You're allowed to budget for your own development

Hello hellooo!

Can I tell you about something that almost every scientist misses when writing a funding proposal?

It’s not the science. It’s not the methodology. It’s not even the impact section (though yes, that too).

It’s the budget where you are actually allowed to invest in yourself.

Most proposals have a section for project management, coordination, or career development activities. It goes by different names depending on the funding scheme, but it is almost always there. And almost always, scientists either leave it vague, fill it with generic descriptions, or don’t use it at all.

Here’s what you could put there instead: leadership training. Mentorship. One-on-one coaching. Skills workshops that are directly relevant to executing the project you are proposing.

And yes — AI literacy training counts.

Think about it this way. Your host institution will offer general training. It has to — those sessions are designed for everyone in the department, across all levels, across all disciplines. That is their job. But it is your job to invest in the specific skills that will make you a better researcher and a better PI on this project.

The funding is there. You just have to plan it in.

There is also something else happening when you do this well. A proposal that budgets thoughtfully for professional development sends a signal to reviewers: this person is thinking beyond the next three years. They understand that executing ambitious research requires building a capable, well-supported team — and that starts with the PI.

That is the kind of long-term thinking that evaluators notice.

The key is how you phrase it. “Career development” that reads as a perk will not land well. Career development that is clearly tied to project delivery — that is a completely different conversation. And that is exactly where I can help.

Keep this in mind when you are writing your next grant proposal. Share this email with your science besties.

Cheers,
Pranoti

PS: If, apart from my detailed emails and helpful resources, you also some SciComm training and proposal writing support, I think you’ll be happy about:

  1. Personal branding in the age of AI - 24th March, 9:30 - 12:30. Save your spot. 🧡
  2. ERC Synergy Guidance session - 14th April, 14:00. I’ll share some of my secrets about fleshing out a winning outreach work package in your proposal. Make sure you register TODAY. ✍️
  3. My new service “SciComm Support for Proposal Writing” is live. 🥳

Pranoti Kshirsagar, PhD
*Founder,*The Science Talk

Mannheim, Germany