Led by PhD candidate Kenny Noguchi (School of Rehabilitation Science), a group of engaged MIRA Trainee Network members came together between October 2022 and April 2023 to learn and practice the breadth of skills required to prepare a convincing grant application in the field of aging.
“We all know that grant writing is a vital skill to succeed in academia. Sadly, it isn’t something graduate students are often taught,” says Noguchi. “Things like writing a letter of intent, budgeting, or even picking the right funding agency are nuances to grant writing that only come with experience.”
Through the MIRA Trainee Grant Writing Workshop, trainees first heard from experts across McMaster about critical aspects of preparing a targeted, fundable research grant, and the inner workings of how grants are reviewed by both the University and funding agencies. Following a full-day kick-off session in October, teams of trainees worked collaboratively to write mock interdisciplinary applications in the field of aging. Teams were further supported with a series of presentations on research methodologies and statistical analysis; forming a team; engaging older adults and other stakeholders; writing compelling rationales and research questions; knowledge mobilization; equity, diversity and inclusion; and much more.
“The MIRA grant workshop was a great real-world experience,” says Isabel Rodrigues, a postdoctoral fellow with the Geras Centre for Aging Research and a member of the MIRA Trainee Network. “I developed and practiced grant writing skills, but also connected with mentors and trainees to expand my research network.”
The workshop series was funded by MIRA to further empower trainees as leaders in their own training at McMaster and to help propel their careers after leaving. A core skill for every successful faculty researcher, grant writing is also a highly transferable skillset beyond academia — where advanced degrees are becoming increasingly sought after. By the end of the workshop, teams had prepared complete grant applications and were given feedback on their submissions.
“This workshop owes it’s success to the leadership of MIRA Trainee Kenny Noguchi,” says Audrey Patocs, research manager at MIRA. “Kenny saw the entire process through — from writing a compelling proposal to fund the workshop with a MIRA Trainee Planning Grant, to developing the curriculum and operationalizing his vision. This program was truly for trainees, by trainees, and MIRA is pleased to have supported it.”
“As a PhD student myself, I never took a course about improving my grant writing skills, simply because not many exist,” reflects Noguchi. “That’s why I designed this interactive workshop — to help graduate students like me learn about the process and improve their confidence in grant writing.”
MIRA Trainees who completed the workshop
Group 1: Jennifer Williams, Michael Kamal, Jayati Khattar, Isabel Rodrigues
Group 2: Darly Dash, Sofya Ermolina, Diane Begin
Group 3: Sophia Werden Abrams, Myanca Rodrigues, Ahreum Lee
