RDT can most substantively contribute to developing competitive grant applications when we begin working with investigators at the earliest stages of project conceptualization and design. Even if we are not involved until later in the process, we can help develop and/or edit scientific narratives, graphics, and administrative documents. We don't need to be involved in all aspects of a grant application, but offer services that span all stages:
(1) IDEATION. We can convene and facilitate conversations between investigators who haven't worked together but, collectively, might be well-suited to pursue a particular funding opportunity. We can do the opposite as well – i.e., help individual investigators that already have a great idea to identify potential collaborators and/or funding mechanisms.
(2) DESIGN. For complex, multidisciplinary grant applications this might begin in the absence of a particular funding opportunity; it should, ideally, begin 3-6 months before any known or specified submission deadline. By the end of this stage the following details should be clear: who will be involved, how each person will contribute, and the primary goals that the proposed project aims to tackle.
(3) DRAFTING. The RDT pre-award administrator (or the equivalent in your Department, Center, or Institute) will often focus on proposal project management and the budget, budget narrative, and other resource sections. With sufficient time and engagement we can help develop graphics, portions of the scientific narrative, and a variety of administrative documents – e.g., Multiple PI Leadership Plans, Data Management Plans, Biosketches, and Letters of Support. (Note: our Resources page has links to helpful guidance and templates.)
(4) EDITING. We like to reserve 4-8 weeks to edit iteratively, focusing on high-, intermediate-, and then low-level details – e.g., for text, focusing first on the order of ideas/paragraphs, then the structure of sentences, and finally word choice, punctuation, and grammar. Iterative processes take time but result in a better product and fewer frayed nerves.
(5) FINALIZATION. We normally focus on basic copyediting, formatting, compliance, and high-level editorial comments in the 1-2 weeks preceding submission.