Dreaming big, writing bold: Empowering researchers to end the HIV epidemic through grant writing
“Until the lions tell their own story, the story of the hunt will glorify only the hunter.” - Chinua Achebe
Juliet Iwelunmor, PhD
Although it might seem discordant, according to Juliet Iwelunmor, Midwest D-CFAR co-director, the above quote applies directly to research grant writing. “It exemplifies an aspect of grant writing that engages almost all grant writers. It suggests that becoming a grant writer would require a shift in perspective, not just as a mere spectator of the hunt, but an active participant whose own story matters,” she explained.
And Iwelunmor knows a lot about grant writing. To date, she has written more than 70 grants, some that were funded and many that were not. According to her, she has learned the most from the ones that failed.
She shared her knowledge with 13 researchers from WashU, SLU, Harris-Stowe State University, and University of Missouri St. Louis for one week in November 2024.
The group gathered virtually for four days in a row to do what Toni Morrison would describe as “dreaming the world as it ought to be,” but this time, through writing grants.
Grant writing demands persistence and passion, so Iwelunmor encouraged participants to share their aspirations for their research and grants they hoped to receive. These dreams form the foundation of the grant-writing process, evolving into detailed plans that guide their efforts. “Crafting such plans requires careful attention, respect, and trust,” Iwelunmor shared.
At the start of the training, attendees received a quick introduction to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the most significant funder of health-related research in the US. Because the NIH is made up of 27 institutes and centers, each with its own research priorities and agendas, participants were asked to identify the NIH institute that would be most likely to fund the research they wanted to conduct. They also thought through and outlined their grant’s focus, potential collaborators, beneficiaries, and the resources needed to bring their ideas to life.
As the week progressed, participants learned to break down the essentials of a specific aim, significance, and innovation section and discussed why the approach section remains the quintessential foundation of any grant. Attendees also provided feedback to each other, discussing their process to date while remaining open, curious, and attentive.
Following the success of this training, another is scheduled for spring 2025. More details are forthcoming, so subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Linkedin if you would like to be among the first to know about them!
Written by the Midwest D-CFAR team.