The importance of timeliness, mental preparedness, and recognizing the mutual benefits in grant applications were key themes emphasized by Professor Evans Osabuohien, Founding Chair of DePECOS Institutions and Development Research Centre (DIaDeRC), at a one-day workshop organised by James Hope University, Lagos.
Delivering a presentation titled ‘Guide to Crafting a Grant-Winning Proposal’, Professor Osabuohien underscored that grantsmanship is both an art and a science—requiring perseverance, strategy, and an appreciation of the grant process as a long-term endeavour rather than a one-off attempt. He cautioned against approaching grant writing with a mindset of dependency, emphasising instead that it should be treated as a mutually beneficial process. “The success of a grant process benefits both parties—the grantee’s success is a testament to the grantor’s vision,” he noted.
Professor Osabuohien, who also serves as the Coordinator of DIaDeRC’s flagship training programme, the African Scholarship Mentorship Network (ASMN), highlighted that one of the most common mistakes in grant applications is the failure to strictly adhere to the guidelines provided by funding agencies. He stressed the importance of meticulous attention to detail, urging applicants to follow funders’ stipulations to the letter.
He further advised against viewing grants as mere financial opportunities for personal gain, warning that grantsmanship is not a money-making venture but a value-driven process. “Focus on adding value and making meaningful contributions; financial rewards and recognition will follow naturally,” he advised. He encouraged participants to adopt an abundance mindset, rather than one of scarcity or desperation.
Addressing the complexities of the grant application process, Professor Osabuohien noted that grant writing does not follow a straightforward or uniform path. “Experiences vary across different funding agencies, and past successes do not guarantee future approvals,” he said, urging applicants to approach each application with fresh insights and adaptability.
He also warned against last-minute submissions, emphasising that early applications reduce the risk of errors and misalignment with funding criteria. Speaking to an audience comprising early and mid-career academics, postdoctoral researchers, and postgraduate candidates participating in the James Hope Business School (JHBS) Research Workshop, he reiterated that grant writing requires continuous practice. “While good writing cannot salvage weak ideas, poor writing can hinder even the strongest proposals,” he remarked.
Professor Osabuohien emphasised the importance of collaboration in securing grants. He encouraged participants to actively seek strategic partnerships, noting that well-structured collaborations improve the chances of success. However, he cautioned that partnerships should be deliberate and carefully selected to align with the applicant’s objectives.
In conclusion, he highlighted the necessity of integrity in grant execution, stressing that winning a grant is only part of the journey—delivering on grant commitments is equally crucial. He also encouraged resilience in the face of rejection. “Rejection is not the end of the road. Every ‘no’ brings you closer to a ‘yes,’” he reassured.
The workshop aligned with JHBS’s institutional goal of enhancing its faculty’s capacity to publish in internationally recognized academic journals indexed in ABS, Scopus, and other reputable databases. According to Dr. Ayodotun Ibidunni, Coordinator of the Innovation, Intrapreneurship, and Entrepreneurship Programme at JHBS, the initiative also aims to foster a culture of competitive grant writing, ensuring that the institution’s impact extends beyond academia to the broader industry landscape. It was also an opportunity for some of DIaDeRC’s ASMN members to interact.
