Dr. Judith Ifunanya Ani Facilitates Grant-Writing Session at a Climate Change Conference
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – February 24, 2025 – The Research Associate and Partnership Lead at the DePECOS Institutions and Development Research Centre (DIaDeRC), Dr. Judith Ifunanya Ani took center stage as a facilitator at the Glotan-Durban University of Technology Joint Conference on Climate Change and Economic Management for a Sustainable Future. With her extensive expertise in research and grant writing, she led an engaging session on Writing Grant-Winning Proposals, equipping scholars and researchers with the necessary tools to secure funding for impactful projects.
Her presentation delved into the fundamental aspects of crafting a compelling research proposal, emphasizing the importance of aligning with funders’ priorities, structuring a clear research question, and demonstrating feasibility. She also provided insights into budgeting, dissemination planning, and overcoming common pitfalls in grant applications.
Key areas covered included:
- Pre-Proposal Planning:Understanding eligibility, aligning with funder priorities, and meeting deadlines.
- Structuring the Research Proposal:Articulating the motivation, research questions, methodology, and contribution to literature.
- Budgeting and Justification:Developing a well-structured budget that aligns with project goals.
- Common Mistakes to Avoid:Addressing errors that often lead to proposal rejection.
- Dealing with Rejection:Maintaining resilience and using feedback to improve future applications.
One of the key takeaways from her session was the need for resilience in the face of rejection. Drawing from personal experiences, she illustrated how unsuccessful applications could be stepping stones toward eventual success, encouraging participants to refine their proposals and reapply with improved strategies.
Dr. Ani’s facilitation was well-received and highly interactive, with attendees appreciating her practical approach and real-world examples, and, participants sharing their challenges and experiences in grant writing. By sharing her knowledge and experiences, she contributed significantly to the workshop’s goal of fostering research excellence and sustainability in grant funding.
Her participation in this conference underscores her commitment to capacity building within the academic and research community, further solidifying her role as a mentor in the field of grant writing.
