My Services
Funding Application Editing Services
Professional editing ensures your funding application will clearly communicate your project’s aims, methods, and significance. This allows reviewers to assess its strength and potential more effectively. I work with SSHRC and arts council applications, as well as applications for fellowships, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.
Funding applications are read quickly and evaluated within strict requirements. Clear alignment of objectives, methods, and outcomes makes a proposal easier to assess, while unfocused language can leave reviewers uncertain about its merit and feasibility.
Although application requirements differ across agencies, they all demand precise, persuasive writing that speaks to both experts and general reviewers.
What I Offer
Types of funding applications I work with
Academic and research funding
SSHRC programs:
Insight, Doctoral, and Postdoctoral Fellowships requiring clearly defined objectives and outcomes
University fellowships:
Institutional grants:
Smaller grants with specific requirements and focus areas
Arts and creative funding
Canada Council for the Arts:
Applications requiring concise descriptions of artistic practice, budgets, and impact
Ontario Arts Council:
Provincial funding with specific criteria for artistic and community engagement
Regional arts councils
Local funding opportunities with community-focused requirements
Applications vary in form depending on the agency, but all require writing that communicates a project’s significance within strict word or page limits.
Why Work With Me
How I can help
Comprehensive document coordination
Applications often combine multiple documents—proposal, CV, budget, and other supporting documents—each with its own demands. Editing brings them together by:
- Reviewing structure and argument to clarify the project’s aims and scope
- Refining language so the text is concise within strict word counts
- Focusing on accuracy and alignment with the overall narrative
- Ensuring all elements present a coherent case for your project
Balancing specificity and economy
One of the most difficult parts of grant writing is deciding what to include, what to cut, and how to say it within strict word or page limits. Applicants often have more research, context, and nuance than the format allows, making it hard to communicate a project’s originality and feasibility without oversimplifying or losing focus.
Editing addresses this challenge by refining long, detailed drafts into clear, well-prioritized proposals, or by identifying which sections require further development to meet reviewer expectations. This may involve refining transitions, reducing repetition, and rephrasing so that reviewers can quickly understand what the project is, why it matters, and how it will be realized.
What I Offer
Levels of editing
Developmental editing
When the proposal is still in its initial stage, developmental editing may be needed to:
- Shape objectives and refine research questions
- Strengthen links between sections
- Develop overall argument structure
Developmental editing Rate: $0.08–$0.10/word + tax
Stylistic editing
Most applications benefit from stylistic editing, which:
- Improves tone, flow, and readability
- Maintains the integrity of your writing
- Enhances clarity within word count requirements
Stylistic editing Rate: $0.06–$0.08/word + tax
Copyediting & Proofreading
Final review ensures:
- Applications are free of errors before submission
- Consistent formatting throughout
- All requirements are properly addressed
Copyediting Rate: $0.04–$0.06/word + tax
Proofreading Rate: $0.03–$0.05/word + tax
Ready to discuss your application?
Get in touch to discuss how I can help with your next funding application.
Benefits of professional editing
Funding competitions are highly selective, as juries and selection committees often work within tight timelines. Clear writing makes your project easier to comprehend and more memorable.
Editing does not alter the substance of your work; it assists you in presenting the proposal so that its aims, methods, and contributions are direct. Strong applications present the project’s potential clearly and efficiently.
Frequently asked questions
Do you write grants for clients?
No. I edit existing drafts. Content and authorship remain your responsibility. You maintain control over your research and ideas.
Can you work with tight deadlines?
Do you also edit applications for graduate degrees?
Yes, I edit applications for graduate programs, including proposals and personal statements. The same principles of clear, focused writing apply to graduate applications.
What documents do you typically review?
I work with research proposals, project descriptions, CVs, budget justifications, and supporting documents. Each component receives attention to ensure consistency and alignment with your core application priorities.
How do you approach different funding agencies?
While I’m familiar with the requirements of various funding bodies, I always recommend reviewing specific guidelines for your target agency. I can ensure that your application addresses the particular criteria and expectations of different funders.