Are there other common mistakes that beginning grant writers make?
Unfocused writing ranks right up there with the overly ambitious proposal on the “to-be-avoided” list. In fact, the two problems often go together. Lack of focus frequently results from having too many general-sounding aims, i.e., being ambitious without being specific. (Incidentally, unfocused writing is the major correctable fault of more experienced investigators as well.) Most of us have difficulty recognizing when our writing is unfocused. The best help comes from having an intelligent nonexpert (experienced grant writer from another discipline) read the proposal. If he/she can understand what you’ve written, the chances are good that you are well focused. Read other successful applications submitted to the same grant maker, and if possible the written critiques of those successful grants, to see what the reviewers are looking for.
