Grants 101: Tips for getting your project funded

Show notes

So, you want to study sharks. You have a brilliant research question and an idea of how to answer it. You’ve got the skills, the knowledge, and the passion…there’s just one problem: you need money to do it. Applying for funding is a huge part of science and conservation, but it’s also the most daunting and, let’s face it, least fun part of being a researcher. It’s a lot of work and effort, there are things like budgets and deliverables to get a grip on, and at the end of it, you might still get rejected. It’s difficult sometimes to even know where to start. But fear not!

Here at the World of Sharks podcast, we have your back. In this episode, our host Dr Isla Hodgson sat down with Dr James Lea, CEO of Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF), Lee Crockett, Executive Director of the Shark Conservation Fund (SCF), and Sarah Fowler, advisor to both organisations. James, Lee and Sarah have masses of experience in both reviewing grant applications (they can go through hundreds in a year) and applying for them – as Lee says, they are all “acutely aware of the burden placed on the applicants”. They know what sets an application apart from the rest, and so we asked for some tricks of the trade…

Before we dive into how to craft the ‘perfect’ grant proposal, however, we first talk about ‘failure’ [12.54]. There is a limited pot of money available, which means that, unfortunately, not everyone is successful. In fact, rejection is very common in research, and everyone has some experience with it. We wanted to know a time that James, Sarah and Lee felt they were unsuccessful and what they learnt from this experience. Sarah says she has a ‘long history with failure’ and that even at her best, her success rate is about 1 ‘yes’ for 6 ‘nos’. She remembers ‘writing awful proposals’ that she looks back on now with horror! But, she kept trying, listening to advice and practising (writing an application is truly an art form) – and eventually, she succeeded. James – who is now CEO of Save Our Seas Foundation – remembers a time that he almost quit his PhD. He was working on silky sharks, and almost two years in realised he didn’t have enough data even to write a chapter, as the population had declined so rapidly. Luckily, another group had some data for him, and through collaboration, he could complete his PhD. What he learned from this experience was never to struggle alone – something that comes back later in the episode! And finally, Lee speaks of failing to persuade funders to come on board in the early days of the Shark Conservation Fund – which comprises of a collaboration of philanthropists who invest in projects that aim to tackle illegal trade and unsustainable fishing of sharks and rays. Lee learnt to be cognizant of their individual interests, as well as communicate the importance of SCF’s mission in a way that was concise, clear and free of scientific jargon. 

So, there is something to learn from every unsuccessful attempt – but what convinces a funder to get behind your project? For James, it’s a whole suite of things [21.00]. These include clear goals achievable within the time frame (ambition is good, but you also need to demonstrate that what you want to do can actually be accomplished) and a reasonable, well-considered budget. He also stresses the need to be mindful of what the funder wants – what specific question have they asked you to address, and how are you addressing it? These are all laid out in the guidelines, and it’s a good idea to read these several times while writing a proposal. Sarah agrees and also suggests that even after the proposal is written, refer back to the guidelines and check it suits the funder’s requirements.

When deciding between 80-90 grant proposals, Sarah asks the “so what?” question [23.10]. What she means by this is she wants a very clear statement of what the impact will be and what they will see change because of your project. For example, are you trialling a new research technique that, if successful, could change the course of your field? Or, is there a very clear benefit for the conservation and management of that species? Essentially, why specifically is your research important? She also emphasises the fact that often, choosing between grants is like splitting hairs [26.16]. Getting rejected doesn’t mean your research isn’t important or your application wasn’t excellent. It can be as simple as someone has just pipped you to the post. For instance, Save Our Seas Foundation will favour projects looking at a Critically Endangered species, for example, as there is greater urgency regarding time.

Lee talks of the importance of being both realistic – so demonstrating the project is achievable in the time frame, with the resources available – and also showing longevity [28.20]. So the project will end, but what will the longer-term impacts be? He also stresses the need to be concise and describe the problem and how you address it in the first paragraph. Funders often don’t have time to read through pages and pages of text before they understand what you’re trying to do. He advises that when writing, a good exercise is to imagine you are a reviewer who has to read 60 other similar grant applications. Do you get to the point quickly and succinctly so they are hooked from the first few sentences? Or is it hard work for them? If the latter, you’re less likely to be successful.

Okay, so we’ve talked about applications and how to write a great one, but what about if you’re starting with a seedling of an idea? James recommends, at this stage, reaching out to others and just talking the idea through, and taking the time to do your research [31.15]. This can also include reaching out to potential funders and asking for clarity on what they’re looking for. Sarah adds that you must also be prepared to make changes to your proposal based on this advice. James, Lee and Sarah also emphasise the importance of collaboration [36.15] – especially if you are working outside your local area. SOSF and SCF like to see that you are building local capacity and working with local expertise to help your project have an impact.

Collaboration and partnerships can also help if you don’t feel you have the support of an academic institution [39.20]. You should never feel you have to struggle alone. Lee and James both offer the support of SCF and SOSF and recommend sending an email to them or successful applicants for help. It may feel daunting, but everyone has been in an applicant’s position and are only too willing to help.

In summary: keep going, reach out for help when needed, and don’t lose heart if you don’t succeed the first time. You’ll get there, and it’ll be so worth it in the end!

You can find guidance, resources and information on upcoming calls for proposals for Save Our Seas Foundation here and the Shark Conservation Fund here.

About our guests

DR JAMES LEA

Chief Executive Officer at Save Our Seas Foundation

He has had a fascination for the marine realm from a young age, and it was this that sparked his ambition to explore the oceans. Having been humbled by encounters with various shark species, he became keen to learn as much as he could about their behaviour and ecology. James gained a first-class Honours degree in biological sciences from the University of Oxford and then volunteered as a shark researcher at the Bimini Biological Field Station. At Bimini, he cut his teeth catching, tagging and tracking sharks, and working with them so closely consolidated his passion and further motivated him to fight for marine conservation.

James then moved to work as a research scientist for SOSF before completing a PhD in marine biology at the University of Plymouth in collaboration with the D’Arros Research Centre. His primary research focus was a comprehensive tagging programme tracking almost 200 sharks of seven different species in Seychelles, aiming to determine the factors that drive their movement behaviour and use this knowledge to inform effective conservation strategies. James’ research has helped to contribute to the design of marine protected areas and has revealed previously unknown open ocean migrations of tiger and bull sharks, highlighting the challenge of managing shark populations that span ocean basins. He continues his research as part of the Evolutionary Ecology Group at the University of Cambridge.

James fully realises the importance of actively promoting awareness of marine conservation issues, so he is particularly excited to lead the Save Our Sea Foundation team to help ensure that we can live with healthy oceans for generations to come.

Sarah Fowler, OBE

Scientific advisor

Sarah Fowler is a scientific advisor for Save Our Seas Foundation and founding trustee of the Shark Trust, which is a UK member of the European Elasmobranch Association. Sarah has worked in marine ecology, conservation and management for over 30 years, and has worked in various capacities for government departments, national and international NGOs and a biodiversity consultancy. She was chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Shark Specialist Group for many years and is now its vice-chair for international treaties. She is also co-founder of the European Elasmobranch Association and was appointed a pew fellow in marine conservation in 2005. In 2004 she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to marine conservation.

Lee Crockett

Executive Director, Shark Conservation Fund

Lee is responsible for designing and implementing programmatic and grantmaking strategies, managing SCF’s grantmaking portfolio, forming strategic partnerships with NGOs and other funders, fundraising, ensuring strong operations and governance, and representing the SCF to governments, NGOs, philanthropists, and the public.

Prior to joining the SCF, Lee spent 20 years working on fisheries management at the state, interstate, federal and international levels with both the US. Government and the non-profit sector. Most recently, he was the Director of U.S. Oceans for The Pew Charitable Trusts where he led Pew’s efforts to establish policies to end overfishing and promote ecosystem-based fisheries management in the U. S. under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the federal law that governs ocean fish management. As director, Crockett oversaw Pew’s U.S. fisheries campaigns in the Northeast, South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Caribbean, and the Pacific.

Lee was also executive director of the Marine Fish Conservation Network and a fishery biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service, leading agency efforts to protect essential fish habitat. He also served as a staff member of the U.S. House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, working on a variety of fisheries, environmental and boating safety issues.