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Successful Writing Groups

Writing groups are a great way to improve the proposal development experience. Peers can share funding opportunities, review drafts, find templates, as well as provide accountability and encouragement to submit the proposal. For a successful writing group, use the below list of topics to guide an initial conversation with your writing group to establish guidelines and set the group up for success.

  • Identify group members. Establish a committed group of writing peers. Work together to set the goals and parameters of the group.
  • Individual writing goals. What do you need to have written in the next week, month, quarter, and year? Breaking up a proposal in to separate components can make the proposal development process more manageable.
  • Group goals. Is this group intended to provide protected quiet writing time or as a space for discussion on proposal development challenges or to provide regular peer-review opportunities?
  • Feedback expectations. If there will be a significant amount of peer-reviewing expected of group members, discuss what kind of feedback is expected and when. Be careful not to create too much extra work for colleagues.
  • Group member responsibilities. Will there be a facilitator at each meeting, writing requirements, or peer-review feedback expectations? Is attendance at each meeting mandatory?
  • Location. Will you meet at a campus library, a reserved room on campus, a coffee shop, someone’s house, or a new location each time? Another alternative is to meet virtually or have phone check-ins.
  • Timeline. Will this group meet monthly for the next year; weekly for the next quarter; daily for the next week; or something in between?

Looking for postdocs to participate in your grant writing group? Consider attending a Postdoc Fellowship Forum.

Proposition 209 Compliance

In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories. All programs and initiatives coordinated by the University of California Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs are designed and implemented in full compliance with Proposition 209 and the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy.

More information about Proposition 209 can be found here.

More information about the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy can be found here.