Grant Writing Toolkit
The abstract or summary of a grant application is often the first thing a funder reads; it provides them with an overview of what they'll find in the entire application.
Like other sections of a grant application, the abstract or summary can vary in length depending on the funder: from a single paragraph to an entire page.
Some funders will have specific requirements for a summary, such as the ARC: their format is Aims, Significance, Expected Outcomes, and Benefits. Other funders will ask for different formats and/or information to be included, so carefully read the guidelines for their specific requirements.
How to write a compelling grant abstract
Dr Elena Kallestinova from the Yale Center for Teaching and Learning published a comprehensive presentation on writing grant abstracts. Includes suggestions for different types of grants, with examples.
How to Create Your Grant Application's Abstract or Executive Summary
Abstract and specific aims (15:18 min)
Holly Storkel from the Clinical Research Education Library talks about what to include in the abstract and aims section of a grant application. Although targeted at a specific grant round, the principles are sound and applicable across multiple funders. The discussion on abstracts commences around 9:24 minutes.