Writing Help

Crafting a successful proposal requires elegantly framing an argument for funding a unique contribution to knowledge. Explore the resources below to enhance your academic writing skills and excel in proposal development.

Readings on Academic Writing

  •  (Pinker, audio interview, The Economist, Oct 8 2014)
  •  (Pinker, The Chronicle of Higher Education, September 26, 2014)

Resources for Grant Writing + Proposal Development

  • : Detailed strategies and advice from a SSHRC expert panel talk given in 2013. Click the link to download a printable version.
  • : The focus for this resource is across the pond; however, videos, live chats, presentations, and a book offer generalizable information for academics wanting to improve their grant writing skills.
  • (Education Research Archive)
  • (Grant Assist Program workshop)

Articles + Columns

  • (Jakob et al., 2010)
  • (Henson, 2003)
  • (Feng & Shi, 2004)

Books

  • Effective Grants Management (Ward, 2010)
  • Developing Effective Research Proposals (Punch, 2008)
  • Grant Proposal Makeover: Transform Your Request from No to Yes (Clarke, 2007)
  • Proposals That Work: A Guide for Planning Dissertations and Grant Proposals (5th ed.) (Locke, Spirduso & Silverman, 2007)
  • The Complete Book of Grant Writing: Learn to Write Grants Like a Professional(Smith & Works, 2006)
  • Models of Proposal Planning & Writing (Miner & Miner, 2005)
  • Successful Grant Writing: Strategies for Health and Human Service Professionals (Gitlin & Lyons, 2004)
  • Grant Writing in Higher Education: A Step-by-Step Guide (Henson, 2004)
  • Webster's New World Grant Writing Handbook (Wason, 2004)
  • How to Write a Grant Proposal (New & Quick, 2003)
  • Research Proposals: A Guide to Success (3rd ed.) (Ogden & Goldberg, 2002)

Knowledge Mobilization

  • : Network connecting universities, communities, and government.

Writing Retreats

If you find yourself more productive and focused when writing off-campus and away from distractions, consider a writing retreat for you and your research team. Explore the following venues, offering serene surroundings and amenities to support your writing process:

  • (417 km south-west of Edmonton)
  • (15 minutes southwest of Edmonton)
  • (Winfield, Alberta)
  • (Jasper National Park)
  • (40 minutes west of Edmonton)
  • (St. Albert, Alberta)
  • : Database for local, national, and international retreats and venues