Building Grant-Writing Capacity in Academia: Insights from the FDP at JIMS Rohini

Objective of the Program:

This Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on “Academic Fundraising and Grant Writing: From Ideas to Funding” is designed to empower faculty members and researchers with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively secure and manage research grants. It offers practical insights into the dynamic funding landscape, helps participants identify fundable research ideas, and enhances their proposal writing and budget planning skills. The programme also emphasizes institutional support mechanisms, explores innovative and non-traditional fundraising avenues, and incorporates hands-on training in digital tools for project management and research alignment with strategic and sustainable development goals.

Key Objectives:

• Build capacity to secure and manage academic grants through strategic and innovative
• Understand diverse funding sources including government, international, CSR, and philanthropic agencies
• Learn how to identify and align research ideas with institutional, national, and global priorities
• Enhance grant writing skills—problem definition, proposal structure, budgeting, and error avoidance
• Recognize the role of institutional support systems like research cells and incubation centres
• Explore alternative funding channels such as corporate sponsorships, alumni outreach, and innovation schemes
• Gain hands-on experience with AI writing tools, digital project management, and data visualization platforms
• Foster institutional research planning aligned with long-term academic and sustainability goals

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this Faculty Development Programme, participants will be equipped with essential knowledge and practical skills to navigate the grant ecosystem effectively. They will learn how to identify funding sources, align research ideas with key priorities, write persuasive proposals, and manage grants with integrity and efficiency. The programme also emphasizes the use of AI tools, digital platforms, and institutional frameworks to support sustainable and impactful fundraising efforts.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the national and international funding ecosystem
• Identify suitable funding agencies and align research with strategic goals
• Write effective grant proposals with SMART objectives and justified budgets
• Avoid common grant writing pitfalls and enhance proposal clarity using AI tools
• Use digital platforms and data visualization for storytelling and project planning
• Leverage institutional support systems like research cells and innovation councils
• Explore alternative fundraising avenues including CSR, alumni, and incubation-linked grants
• Strengthen competence in ethics, cybersecurity, and post-award grant management
• Improve skills in compliance, reporting, and audit- readiness for funded

On June 30, 2025, Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS), Rohini, Sector-5, commenced its One-Week Faculty Development Programme (FDP) titled "Academic Fundraising and Grants Writing: From Ideas to Funding". The FDP aims to empower faculty with critical skills in research funding, an essential aspect of contemporary academic excellence.

The inaugural session began with a welcome address by the Anchor, emphasizing JIMS's 32- year legacy and its commitment to professional education. They then introduced the FDP's theme, highlighting the necessity of mastering grant writing for securing project-based grants, establishing innovation labs, and fostering global collaborations. Dr. Praveen Arora, Principal

of IPU-affiliated programs at JIMS, delivered the welcome address, sharing insights from her extensive experience in academia and computer science.

DAY 1

The first technical session was led by Prof. Dr. Devendra Kumar Tayal, Director (IQAC) at Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women. Prof. Tayal, with over 25 years of experience and a strong publication record, including over 150 research papers in SCI/SCOPUS indexed journals, shared his profound expertise. Notably, he has contributed to various sponsored research and consultancy projects, and served on the PAMC of the Mission ICPS, which oversaw a budget of 3600 Crores.

Prof. Tayal's session provided comprehensive guidance on grant writing. He detailed the roles of funding bodies like SERB and NM-ICPS , explaining eligibility requirements such as a mandatory Ph.D. and permanent faculty position for investigators, and clarifying that contractual or student applications are rejected. He outlined typical grant inclusions, including manpower, equipment, consumables, travel, and a 20% institutional overhead.

A crucial emphasis was placed on the grant writing process itself. Prof. Tayal stressed the importance of meticulously reading the "Call for Proposals" to ensure scope alignment and checking all eligibility and submission deadlines. A stern warning was issued against using AI tools like ChatGPT for proposal writing, as this would result in immediate rejection. He advised that proposals should be multi-institutional or multi-disciplinary, focus on national issues, and aim for practical applications.

Further, Prof. Tayal guided participants through the structure of a strong proposal, including crafting a conforming project title free from AI-generated content or plagiarism, and preparing a concise (around 200 words) project summary that effectively "advertises" the research. Objectives, considered a "legal contract," were to be precise, achievable, and articulate the novelty and real-world impact of the project. The session also covered presenting international and national review status, identifying research gaps, and detailing the work plan and financial components.

The FDP also covered the multi-layered proposal evaluation process, from initial scrutiny to detailed evaluations and one-to-one justifications with expert committees. Post-acceptance

procedures, including fund disbursement and strict adherence to regulations, were discussed. Finally, Prof. Tayal provided valuable advice on navigating proposal rejections, emphasizing the need to identify weaknesses, rewrite, and persist, recognizing the highly competitive nature of grant funding.

Learning Outcomes – Day 1

• Gained knowledge of key funding agencies such as SERB and NM-ICPS, including their objectives, budget scope, and research focus areas.
• Understood eligibility criteria for grant applications, including the requirement for a Ph.D. and a permanent academic position.
• Learned about typical grant budget components like manpower, equipment, travel, and institutional overheads.
• Understood the importance of aligning proposals with the "Call for Proposals" and strictly avoiding AI-generated content.
• Identified characteristics of effective proposals — multi-disciplinary, problem-focused, and aligned with national priorities.
• Recognized applicant eligibility across academic and research
• Gained insights into the three-layer proposal evaluation process — from initial screening to expert review.
• Learned post-acceptance procedures, including fund utilization, progress evaluation, and compliance with funding rules.
• Understood strategies for improving and resubmitting rejected proposals in light of low acceptance rates.

DAY 2

Prof. Rajan Yadav, a senior academician from the Delhi School of Management, Delhi Technological University. Prof. Yadav brings over 23 years of experience in teaching and research, holding a Ph.D. in Marketing. His extensive academic contributions include supervising 10 doctoral scholars, publishing over 65 Scopus/Web of Science indexed papers, authoring books, and leading an ICSSR-funded project on technology adoption. His profile also includes leadership roles and mentoring startups in the marketing field.

Prof. Rajan Yadav’s technical session focused on "Topic Scouting and Selecting the Right Funding Agency". He provided a comprehensive overview of various funding bodies, including the Indian Council of Social Sciences Research (ICSSR) for major and minor projects, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) with its ATAL Academy and Collaborative Research Schemes, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), and the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). He specifically mentioned DIPAS and DIPAR as two important DRDO labs where research proposals can be directly submitted anytime. Additionally, Prof. Yadav introduced participants to other potential funding avenues such as the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), State Knowledge Commissions, State Women's Rights Commissions, Social Welfare Departments, Backward SC/ST Commissions, IRDAI, Public Sector Enterprises for CSR initiatives, and Electricity Distribution Companies for customer satisfaction surveys. He highlighted instances where State Knowledge Commissions had unspent funds from the previous year intended for research projects, emphasizing the importance of researchers actively seeking out these opportunities.

A significant part of the session was dedicated to the "Parts of a Research Proposal," particularly for submissions under ICSSR. Prof. Yadav meticulously detailed each section: the catchy and mandate-reflecting names for Project Directors and the Research Proposal Title; a concise 300-word abstract outlining the aim, scope, methodology, and implications; a robust 400-word introduction connecting the problem to recent work; and a narrative analysis of 15- 20 important international and national research works. He also stressed the importance of prominently communicating the research gap (approx. 200 words) and how the project addresses it. Objectives, framed very carefully and providing direction, should be around 200 words, explain objective-wise research methodology, and clearly demonstrate the clarity of the research. The proposed methodology should include a systematic plan for data collection, an indicative sample size of 400-500, and the region covered by the study. Furthermore, he covered the innovation/path-breaking aspects (150-200 words), expected outputs with timelines (300 words), and details of datasets to be generated (100-150 words).

Learning Outcomes – Day 2

• Identified various national funding agencies and their focus areas:
  • ICSSR – Major and minor research projects in social
  • AICTE – ATAL Academy and Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS).
  • DST – Open schemes for scientific

• DRDO – Labs like DIPAS and DIPAR accepting proposals
• Others – ANRF, State Knowledge Commissions, Women’s Rights Commissions, Social Welfare , SC/ST Commissions, IRDAI, PSUs (for CSR), and Electricity Boards.

• Understood key expectations of funding agencies, especially the importance of systematic and robust research proposals.
• Gained clarity on essential components of a research proposal (ICSSR format), including:
  • Project Director’s Name & Title – Should align with the theme and reflect the call's mandate.
  • Abstract – ~300 words summarizing aim, scope, methodology, and
  • Introduction – ~400 words linking the research problem to current
  • Review of Literature – Summary of 15–20 relevant national and international
  • Research Gap – ~200 words highlighting the gap and its
  • Objectives – Clearly defined (200 words), showing direction and
  • Methodology – Systematic plan with sample size (400–500) and study
  • Innovative Aspects – ~150–200 words emphasizing
  • Expected Outputs – ~300 words describing deliverables (books, papers, datasets) with timelines.
  • Datasets to be Generated – ~100–150 words specifying types of data to be

DAY 3

Dr. Saif Siddiqui, a distinguished Professor in Finance and Entrepreneurship from the Department of Management Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Dr. Siddiqui's impressive profile includes a Ph.D. from Aligarh Muslim University, over 15 years of academic experience, having supervised fifteen Ph.D. scholars, authored a book on entrepreneurship, and successfully secured two research projects with the National Stock Exchange of India and ICSSR, with a second ICSSR project currently underway. His expertise provided a valuable perspective on strategic grant acquisition.

Dr. Siddiqui's session focused on "Developing an Institutional Research Roadmap for Strategic Grants." He began by elucidating the fundamental reasons why institutes need research grants, highlighting their role in funding research activities, advancing knowledge and innovation, attracting and retaining talented faculty, building institutional reputation, fostering collaborations, meeting societal goals, and ensuring institutional sustainability.

He then introduced the concept of a "Research Roadmap" as a strategic plan that outlines the necessary steps to achieve specific goals, much like a journey map. Dr. Siddiqui elaborated on the key features of such a roadmap, emphasizing the importance of clearly defined goals and milestones, a phased timeline, assigned resources and responsibilities, established priorities, and inherent flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.

A core component of his presentation was the detailed breakdown of the elements crucial for developing an effective institutional research roadmap. These included: identifying clear research priorities and themes aligned with institutional strengths and global challenges; conducting a thorough assessment of capabilities through SWOT analysis; analyzing the funding landscape to identify strategic grant opportunities from diverse sources (national/international agencies, industry, philanthropic organizations); implementing robust capacity building initiatives such as faculty recruitment, mentorship, and grant management support; addressing infrastructure and resource gaps; developing a comprehensive implementation plan with defined timelines and responsibilities; establishing strong communication and advocacy both internally and externally; and ensuring continuous monitoring and updating of the roadmap. Dr. Siddiqui concluded his enlightening session by outlining the significant benefits of a well-crafted research roadmap. He underscored how it enhances institutional competitiveness, aligns faculty efforts, encourages interdisciplinary research, improves resource planning, demonstrates preparedness to funders, and ultimately positions the institution for excellence, relevance, and long-term funding sustainability.

Learning Outcomes – Day 3

• Understood the importance of research grants for:
  • Funding projects, innovation, and institutional
  • Attracting talent and enhancing
  • Supporting sustainability and fulfilling societal
• Learned the concept and features of a Research Roadmap, including:

• Defined goals, timelines, responsibilities, priorities, and

• Explored key components for developing an institutional research roadmap:
  • Identifying research priorities and themes aligned with
  • Conducting SWOT analysis of institutional
  • Mapping relevant national/international funding
  • Building capacity through training, mentorship, and
  • Addressing infrastructure needs (labs, equipment, platforms).
  • Creating a phased implementation plan with
  • Promoting internal and external communication and
  • Establishing review mechanisms for updates and
• Recognized the benefits of a roadmap:
  • Boosts competitiveness and strategic
  • Encourages interdisciplinary work and better resource
  • Demonstrates preparedness and enhances funding

DAY 4

The esteemed speaker for the day was Prof. Jitender Kumar, a distinguished Professor at the Department of Management Studies, Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology (DCRUST), Murthal, Haryana. Prof. Kumar holds a Ph.D. from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology and possesses over two decades of extensive teaching and research experience. His notable contributions include more than 65 research papers in prestigious Scopus and Web of Science indexed journals, participation in over 30 national and international seminars, and authorship of two well-received textbooks. His profound academic background set the stage for an insightful session.

Prof. Jitender Kumar's technical session focused on "Proposal Review: Addressing Plagiarism, Compliance Monitoring, and Reporting in Funded Projects." He initiated the discussion by highlighting the escalating need for external funding in research and development and emphasized that securing a good grant is a challenging endeavor. He underscored the fundamental nature of grants as non-repayable financial awards for specific activities, stressing the critical importance of understanding the funding body's goals and program guidelines. Decisions on applications, he explained, are primarily based on the applicant's ability to fulfill the proposed project's requirements.

Prof. Kumar then meticulously guided participants through the various stages of grant proposal preparation. He advised on obtaining specific agency guidelines and deadlines, developing a comprehensive project proposal, and crafting a precise and concise abstract or project summary that encapsulates the entire project. He elaborated on the significance of a compelling introduction that justifies the research's relevance, including any prior history or pilot projects. Furthermore, he emphasized the clear articulation of the research problem, its significance, scope, and anticipated implications. He also covered defining project objectives, outlining appropriate methods or design, planning for effective project evaluation, considering avenues for future funding, and preparing a detailed project budget.

The session also provided crucial guidelines for effective proposal writing. Prof. Kumar stressed the importance of familiarizing oneself with the entire grant writing procedure, discussing interdisciplinary proposals with mentors, and actively seeking neutral and constructive criticism from third parties to ensure continuity, clarity, and sound reasoning. A practical tip shared was to adapt and re-submit a rejected proposal to a different agency, tailoring it to their specific requirements.

Finally, Prof. Kumar presented an overview of current funding opportunities from various national agencies. He informed participants about funding available for Indian Collaborative Research Projects, State Government Excellence Scholarships for students, and various schemes offered by the University Grants Commission (UGC) such as Faculty Development Programmes, 100% Travel Grants, Minor Research Projects, and funds for organizing conferences and seminars. He also highlighted opportunities from the Indian Council of Social Sciences Research (ICSSR) for social science students, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) for science students, the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) for history students, and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for medical students.

Learning Outcomes – Day 4

• Recognized the growing importance of external grants for R&D and the challenges in writing successful proposals.
• Understood how funding bodies operate and the importance of aligning proposals with their goals and guidelines.
• Learned key steps in grant proposal preparation:
  • Reviewing agency guidelines and

• Writing a clear abstract, compelling introduction, and well-defined problem
• Outlining objectives, methodology, evaluation plan, and
• Considering future funding

• Gained tips for effective proposal writing:
  • Familiarize with grant
  • Collaborate on interdisciplinary
  • Get feedback from third parties for clarity and
  • Revise and resubmit rejected proposals to other
• Explored current funding opportunities from:
  • Indian Collaborative Research Projects
  • State Government Excellence Scholarships
  • UGC (FDPs, Travel Grants, Minor Projects, Seminars)
  • ICSSR (Social Sciences), DST (Sciences), ICHR (History), ICMR (Medical Research)

DAY 5

The eminent speaker for Day 5 was Prof. Mainuddin, a distinguished Professor in the Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Prof. Mainuddin holds B.Tech, M.E., and Ph.D. degrees in Electronics and Communication, securing top honors throughout his academic career. With over 16 years of distinguished service at DRDO, he made significant contributions to high-power laser research and received multiple accolades, including the prestigious DRDO Laboratory Scientist of the Year award in 2002. Since joining Jamia Millia Islamia in 2013, he has served as Head of Department and initiated key academic programs and infrastructure development, including an M.Tech program and a state-of-the-art Optoelectronics Lab. His extensive research spans Optoelectronics, Optical Diagnostics, Sensors, Antennas, and High-Power Lasers, evidenced by over 70 journal papers, numerous conference presentations, and a major DRDO-sponsored project on optical water sensors. His profound experience in defense research provided a unique and highly relevant perspective for the FDP.

Prof. Mainuddin's technical session provided an intricate overview of the "Funding Process in Research & Development," with a primary focus on the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). He explained that DRDO operates through various boards and panels,

and applicants should align their proposals with the specific interests of these panels. He meticulously detailed the three crucial steps in the DRDO funding lifecycle:

1. Receiving of Application: This phase involves DRDO's initial selection based on expertise and topic, followed by project screening by a dedicated committee. Subsequently, a panel meeting takes place where the project is formally presented, leading to a committee decision for recommendation or non-recommendation.
2. Sanctioning Process: Upon successful recommendation, the institute receives an official "sanction letter" from DRDO.
3. Realization of Money: The funds are disbursed through the R&D Board's PCDA (Controller of Defence Accounts), who releases the first installment to the institute, marking the formal initiation of project progress.

Prof. Mainuddin also elaborated on a critical DRDO policy: every project requires a "zero- progress report" after the first year's funds are utilized. This report, along with progress updates and financial statements, is rigorously reviewed by a committee, upon which the grant for the second or third year is sanctioned.

Furthermore, he provided essential guidelines for submitting proposals to DRDO, emphasizing the need for value addition to international and national research, alignment with fields like aeronautics, and preferably addressing existing DRDO problems. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring the proposal is commensurate with project requirements, including calculated salary norms, and providing robust justification for the quantity of work envisioned.

The session concluded with an explanation of budget allocation in DRDO projects, specifically noting that equipment costs should not exceed 30% of the project budget, contingency is capped at 5%, and consumables and travel grants must be thoroughly justified. He also provided insights into the checklist for the first year's funds, focusing on utilization certificates and specific reporting formats.

As the FDP drew to a close, Anchor extended a heartfelt vote of thanks to Prof. Mainuddin for his exceptionally informative session. She then expressed immense gratitude to the Principal, Dr. Praveen Arora, and the convenors, Dr. Ankur Tayal and Ms. Rupakshi Gaur, recognizing their visionary leadership and dedicated efforts in organizing such a successful program.

The FDP concluded with a Certificate Distribution Ceremony, where all participants received their certificates, acknowledging their active engagement throughout the week. Following this, the convenors and student coordinators were also felicitated. An important announcement was made for participants to fill out the feedback form, ensuring continuous improvement for future programs. The event concluded with a lunch break, leaving participants equipped with enhanced knowledge and practical strategies for academic fundraising and grants writing.