Research Grant Applications

My track record:

I began editing research grant applications in 2016, and now regularly edit dozens each year. I wish I were the kind of person who tracked the number of grants I’ve supported, my success rate, and the total dollar value of successful projects on which I’ve worked, but I’m not that kind of person (sorry).

The single largest successful grant that I have edited was a SSHRC Partnership Grant valued at $2.5M. The single smallest successful grant that I’ve edited was a BC Campus Fellowship valued at $6,000. All grants of all sizes are important to the people who write them and the organizations that fund them.

My areas of expertise:

I focus on grant applications for faculty, not grants for grad students or postdocs, at Canadian institutions. I edit:

  • SSHRC grants of any type (IG, IDG, Connection, PEG, PDG, PG, and special calls)
  • CIHR grants of any type (Project, Catalyst, and special calls), focusing on research in the health professions, health sciences, sociology of health, medical anthropology, and health humanities
  • NSERC Alliance, CCSIF, and CREATE grants
  • NFRF Exploration and Transformation grants
  • CFI IFs
  • CRCs and CERCs
  • SoTL, OER, and teaching and learning grants for any funder
  • Provincial and charitable or philanthropic research grants aligned with the above-listed federal grants

If you are interested in applying for research grant funding that does not fit with the above funders or competitions, please contact me to determine if I’d be a good fit for your project.

What my clients say:

“Your editorial support made a significant difference at a critical moment in the process. The clarity and cohesion you helped bring to the narrative strengthened the application considerably, and I am very grateful for the time and attention you invested in the work.” – Professor, Indigenous Studies, SSHRC PG (Stage 1)

“You’ve done way more than I ever imagined a great editor would or could provide. I’m deeply thankful for your all your help.” – Professor, Business Studies, SSHRC PDG & IDG

“Once again, Letitia, thank you so much for all the amazing help. Had I been on my own, I would be panicking and scrambling at this stage and, instead, I am all smiles.” – Associate Professor, Political Science, SSHRC IDG

“Working with Letitia Henville on my SSHRC Insight application was an outstanding experience. Her deep understanding of the tri-council funding landscape, her meticulous attention to detail, and her creative approach made a huge difference in the strength and clarity of my proposal. She brought expertise, care, and a fresh perspective to every stage of the process. I can’t recommend her highly enough.” – Associate Professor, Fine Arts, SSHRC IG

“As a Black tenured female professor who, despite being established in my field, had not previously navigated the SSHRC application process, working with Letitia has been an empowering experience. From the outset, she offered step-by-step guidance and practical tools that made the grant-writing process more manageable and transparent. Our regular meetings, shaped by her constructive feedback, were invaluable. Drawing on her expertise, I was able to craft a competitive proposal that highlighted my intellectual contributions in ways that would strongly resonate with reviewers. I am deeply grateful for Letitia’s commitment to ensuring scholars such as myself are equipped to participate fully and confidently in the grant-writing landscape.” – Associate Professor, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, SSHRC IG

My grant-writing advice:

I’ve written about my approach to research grant applications in my column, Ask Dr. Editor; see for example:

When I’m not the best editor for your project:

If you are applying for NIH funding, I suggest contacting Sarah Dobson, who specializes in NIH grants. If you are applying for CIHR funding for work outside of my areas of expertise, I suggest contacting Cath Ennis, whose PhD is in molecular cell biology. If you are applying for an NSERC Discovery grant, I suggest contacting Stan Backs, whose graduate research was in analytical chemistry and metallurgical engineering. And finally, if you are applying for funding for an Indigenous studies project, or to fund Indigenous-related research, I suggest contacting Rhonda Kronyk, who is a grants editor and co-founder of the Indigenous Editors Association. You can also read my advice on How to Hire an Editor.

Beginning our work together:

If you are submitting a reapplication, please send me any feedback or quantitative scores that you received when you last applied for funding. Reviewing the previous round’s feedback and scores will be an asset to me as I edit your work. I do not need to see your application materials from your previous submission cycle.

Pricing:

The cost to hire me as a grants editor is $125/hr. My rush rate for grants editing is $140/hr; I charge my rush rate if I’ll need to work on your grant on the weekend or in the evening. For the most simple form of edit—that is, a single round of editing that accounts for readability, evaluation criteria, and peer reviewers’ needs—most grants need between five and fifteen hours of work.

Contact me to book this service.