Abstract

One of the main challenges in Pre-Award is (mis)communication with researchers. The multiple deadlines and the competition faced daily can overshadow the importance of familiarising with the intricacies of bid development when preparing a proposal. However, having a 360-degree understanding of how pre-award processes work is crucial to ensure competitive, high-quality proposals.

The lack of process understanding can cause friction between academics and their strongest allies: Grants/Research Managers. When working together, the misalignment between the two can be materialised through remarks on behalf of the researchers that leave Grants/Research Managers baffled: “Why should I worry about bid development processes?” “I have been hired for the science, why am I expected to waste time on admin?”

This discussion table aims to trigger debates around such issues by providing a platform to share best practices across countries and institutions. The discussion will start with the presentation of a solution implemented at The Francis Crick Institute in London (the Crick): a year-long training programme for junior researchers called 'PD-2-PI' (PostDoc to Principal Investigator). Such a scheme includes tailor-made activities to teach researchers how to become an independent Principal Investigator. As a former Grants Manager at the Crick, my participation to the programme involved presentations and master classes in a module: 'Introduction to Independent Research Funding.' This comprised two separate moments. Firstly, a theoretical lecture on how project budgeting works (by touching on national and international funding schemes); secondly, a 'practical surgery' activity implying the writing and budgeting of hypothetical proposals with assignments and in-class group feedback.

Being part of such a programme has had positive outcomes for my current role at King's College London (KCL), where I have faced some resistance around pre-award process improvement. By thinking outside the box, some of the lessons learned at the Crick have been adapted to KCL with positive results: improved communication with researchers; stronger grant-writing skills for researchers; enhanced public-speaking abilities for Grants/Research Managers.