic. Don’t assume your reader is well-read on your topic. Instead, make sure you address: 

• Why the research subject is important? Explain why the research is of interest to the field but also to society in general. 
• What research has been done so far, and what are the limitations of this previous work? Explain where the gaps are in the current “state of play” so that you can then discuss how your proposed work will specifically address these gaps. 
• How does your proposed work address the current challenges in the field? Explain the novelty of your approach and how it will address the current need. 

Objectives➡️ Activities ➡️ Outcomes and Evaluation 

Once you set your reader up with the need for your research, explain how you’re going to accomplish your goals. Specifically, connect the objectives of the research to how are you going to accomplish these goals, possible outcomes, and how you will evaluate the outcomes. Be sure to discuss:

• The specific goals (objectives) of the project you’re proposing. These should connect to the overarching problem you’re seeking to address. 
• The planned research activities and how do they line up with each objective. The outcomes of each activity should move you closer to addressing your objectives. 
• How will you know whether you have succeeded? Explain your plan for evaluating each activity’s results relative to the original objectives. 

Agency priorities ➡️ Review criteria ➡️ Your proposal 

Finally, re-read the funding opportunity documentation and connect their goals and criteria directly to your project. Remember your task is to convince reviewers that your research is a good fit and will, if funded, benefit both you and the funding agency. So, be explicit about how your work will further the agency’s mission. 

Bottom line 

It’s easy to unintentionally skip over critical details when you’re close to a subject matter. Taking the time to connect the dots for your readers, however, will make for a much more cohesive picture and will go a long way towards your funding success.