An academic grant writer is a medical communicator who is hired for their medical writing or editing skills to support either an academic scientist or a department (typically within a research institution or university/school).
Grant writers and editors help to ensure that research grant proposals satisfy the funder’s guidelines and provide a clear, concise, evidence-based message about why the research should be funded.
In addition, grant writers and editors help to ensure that the grant proposal communicates the significance of the proposed ideas within the broader landscape of a scientific field.
The ultimate goal of the grant writer or editor is to ensure that the science shines through by helping to remove the idiosyncratic writing style of a scientist and allowing the reader to focus on the science.
A good grant writer must understand the subject matter. This does not mean you must be a subject matter expert, but it does mean that you will need to become very familiar with the subject. You should be able to understand both the data and the conclusions that can be drawn from those data.
As you can see from the multiple, overlapping skills, being a grant writer requires a strong understanding of grammar and science and attention to detail. You also need to be able to ask the right questions and discern the story behind the science.
Grant writers and editors may work directly with individual scientists. Each scientist who works with a grant writer or editor dictates the level of involvement required. You should be prepared to help with any or all of the components of a grant proposal.
Grant writers and editors may also work with a group of scientists who collaborate to submit a research proposal. First drafts of major components of proposals may be written by different scientists, and these drafts will need to be incorporated into the final proposal. Thus, it is incumbent on the writer or editor to ensure that the proposal maintains one voice and that specific terms are used consistently.
The 3 main tasks of an academic grant writer are writing, editing, and coordinating. These tasks are important whether you are working with an individual or a team.
Academic grant writers and editors provide important support to research scientists. By helping scientists communicate the significance of their research, they play a vital role in securing funding for scientific discoveries.