Beyond copy/paste: elevate your Horizon Europe health research grant application with integrity and innovation

Introduction

At year's end, I was engaged in the re-submission of a research grant proposal that hadn't initially secured funding. The Coordinator, recognizing a new call for proposals aligned with the project idea, mobilized the partner organizations for a renewed application effort. One sentence in the early correspondence struck me: "I suppose that in most cases, we have just to copy and paste what was reported in the previous proposal."

Having supported hundreds of health and biomedical researchers over the last twenty years, I'm no stranger to this routine, especially when re-submitting previously unfunded proposals. There were moments when even I felt the pull of this shortcut, thinking, "I've articulated these thoughts before; why must I reinvent the wheel?" But does this approach truly save time, or does it compromise the potential success of the project? Is it worth it?

"Consciousness" is a guiding principle for me, implying that it's acceptable to reuse material, but only with a clear understanding of certain principles. Otherwise, this shortcut could backfire tremendously.

Four reasons to avoid copying/pasting text from previous research grants

1. Tailoring the proposal: Every call for proposal has unique objectives and addresses distinct needs. Customizing each health research grant application to the specific call is crucial for enhancing effectiveness. What was included in a prior grant was tailored to that specific call's goals and requirements. When tempted to reuse content from a previous grant, critically evaluate if those elements are still relevant or if they might detract from the current application's focus. This critical approach should apply to all parts of the proposal, from the state of the art to the project communication strategy.
2. Demonstrating commitment: There is nothing worst that stumbling upon an out-of-place acronym or a reference to an unrelated sector while reading a grant proposal. These are clear signs of copying/pasting without due scrutiny. Such carelessness in reusing text from previous grants can introduce inconsistencies in the writing style and in the work plan. Crafting a unique proposal that showcases your passion, dedication, and comprehensive understanding of the research demonstrates to funding agencies your commitment to the project. Failing to do so not only diminishes your credibility but also undermines trust in your research findings and erodes confidence in the authenticity and rigor of your work.
3. Avoiding plagiarism: I remember reading a funded project and identifying an entire section copied from another initiative I was previously involved in. This is unequivocal plagiarism. Even borrowing the structure of another's work, or shuffling their words around, falls into this category. While taking inspiration is permissible, it's essential to understand the content deeply enough to rephrase it authentically. Plagiarism not only breaches ethical standards but also harms a researcher's professional reputation. Funders are now employing plagiarism detection tools, so maintaining ethical practices is crucial for a trusted scientific community. You must understand the difference between plagiarism and the proper reuse of their work, learning how to ethically integrate past research into new grant proposals without compromising originality.
4. Limiting creativity: Copying/pasting from a previous application may seem like a quick fix for writer's block. Filling in the blank spaces in the template makes you feel happy and excited, right? I know the feeling. But I also know that relying on recycled contents can limit your creative process. While filling out a template with recycled content might be satisfying initially, it prevents the emergence of new ideas and hinder innovative perspectives and approaches to the research topic that could enhance your proposal.

Conclusion

To foster genuine innovation and originality in Horizon Europe health research proposals, researchers should invest time and effort into each new application. Each new grant application presents an opportunity to think afresh and innovate. Originality, credibility, and ethical considerations should be at the forefront of grant proposal preparation. The copy/paste approach is a false remedy for writer's block; instead, embrace brainstorming, collaboration, and interdisciplinary approaches to unlock new insights and ideas.

Image by Ryan Snaadt on Unsplash