How to Write a Winning Abstract for Grant Applications

Elena Kallestinova, PhD. Graduate School Writing Center

The Challenge of Obtaining Funding

Reviewers Expectations at Initial Reading

Interesting, innovative ideas that would contribute to the field; Solid data showing that the approach has promise; Evidence that the PI is well qualified to do the research. A crisp, specific project description with a research plan that is well thought out; Writing that is clear and concise.

The Reality of the Grant Review Process

NIH Reviewers:
20 100 proposals for reading; 6 8 proposals as primary reviewers.

A grant application is not science; it is the marketing of science.

-J.L. Ferrara and A.H. Schmaier

Grant Writing as Genre of Academic Writing Type : Persuasive writing;

Purpose: to persuade proposal reviewers to
fund the proposed research

Reviewers Remarks*
The abstract must sell the grant. If I dont get interested by the first page, the proposal is lost.
* NIH study section reviewers comments; from Robert Porter, 2005. What Do Grant Reviewers Really Want, Anyway?

Abstracts are very important!

All your peer reviewers read your abstract. Abstracts are used to decide where to assign your application. They show the importance and relevance of your research.

Abstract Writing
Structure of an abstract; Types of Abstracts; Writing Principles; Hands-on exercises.

Function of the Abstract

The function of the abstract is to describe succinctly every major aspect of the proposed project.

Structure of the Abstract

Brief background; Problem Objectives and hypotheses; Preliminary results; Methodology and/or strategy; Significance and innovation;

Signals of the Structure

Problem has not been determined is unclear X is limited by The questions remains whether Objective Our objective is We propose to We will examine the hypothesis that Strategy We will achieve this goal by Specifically, we will by Our general strategy is to Significance or impact is important for These results may play a role in Y can be used to will provide insights into

Example
Background Global warming is arguably one of the most pressing concerns of our time. However, we lack an effective model Problem to predict precisely by how much the temperature will rise as a consequence of the increased levels of CO2 and other factors. The width of this range is due to several uncertainties in different elements of the climate models, including the variability in the Suns rate of energy output. To gain greater insight into the relationship between solar Objective energy output and global temperature, we propose to launch the internationally led ABC satellite in April 2012. Our aim is to collect for 2 years data on the solar diameter and shape, oscillations, and photospheric temperature Strategy variation. We will assess these data to model solar variability. Our findings will dramatically advance our Significance understanding of solar activity and its climate effects.

Example
X is a major human pathogen, which infects over 100 million people per year, leading to high morbidity and mortality. Current therapies for X are expensive, poorly tolerated, and only partially effective in controlling the pathogens and in Problem statement limiting disease. Recently, we and other succeeded in establishing a system to grow X in is missing cell culture. These systems will allow us to completely dissect the life cycle of X. Our initial characterization of cell culture-produced X Objective indicates unusual physical properties. is missing Understanding of Xs life cycle will aid in the development of improved pharmaceuticals.

Types of Abstracts
Technical Abstracts Lay Abstracts

The same content

Written for federal agencies; Contain shorter background sections; Elaborate on preliminary results, research strategies and specific aims. Written for private foundation and corporations; Should be widely understandable; Contain longer background sections and significance sections.

Background Section
Lay Abstract
Emphysema is a major subset of chronic obstructive lung disease, predicted to reach epidemic proportions by 2020. The condition develops in most people over the age of 35 and can lead to the loss of oxygen exchange, lung enlargement, and, if severe, complete respiratory failure. Cigarette smoke, pollutants, and gender are thought to be important determinants of the severity of the disorder.

Technical Abstract
Most people over the age of 35 years exhibit emphysema, a major manifestation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cigarette smoke, pollutants, and gender are thought to be important determinants of the severity of the disorder.

Problem Section
Technical Abstract
Curative therapies or reliable diagnostic biomarkers do not exist for emphysema/ COPD.

Lay Abstract
Disease-altering treatment or reliable diagnostic features that can be used to measure the progress of the disease have not yet been determined.

Objective Section
Lay Abstract
Therefore, we propose to identify new diagnostic or therapeutic targets for emphysema by exploring its underlying mechanisms.

Technical Abstract
Our objective is to identify new diagnostic or therapeutic targets for emphysema by applying our recent discovery of novel molecules in mouse models to humans.

Preliminary Results Section

Technical Abstract
Aging or cigarette smoke-exposed mice exhibit lung changes that partially mimic human emphysema, and mice deficient in toll-like receptor Z, a canonical receptor for lipopolysaccharides, exhibit an accelerated form of spontaneous, age-induced emphysema. We hypothesize that the synergistic or addictive effects of age and smoking on Z function in susceptible individuals may explain the pathogenesis and temporal characteristics of emphysema. We have identified to molecules regulated by Z, an oxidant-generating enzyme (X) and a protease (y), and implicated both in the pathogenesis of emphysema in mice.

Lay Abstract
Using genetically altered mouse models, we have recently discovered two novel molecules involved in the development of lung emphysema, X and Y. We found that a substantial increase in these molecules destroys lung tissue, resulting in emphysema. Interestingly, both molecules are controlled by a specific cell wall structure (receptor Z).

Strategy Section
Technical Abstract
This proposal will directly build on and expand our pilot findings. Specifically, we will first confirm the role of Z, X, and Y in the pathogenesis of age-induced and cigarette smoke-induced emphysema and validate their roles as therapeutic targets. Subsequently, we will analyze molecular interactions of these molecules in young and aged people in relation to cigarette exposure, gender, and emphysema/COPD.

Lay Abstract
We believe that the synergistic or additive effects of age and cigarette smoke on Zs function may explain disease development and characteristics.

Significance Section
Lay Abstract
Analysis of the role of receptor Z, as well as those of X and Y, in ageinduced and cigarette smokeinduced emphysema will provide insights into the underlying mechanism of the disorder and may ultimately lead to the identification of novel targets for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Technical Abstract
These studies will provide important insights into the pathophysiologic mechanisms of emphysema, ultimately leading to the identification of novel targets for diagnostic or therapeutic interventions.

Type Differences
Technical Abstracts
Assume background knowledge; Few justifications; Extensive use of terminology; Few definitions and examples; Few linking phrases.

Lay Abstracts
Require background; Frequent initial purpose clauses; Terminology is used with caution; More definitions and examples; Wide range of linking phrases.

Avoid in abstracts:
Any information not covered in your proposal; Any confidential information; Graphs or images; Citations.

Common Problems with Abstracts

Writing problems Excessive length; Unclear sentences.

From Wordy to Concise Sentences

Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.
William Strunk, Jr. in Elements of Style

Tips to Avoid Wordy Abstracts

Level of Vocabulary; Level of Grammar; Level of Content.

Avoid Redundancies
circle around; final outcome; new innovations; particular interest; summarize briefly; shorter/longer in length; puzzling in nature; already existing; completely eliminate; basic fundamentals; estimates roughly at; period of time; main essentials; true facts.

Avoid Abbreviated Redundancies

HIV virus = Human Immunodeficiency Virus; AIDS syndrome = Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome; CPU unit = Central Processing Unit;

Avoid Useless and Emotional Intensifiers

Really, always, very, quite, extremely, severely, clearly, certainly, essentially, actually: The results clearly show that the protein was absent in the fraction. The results show that Our results may indicate that siRNA duplex possibly caused an RNA interference effect. Our results suggest that siRNA duplex causes an RNA interference effect.

Use Simpler Vocabulary

A large number of Along the lines As a general rule Exhibits the ability On the occasion of Is equipped with In the light of the fact = many; = like; = generally; = can; = when; = contains; = because.

Level of Grammar
Trim your clauses or phrases.

Omit Overview Phrases and Sentences

Recent studies described/reported that The experiment shows that Our recent studies reported that intracellular calcium is released when adipocytes are stimulated with insulin. (15 words) Intracellular calcium is released when adipocytes are stimulated with insulin. (10 words)

Shorten Which/that clauses

We found a signature marker, which was the interleukin-7 receptor alpha-chain, that distinguished the subset of effector cells that would survive and develop into memory CD8 T cells from those that would die. We found a signature marker, the interleukin-7 receptor alpha-chain, that distinguished the subset of effector cells surviving and developing into memory CD8 T cells.

Avoid Expletive Constructions there is/are or it is

There is fellowship training in Allergy and Clinical Immunology and Pulmonary Medicine at Yale University. Yale University provides fellowship training in Allergy and Clinical immunology and Pulmonary Medicine.

Level of Content
Condense background; Omit or subordinate less important information:
Definitions; Experimental preparations; Details on methods; Exact data; Confirmatory results; Comparisons with previous studies.

Clarity and Simplicity of Your Ideas

The abstract should distil the essential elements of the research project into short, concise, and clear statements.

Your reviewer is reading through the proposals, but shes left at the last moment. Its 6 a.m. on the day shes flying to Washington. Shes sitting at the bus stop, its raining, she has the flu, and shes got your proposal in front of her. Your writing should be able to persuade her that this is a great proposal, even under those conditions. (Brett Tyler, Virginia Bioinformatics Institute).

Clarity and Simplicity of Your Ideas

Level of Vocabulary

Most unclear sentences result from nominalizations:

Verbs:
discover resist react fly different proficient important careless discovery, resistance, reaction, flying. difference, proficiency, importance, carelessness.

Adjectives:

Put the Action into the Verb

Sentences with action verbs are natural, direct, and easy to understand. Make decision - decide

Cause a decrease - decreased Be a failure Have a tendency - fail - tend

Avoid Weak Verbs

be, have, do, make, cause, provide, get, seem
Example 1. An increase in heart rate occurred. Heart rate increased. Example 2. These studies contributed to the identification of the cellular progenitors of memory CD8 T cells.. These studies helped to identify the cellular progenitors of memory CD8 T cells.

Avoid Noun Clusters

Nouns are commonly used as modifiers: Blood flow; Protein metabolism; Lung function. Do not add another noun to an existing noun pair: Filament length variability Air space phospholipid pool

Untangling Noun Clusters

Filament length variability Variability of filament length Air space phospholipid pool Phospholipid pool in the air space Chronic sheep experiments Chronic experiments in sheep

Choose your words wisely:

affect vs. effect; among vs. between; since vs. before; interval vs. period How smoking affects the health is still a matter if concern to physicians. (to act on or influence) We studied the effect of the X on MZ1 cells. (a result condition)

Avoid Ungrammatical Forms of Words

Words with the suffixes ability, -zation, ology or -ized. Changeability of X occurs when Y is added. X can change when Y is added.

Keep abbreviations to a minimum

MPTP is converted by MAOB to MPP, which reaches SNpc nerve cells via DA uptake systems.

Level of Grammar

For snoring?! Hell, thats nothing. I once shot a man for ending a sentence in a preposition.

Avoid phrases or clauses between the subject and the predicate

Sentences are better understood if the subject and verb are not interrupted.
Estrogen, through engagement of membrane receptors, stimulates rapid endothelial cell signaling. Estrogen stimulates rapid endothelial cell signaling through engagement of membrane receptors.

Write Shorter Sentences

Easy to understand ( 20-22 words); Emphasize the idea; Weigh more; It is generally accepted in the field of medicine that rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disease. Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disease.

Level of Content

Use Clear Pronouns

Avoid missing pronoun antecedents.
We have a clearer understanding of the signals controlling formation of memory CD8 T cells during bacterial infection, and this will greatly impact new generation vaccines and immunotherapies. This knowledge will greatly impact new generation vaccines and immunotherapies.

Avoid ambiguous pronoun antecedents

Laboratory animals are not susceptible to these diseases, so research on them is hampered. Research on these diseases is hampered because laboratory animals are not susceptible to them.

Avoid ambiguous comparisons

Our results are similar to previous studies. Our results are similar to the results of previous studies. Our results are similar to those of previous studies.

Go From Old to New

Begin sentences with information

familiar to your reader. End sentences with information that readers cannot anticipate.
Volcanic pipes are composed of a deep narrow cone. a. Solidified magma usually fills the cone. b. The cone is usually filled with solidified magma.

Example
Macular degeneration is affected by diet. a. Vitamin B6 is one of the diet components that influences the progression of macular degeneration b. One of the diet components that influences the progression of macular degeneration is vitamin B6.

Checkpoint
Abstract does not omit any part; It is written with the reader in mind; It meets the word count limitations; Its ideas are clearly expressed.

Task

Timeline (months before submission)

From S.K. Inouye and D.A. Fiellin. 2005. An Evidence-Based Guide to Writing Grant Proposals for Clinical Research.

References
Barnard, Stephanie, et al. 2001. Writing, Speaking, Communication Skills for Health Professionals. Yale University Press. Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. 2008. The Craft of Research. The University of Chicago Press. Hofmann, Angelika. 2009. Scientific Writing and Communication. Oxford University Press. Zeiger, Mimi. 2000. Essentials of Writing Biomedical Research Papers. McGraw-Hill Companies. Williams, Joseph M. 2007 Style: Lessons in Clarity. Pearson, Longman. Robert Porter, 2005. What Do Grant Reviewers Really Want, Anyway? Journal of Research Administration, April. Inouye, Sharon K. and David A. Fiellin. 2005. An Evidence-Based Guide to Writing Grant Proposals for Clinical Research. Annals of Internal Medicine, 142:274-82. Ferrara J.L. and A.H. Schmaier. 2002. Hematology grants workshop. Hematology American Society Hematology Education Program, 484-9. Strunk, William. Elements of Style. Ithaca, N.Y.: Priv. print. [Geneva, N.Y.: Press of W.P. Humphrey], 1918; Bartleby.com, 1999. www.bartleby.com/141/. Most of the examples are taken and adapted for educational purposes from NIH Abstract Reporter of funded grant proposals publicly available at www.projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter.cfm.