Mastering the Art of Grant Writing


Lessons from the Public Square Workshop. In the world of research, deadlines are relentless, and competition for funding is fierce. Without strong grant writing skills, even the most innovative ideas can fall through the cracks.

Writing a compelling grant proposal is an essential skill that determines whether a project will flourish or fade into obscurity. Recognizing this, researchers, scientists, and scholars gathered on the 15th of October for an insightful lecture and workshop on grant writing, hosted by Stellenbosch University’s Public Squares initiative.

This initiative, managed by Stellenbosch University’s Division for Research Development (DRD) and led by Dr. Astrid Treffry-Goatley, is designed to foster researcher capacity in collaboration, develop bold and creative ideas, and support the pursuit of competitive grant proposals. The workshop was led by Professor Tulio de Oliveira, Director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), who has an extensive track record in securing large-scale research grants. His message was clear: successful grant writing is not a solitary endeavor-it takes teamwork, preparation, and persistence.

Dr. Astrid Treffry-Goatley, who leads the SU Public Squares initiative, emphasized the importance of equipping researchers with these skills:

'The grant writing masterclass is a key part of our strategy to help transdisciplinary teams turn their innovative ideas into impactful, fundable projects.'

Professor de Oliveira further noted that grant writing isn’t just about securing funding; it’s about aligning research goals with funders’ priorities, learning how to communicate complex ideas effectively, and building a strong collaborative network. He stressed,

'Writing successful grants is not a one-man/one-woman show. It takes teamwork.'

Article by: Maambele Khosa; photos: The Dollie House photography


This news piece was published in the gem, Oct/Nov 2024

Click on the image above to read the gem, genomics, epidemics & microbes or scan the qrcode.

News date: 2024-10-31

Links:

https://issuu.com/the.gem/docs/3rdedition_the_gem_newsletter_a4_v2?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ


KRISP has been created by the coordinated effort of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the South African Medical Research Countil (SAMRC).


Location: K-RITH Tower Building
Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, UKZN
719 Umbilo Road, Durban, South Africa.
Director: Prof. Tulio de Oliveira