Proposal Writing Workshop

On 10th December 2024, a Proposal Writing Workshop was conducted at LT-4, 4th Floor, SDU, from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm, under the esteemed chairmanship of (Prof.) Dr. Jyoti Batra, Dean Research. The session was led by Dr. Mukesh Kumar, Adjunct Professor at SDU, former Head (IH & HRD) at ICMR, and former Director of the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR/CEFIPRA), a bi-national initiative of the Indian and French governments.

Workshop Highlights:

The workshop provided detailed insights into crafting successful research proposals, particularly for national funding agencies in India. (Prof.) Dr. Jyoti Batra inaugurated the event with an introduction to Dr. Mukesh Kumar’s extensive experience in international funding programs, spanning over 30 years.

Dr. Mukesh Kumar shared practical guidance on applying for various types of research grants, such as investigator-initiated research projects, ad hoc research proposals, and funding calls like Requests for Applications (RFA) and Program Announcements (PA). He also emphasized the key principles of grant success, including the following:

Key Learnings:

1. Crafting a Compelling Proposal:

   • Conduct thorough literature reviews to identify research gaps and ensure your proposal reflects the latest developments.
   • Prepare a detailed Gantt chart outlining realistic timelines and milestones.
   • Write proposals with clarity, assuming someone else will execute the project.
   • Avoid preconceived notions about funding outcomes.

2. Salesmanship in Proposals:

   • Think from a reviewer’s perspective and anticipate their questions.
   • Clearly define the roles and expertise of each team member.
   • Maintain focus on relevance to Indian research priorities.

3. Budgeting and Ethics:

   • Create realistic, justified budgets while avoiding inflated costs.
   • Adhere to ethical standards, irrespective of funding outcomes.
   • Ensure no double funding occurs from multiple sources.

4. Feedback and Resubmission:

   • Seek critical reviews of proposals and remain open to feedback.
   • Treat critiques as opportunities for improvement.
   • Prepare for resubmissions and request technical advice from funding agencies.

Dr. Mukesh Kumar emphasized that scientific merit is the primary determinant of funding approval, regardless of the type of institution. He cited examples of successful projects from both private and government organizations to motivate attendees.

Key Takeaways:

• Quality matters more than the institutional type—private and government institutions are equally eligible for funding.
• Preparation, clarity, and relevance are essential for crafting a winning proposal.
• Persistence is key—resubmissions and continuous refinement lead to success.

Hands-On Training:

Following the workshop, eight faculty members were selected for one-on-one sessions with Dr. Mukesh Kumar on 11th and 12th December 2024. The selected participants included faculty from departments such as Community Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Ophthalmology. Additional participants from the Dental College were to be finalized by Dr. Akshay Bhargava, Dean Dental.

Actionable Steps for Researchers:

• Refine your research proposal with a focus on clarity and relevance.
• Seek critical peer and expert feedback.
• Develop a detailed timeline and a realistic budget.
• Ensure compliance with technical and ethical requirements.
• Stay updated with the latest developments in your field.

Q&A Session Highlights:

• Collaborative funding opportunities were discussed.
• The importance of having a primary study coordinator was confirmed.
• Follow-up sessions were suggested for personalized guidance.

Next Steps:

• Researchers were encouraged to continue refining their proposals and seeking feedback.
• Staying engaged with ongoing advancements in research was emphasized as a critical step.

Participation and Engagement: The workshop saw enthusiastic participation from 65 faculty members, who actively engaged in discussions and interactive sessions. The event concluded with an inspirational message from (Prof.) Dr. Jyoti Batra, urging researchers to remain committed and persistent in their pursuit of research funding opportunities.