Event: How to Plan and Write a Competitive Research Grant Proposal

Compact Blended Training Programme · One and a half days · Online

Up to four hours of Structured Digital Preparation, combining compulsory and optional preparatory activities and resources, followed by a one-day Live Workshop.

Recommended: Optional Individual Consultation to support transfer to the participant’s own funding opportunity, project concept or next steps in proposal development.
 

Registration via GRIPS as of 1 Oct 2026 (external link, opens in a new window)
 

Programme overview

A competitive research grant proposal requires more than a strong research idea. Applicants need to identify a suitable funding opportunity, understand how proposals are evaluated, develop a coherent and feasible project and communicate a convincing case for support. This programme develops the transferable foundations needed to connect funding fit, project design, evaluation logic and proposal development.
 

Who the programme is for

The programme is designed primarily for late-stage doctoral researchers, early-stage postdoctoral researchers and researchers at other career stages who are relatively new to independently developing research grant proposals. It is particularly suitable for participants preparing their first fellowship application or independent research-grant proposal. Participants should bring a research idea, emerging project concept or defined area for which external funding may be relevant. A fully developed project or draft proposal is not required.
 

Key areas

• Funding opportunities, selection and strategic fit
• Evaluation criteria and reviewer perspectives
• Developing a coherent and fundable research project
• Proposal architecture and development process
• Clear, persuasive and reviewer-oriented proposal writing
   

What participants take away

Participants develop a clearer basis for preparing a competitive research grant proposal: they assess the fit of a potential funding opportunity, strengthen the core logic of their research project and define a realistic process for developing the proposal further. 
  

Facilitator

Dr. Thomas Koch is the founder of Academic Futures and works at the intersection of research strategy, research funding and researcher development. A physical chemist by training, he combines international research experience with senior roles in research management and university administration at LMU Munich and Ruhr-Universität Bochum. Since 2016, he has worked independently as a consultant, trainer and coach for universities and research institutions.