Securing grant funding can feel like a maze. We share practical tips drawn from successful applications to help you turn a great idea into a funded project.
Securing research grant funding is one of the most competitive and critical steps in an academic career. With limited budgets and growing competition in an ever-changing landscape, reviewers are looking for proposals that not only present strong science but also demonstrate clear impact, feasibility and alignment with funding priorities. Crafting a compelling application takes more than a good project – it requires strategic storytelling, attention to detail and a clear vision for how your work will advance the field.
In our latest blog, we caught up with Michael Dinig, Head of Grants, and Dr Linda Grillova, Career Development Fellow in the Parasites and Microbes programme at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, who shared their top tips to help researchers strengthen their applications and improve their chances of success.
The grant funding landscape
Over the past decade, the world has seen significant fluctuations in the funding environment. The COVID-19 pandemic alongside Brexit created a lot of change and uncertainty surrounding the availability of grants in the UK. This resulted in grants from charities being sliced, and opportunities for funding reduced. On the other side, the economic turbulence that followed the pandemic led to many foundations investing and growing their endowments. This has led to more opportunities from foundations, and encouragingly, we are now seeing an increase in funding opportunities from UK funders. However, recent changes in US policy have also had a knock-on effect for UK researchers, with restrictions on non-US institutions.
The Grants Office at Sanger, led by Michael Dinig, plays a critical role in understanding this landscape to support our researchers in identifying and securing funding that facilitates their world-class research. As we are generously funded by Wellcome, our researchers are in a strong position in that they can pursue grant funding opportunities that best suit them and their research.
“Working at the Wellcome Sanger Institute is inspiring because every day we’re helping to build the framework for Sanger science that transforms health and understanding around the world. Our small and passionate grants team alongside our research managers play a vital role in helping researchers turn their ideas into funded projects – the starting point of so many breakthroughs – whilst ensuring Sanger recovers its costs. What motivates me the most is knowing that our work enables others to push the boundaries of science and make a lasting impact.”
Michael Dinig,
Head of Grants, Wellcome Sanger Institute
Steps to securing grant funding
Step 1 – Identify an opportunity
This can be through your grants office, who might find something suitable and share it with you. At the Sanger Institute, our Grants Office regularly collates suitable funding opportunities across the Institute – we have an active portfolio of about 280 grants. They also help with tailoring searches to the individual’s specific research area. Often, people source their own opportunities either through known contacts, internet searches or social media. Each funder has their own terms and conditions so make sure to go on their web pages and look at their deadlines and eligibility. Contact your grants office or research managers for advice.
Step 2 – Start early
A lot of the big funders work to an annual calendar. It can be expected that applications will start at the same time every year. Make sure to plan in advance to maximise your opportunity and submit an excellent proposal.
Step 3 – Think big
Grant funding is a big vehicle for career progression; getting funding can open the doors for your career and scientific independence, so think big with your ideas.
Step 4 – Engage internally
Once you have identified the grant you want to apply for, speak to your grants office, research managers or relevant parties to check you are actually eligible. Sometimes the nuances are hidden deep down in the guidance so make sure to check with the experts to avoid any disappointment.
Step 5 – Contact people
Speak to your peers for advice – and remember you do not have to know them! Reaching out to people who have applied and received the grant previously will allow you to understand what a winning grant looks like. People are usually happy to speak and share their tips. Engage with a wide range of people, as each perspective contributes valuable information that helps create a more complete picture.
Step 6 – Understand what they want
It is always good to really understand what the funders want to hear and how you can make sure your project fits the remit. It might be the case that you have to slightly modify it or add additional things. Spend time reviewing the funding scheme and contact your grants managers with any questions you may have. Each grant may have a specific focus, whether that be career development or the technical side of the work – knowing this will help guide your application.
Step 7 – Understand what you want
Once you have figured out the needs of the funder, make sure to consider whether this aligns with what you want for your career development. For example, if their guidance outlines that they want to grow the future generation of leaders, make sure to consider whether this is something that is important to you before you begin.
Step 8 – Use keywords
When drafting your application, make sure to include keywords that the funder is using in their guidance. Speaking their language is important even if it seems obvious. For example, if they are talking about becoming “independent” then make sure you also write this. Putting these words in bold may help emphasise that you value the same things.
Step 9 – Create a story
Your project might be amazing, but it might not be easy for someone else to understand, particularly someone outside of your field. Make sure to find a hook for your project and weave this through the piece – telling a story will help make your piece more interesting and stand out among other applications.
Step 10 – Get it checked
Something may make sense to you, but not to others. Getting your application reviewed by your peers will be important to make sure the project and impact are clear. You want to get it in front of as many people as possible to help review and provide feedback early on.
Step 11 – Follow internal governance
Getting your grants team to check your application is important to make sure you are not promising things that your organisation cannot do or have the capacity for. At the Sanger Institute, we have an internal system called Research, Costing and Pricing (RCP) which enables users, with the support of research managers, to build and price their proposal using approved pricing models. This system will provide a price for the project that will then have to be signed off by different teams at the Institute. Make sure to check that all internal approvals are in place before submitting your application. Following internal governance is vital to ensure the organisation can support your research.
Step 12 – Prepare for your interview
Your application is a success – yay! Now, it is time to nail the interview. People before you would have gone through this experience, so reaching out to others and finding out the types of questions that they were asked will be useful. There are typically web pages or forums where people summarise the types of questions that have been asked previously. Questions are usually repeated so make sure to prepare your own answers. Understanding the interview process for the different grants will also be important. This can help you figure out who your panel may be and what their expertise is. For example, at some stages of the process, the panel may be from your field and therefore, you can reach out to peers and get them to suggest potential questions. Having mock interviews will also be beneficial to help you build confidence and get others to give you feedback.
Step 13 – Kicking off the project
You aced your interview and have been awarded the grant! Liaise with your grants office, research managers or relevant parties to get the project up and running. They can help you with the legal and financial set-up, advise on timesheets and reporting requirements, and offer advice on what costs are eligible to be charged to your grant. All of these processes are key to ensure you satisfy the funder’s requirements. If funds are being sent abroad through subawards, then the relevant due diligence will also need to be done to ensure that the appropriate contracts are in place.
Step 14 – Do awesome science
Self-explanatory.
Step 15 – Schedule compliance activities
Depending on the funder, you may be required to meet regularly or report the progress of your project. This is to keep you on track and determine whether anything needs to be adapted. Some grants also provide you with a mentor who is usually there to support you with strategic decisions.
Step 16 – Auditing your project
The project is coming to an end which means time to get your ducks in a row. Working with your research managers and grants team, you will have to ensure all of your expenses are correctly submitted to avoid any financial losses. An external auditor may be required to help navigate this process to produce a certificate that will ensure your organisation gets paid. Remember that outside of the science, financial accountability is vital to ensure your project meets a smooth finish.
Step 17 – On to the next
Want to expand on your work? Got more ideas? Then explore what other opportunities are out there.
Linda Grillova, whose primary work at Sanger focusses on understanding the basic biology of Treponema pallidum – the bacterium that causes syphilis – has personal experiences of receiving multiple different grants. She came to Sanger with a Marie Curie Fellowship and then was awarded the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Discovery Fellowship. This fellowship gave her independence and enabled her to progress to a Career Development Fellow –individuals seeking to transition to independent research. Her BBSRC award is going to finish next year, but she was also recently granted the European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant. This may seem like luck, but Linda has followed these grant funding steps meticulously alongside her science to increase her probability of getting these competitive awards.
“Every fellowship I’ve received has been transformative – from the Marie Curie Fellowship that brought me to the UK, to the BBSRC that gave me independence and allowed me to become a Career Development Fellow, teaching me how to lead people, not just projects. Those experiences have allowed me to take the leap to lead on my own ERC-funded group, which for me, is exciting rather than daunting.”
Linda Grillova,
Career Development Fellow, Parasites and Microbes programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute
Acquiring research grant funding is never easy, but with the right approach you can strengthen your application and stand out in a competitive field. Remember, grant applications are not just about presenting good science – they are about demonstrating impact, feasibility and vision. With preparation and persistence, and collaboration with your internal teams, every application is an opportunity to sharpen your ideas and bring your research ambitions closer to reality. Good luck!
