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Tips for writing your application

Good writing cannot make a weak idea better. On the other hand, a vague application can overshadow a brilliant idea. So how do you write persuasively? The following ten concrete tips can help you formulate your research in the best light and improve your chances of receiving funding.

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  1. Get to know the funding organisation
    Read up on the funding organisation before starting to write. What are their priorities? What projects have they funded in the past? Review the assessment criteria and ensure that your application is a good match.
  2. Make it easy for the reviewer
    Your application should be easy to grasp. Write a punchy title and a clear abstract that answers four key questions: What would you like to do? Why is this important? Why are you the right person to do it? What results do you expect to achieve?
  3. Clearly structure your application
    A well-structured text is easier to read and understand. Use headings and subheadings to guide the reader through the application. Follow the funding organisation’s instructions and structure your text logically.
  4. Link to the assessment criteria
    If the funding organisation has published assessment criteria, use them! Link your research directly to the criteria and provide concrete examples that support your arguments.
  5. Highlight your expertise
    Why are you and your research group best suited to carry out the project? Highlight qualifications, experience and resources that support the argument that you will successfully conduct the research.
  6. Explain the significance of your research
    Go beyond what you will do. Explain why it matters. Link the project to relevant societal challenges or scientific questions and point out the difference your results can make.
  7. Be clear about objectives and impacts
    Describe both short- and long-term objectives of your project. What impacts do you expect to have? How can the project contribute to the research field and/or society?
  8. Follow the instructions carefully
    It may seem obvious, but many applications are rejected because the applicant missed details in the application instructions. Make sure you stick to the specified length and format and provide all required attachments.
  9. Provide a well-considered budget 
    A credible budget shows that your plans are realistic. Clearly explain why you need the resources you are requesting and how these will be allocated.
  10. Proofread and ask for feedback 
    Have a colleague or someone from the Research Support and Collaboration Office read your application. An extra set of eyes can often discover ambiguities that you miss. But this requires remembering the bonus tip: begin early!

Latest update: 2025-05-12

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