Crafting a Winning ICGEB Grant Proposal
The ICGEB vision is Science for Development. As the leading intergovernmental organisation for research, training and technology transfer in Life Sciences and Biotechnology, we combine scientific research with capacity enhancement to promote sustainable global development.
What do we look for in a grant proposal? Learn more about submitting successful invitations.
What we look for in a grant proposal
Proposals submitted to ICGEB should meet the following criteria:
- address specific questions within Life Sciences;
- be concise;
- present a clear hypothesis;
- be realistic, proposing goals that can be achieved within the proposed time;
- propose original, novel studies;
- attention will be given to those projects addressing issues of special relevance for the host country or of specific regional interest, and those presented by groups collaborating across more than one country.
Proposals that are unclear or illogical, very descriptive, or unrealistic in their objectives or time proposed will not be funded.
Projects based on a screening approach should be accompanied by a sound and detailed follow-up plan/fallback position in case of failure of the primary screen.
“The ICGEB Grant was a turning point for the laboratory allowing the team to widen the scope of research and set up additional facilities for the benefit of the entire region.”
Topics of interest to ICGEB
The programme provides support for research projects in:
- basic life sciences
- human and animal healthcare
- industrial biotechnology
- agricultural biotechnology
- bioenergy
How to prepare/write your application
Begin by ensuring you have sufficient preliminary data to support your proposal, as this is often overlooked but highly valued by reviewers.
Next, read the guidelines and application form carefully to understand exactly what information is required and how it should be presented.
Before submission, ask a colleague to review your application and provide feedback, which can help improve clarity and strengthen your proposal.
Key considerations:
- Include all requested information about the Principal Investigator so that reviewers can assess your proposal thoroughly. The section on the papers published is particularly important.
- Summary and abstract: These are the first sections of the research project to be read by the reviewers, and not all reviewers will be experts in your field of research or the techniques you propose. A concise, clear, and organised text will help them to grasp/understand your project.
- Introduction & Research project: Provide sufficient background information to enable all reviewers to understand your proposed work.
- The originality/importance of the proposed theme should be clearly indicated. If you propose studies already carried out by other groups, make sure you indicate in which aspects/approaches your proposal differs from ongoing studies and why ICGEB should therefore fund your project.
- Make sure your proposal is well organised and presented logically. All the sections should fit together. Use simple, clear sentences; avoid using jargon.
- Schedule: Be realistic in proposing your specific goals and ensure that your aims can be accomplished within the proposed time and with the resources available/requested.
- Training Component: Training is an important element for ICGEB. Specify the training to be carried out (number and qualifications of potential trainees, techniques to be learned, etc.).
- Collaborations: Clearly state any established collaborations that will be part of the project and detail the contributions from each collaborator. A letter confirming the collaboration would be an additional asset. This section is particularly important when the PI does not have experience in the proposed field or techniques tobe provided by a collaborator.
- Facilities available: Provide a detailed list of the infrastructure, personnel, and equipment available in your Institution and necessary for the proposed research. Indicate if facilities provided by other Institutions/organisations will be made available. Mention any additional funding or resources your Institute will provide for the project (e.g., support for a technician, PhD students, etc.)
- Feasibility: Ensure the personnel involved have the expertise to carry out the proposed research.
Provide details on the field of expertise of the PI and each individual member of the research team - Budget: Read the guidelines carefully and list only expenses justified by the proposed research.
Do not request funds for costs not covered by the grant or exceeding the limits set for the four budget categories.
“Moving back to Vietnam, I was able to set up my laboratory in the Agricultural Forestry University, also thanks to an ICGEB CRP Grant.”
Brief Summary of Key Points and Takeaways
Successful ICGEB grant proposals are clear, concise, original, and realistic, with a well-defined hypothesis and achievable goals within the proposed timeframe. Projects must address specific Life Sciences questions, align with ICGEB’s priority research areas, and, ideally, demonstrate regional relevance and international collaboration. Proposals that are vague, overly descriptive, illogical, or unrealistic will not be funded, and screening-based projects must include strong follow-up plans.
Strong applications are built on solid preliminary data, careful adherence to guidelines, and clear, logical organisation. Reviewers value well-written summaries and abstracts, clear demonstration of originality and importance, realistic timelines, and justified budgets. Particular emphasis is placed on the training component, the feasibility of the work, the team’s expertise, and the availability of adequate facilities and collaborations. Overall, clarity, feasibility, and relevance are critical to funding success.