Thread by @BucarLiz

Here’s a thread with some practical tips abt writing fellowship proposals bc no one taught me squat abt this in grad school.

Fellowship = an award that gets you released from teaching and service, usually for an academic yr, so you can focus on your research = THE BEST THING!

I’ve won 4 fellowships since graduating, but I also serve on review panels for national competitions and also help faculty in my college w/ their proposals—folks who have won everything from Guggenheims to "boutique" fellowships. I have read & edited A LOT of proposals!

Before you get started:
1) Buck up butter cup. The chances of winning a fellowship are NOT good. If you expect to win, this is going to be miserable. Instead just TRY. Good news: writing proposals often helps develop new ideas/refine research plans. It is not a waste of time.

2) Know your Institution’s policy on fellowships. I think EVERY institution should have a written generous top-off. Be sure you know what your dean will do if you win a policy. We have a great policy at @NUCSSH (bc I wrote it):
cssh.northeastern.edu/wp-content/upl…

@NUCSSH 3) Plan ahead. I can’t stress enough. A successful proposal cannot be written in a week, or even a month. Draft early and revise often. I think a successful proposal takes as long as writing a journal article. For reals.

@NUCSSH 4) Identify multiple funders. Plan to apply to multiple opportunities over at least 2 cycles. I once did the math: for every award I won I submitted 8 proposals that were not funded. Often it was my second time submitting to the same funder that eventually won. Play the odds.

@NUCSSH 5) Target diverse funders. In my field (humanities) everyone applies to the big dogs (NEH, ACLS, etc) but try to also find fellowship that might be more specific to your topic of research. Work your networks for this information.

@NUCSSH 6) Part of this is luck. You are trying to get yourself into the “fundable” pile (top 30%) but then a lot is out of your control. If you apply more often your chances improve.

@NUCSSH 7) Review successful proposals. A proposal is not the same as journal article or a paper abstract or even a book proposal. So ask your colleagues if you can read their proposals. Funders also often provide samples. You want the $? You have to learn a new way of writing.

@NUCSSH 8) Ask for ltrs of rec early. Your colleagues want to support you but be sure to give them 1-2 month notice. Consider asking a big name but the most important thing is that they know you/your work well. Consider not asking your adviser esp if you can been out awhile.

@NUCSSH OKAY, next group of tips is about the proposal itself: 9) Have a good hook. Start with a problem or question you are going to address with your research.

@NUCSSH 10)Don’t bury your lead. Your first graf should explain the problem, why it matters, and how your research is going to intervene/solve.

@NUCSSH 11) Do not get stuck in the weeds: you don’t need to make the entire argument, just wet the reader’s appetite. Too many details can be frustrating.

@NUCSSH 12) Use vivid language and modulate your rhetoric. Springy and exciting verbs. No jargon. No weak sentences. Vary sentence length. Make big and small points. Every sentence should have a clear purpose. This should be your BEST writing. Write so you don't bore their pants off!

@NUCSSH 13) Your audience is not only a colleague in your field but also the smartest undergraduate you know. Meet them where they are. They don't know what you know but they aren't dumb.

@NUCSSH 14) Break your proposals into sections. This helps the reader, especially if you can use the selection criteria as possible subheadings. Remember: review panelists are often reading a lot of proposals as a volunteer. Make their job easier.

@NUCSSH 15) Sell yourself. Funders not only want to support a great idea, but also a great scholar. Explain why you are the right person to do this work. Providing an account of how you became interest in the materials can be very effective.

@NUCSSH IN SUMMARY--Every fellowship successful proposal does answers a What and 3 Whys:

What is your project?

Why does it matter?

Why now?

Why you?

GOOD LUCK #Academictwitter!

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