Overview

In no more than three sentences, this section will establish the need for and impact of your project. Both must be explained in the most concise terms possible, while still making your points clear and understandable to reviewers. The beginning sentence should be broad; the second and third sentences should focus on your project.

Example: In a global community where economies are interdependent, we need to understand the world in which we live. It is the obligation of our university to prepare students to function in a globalized world, so that they can better meet their responsibilities as citizens. We will augment student competencies in global studies through an interdisciplinary approach.

Purpose

The goal of your project will be stated directly and succinctly in this section. Use a single sentence, followed by a brief rationale statement on why your goal has been chosen. Be sure to use active language.

Example: The purpose of this two-year project is to strengthen and improve instruction in International Studies and the study of foreign languages through curriculum development and faculty enrichment. This interdisciplinary effort will expand the understanding of cultures and languages throughout all disciplines.

Expected Objectives

This is the “meat” of the abstract, so devote most of your allotted space to this section. In four or five sentences, describe three measurable objectives that demonstrate how you will achieve the goal. This is your promise to the donor about what you will do to solve the problem for which you are seeking the grant.

Example: We will augment student competencies in order for them to function successfully in a global economy. This will be accomplished via curriculum revision, which will create eight linked courses that will enroll 25 students per course over a two year period. In addition, foreign language instruction will take place through the infusion of 16 “Languages Across the Curriculum” courses. To fortify interdisciplinarity, collaboration and coordination between courses and disciplines, a learning community will be developed. Students and faculty will meet once per week in open forum discussions about specific international topics viewed from various perspectives.

Activities

Two to three sentences will summarize the major activities that you expect to undertake in order to reach your objectives. The plan of operation within your proposal will relay further details, therefore, choose only your strongest activities for use in the abstract.

Example: We will establish a minor in Global Studies to augment foreign language instruction via the expansion of the “Languages Across the Curriculum” project. To ensure that voices from various cultures and disciplines are present on campus, four distinguished scholars from diverse parts of the world will be invited over a nine month period each year. Faculty will collaborate with their international colleagues in order to globalize their research and curriculum.  

Conclusion

In one or two sentences, summarize why your project is important. Do this by tying your idea back to the issue you mentioned in the introductory sentence. No new information should be added here; you simply need to unify the sections. Stock phrases like “In conclusion…”, or “Taken together, these results show…” may be used to finish your abstract neatly.

Example: In conclusion, this project will build bridges across disciplines as a result of the curriculum development, faculty enrichment and student competencies in international studies. In doing so, this project will influence the entire community by infusing the college’s intellectual life with a deeper appreciation of other cultures, languages, and the international issues that make the planet interdependent.

With respect to style, I suggest that you aim for an average of 16 words per sentence. Each of your sentences should be short enough to be read aloud without pausing for breath. You want to keep the reader’s attention at all times. Ask others to read the finished product to determine where clarification might be needed. It should end with an impactful sentence the reviewers will remember as they begin reading the full narrative of your proposal. Above all, a great abstract is conveyed concisely and in a manner that is easy to follow.

The post The Abstract: First Impression that Seals Your Fate appeared first on Grant Training Center Blog.

Being able to describe your proposal in this abbreviated style signifies that you have mastered your idea and can describe it succinctly. If you feel that your idea is too complicated to describe in a few minutes, chances are you will not be able to write an effective abstract, specific aims, or project summary. No matter what your topic is or who your constituents are, answering the following questions will help you compose a successful elevator pitch.

What is your idea?

Your idea should emerge from a well-researched problem. The question should follow the problem. For example, if you have a research question, you should identify the phenomenon to be studied: Can changes in diet and upbringing compensate for genetic abnormalities? Or, in the case of the attendee in my Chicago workshop: How can we create accommodating sports activities for physically disabled children?

What is the significance or importance of your request?

Does the project address an important problem or a critical barrier to progress in the field or area? If the aims or objectives of the research or project are achieved, how will knowledge, technical capability, or behaviors in your area improve? How will successful completion of the aims or objectives change the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventive interventions that drive your field?

Who will be in charge of the project?

Project leadership depends on expertise and experience. Examples of good performances in the past should be relayed in your elevator pitch. Demonstrating a record of accomplishments will speak to your credibility, a major selling point for many donors.

How innovative is your idea?

Having a fresh and new approach with the power to shift paradigms is critical for NIH and NSF researchers. A new approach to serving the beneficiaries of an intervention can influence donors in the same way. Also, leveraging models that have worked for other fields or disciplines could be part of a convincing argument. You will need to stress how your idea is compelling, urgent, and needed.

What is the environment?

Donors understand that inappropriate or unprepared facilities can spoil what would otherwise have been a successful project, and will want assurances that this is not the case. Will your work environment contribute to the probability of success? If so, include this information in your pitch.

What will be the Overall impact?

Close your pitch with the overall impact your project will have. How will the end result of your work have a powerful influence in your field? What will be the ongoing effect on the lives of your beneficiaries? Depending on your idea, you should also address the broader impacts your idea will have on your community, society, or even other researchers.

With thoughtful preparation, you can condense your proposal into a few key points. Emphasizing everyday relevance, tailoring the speech to the audience, and using simple terms and analogies can turn a muddled, dissertation-length discussion into a punchy two-minute pitch. Turning a complex idea into a simple concept is the ultimate goal of an elevator pitch, and doing so proves you have command of the project or research.

The post Why should I have an Elevator Pitch? appeared first on Grant Training Center Blog.