A practical course for turning competitive, innovative ideas into genuinely competitive funding applications.
Winning grant funding is not simply about having a strong idea. Funders back projects that are clearly selected, strategically shaped, convincingly evidenced and carefully reviewed. How to Build a Winning Grant Application shows learners how to approach the process with the judgement, structure and discipline needed to improve their chances of success.
Led by Kevin Brooks, a grant writer and assessor with 30 years’ experience, the course draws on insight from both sides of the funding table. Kevin has helped clients secure millions in funding and has reviewed hundreds of bids, giving learners a practical understanding of what separates promising but underdeveloped applications from those that are ready to compete.
The course takes participants step by step through the grant application journey, from understanding the funding landscape to selecting the right opportunity, shaping the project case, drafting and reviewing the application, and using practical tips, tricks and AI responsibly to strengthen the final submission.
Participants will learn how to assess the suitability and fundability of project ideas, build stronger evidence-based cases for support, and develop clear, persuasive applications that align with funder priorities. The course helps learners connect need, activities, outcomes, impact, risk and resources into a coherent funding proposition, strengthen the quality of their submissions through effective review techniques, and apply practical tools and approaches that can be used across future funding applications.
Course format
The course launches on 7 September and combines self-paced learning with opportunities for live discussion and reflection.
In addition to the online course materials, participants will have access to three live sessions led by Kevin Brooks, taking place at 10:00 - 11:00 am on 16 September, 30 September and 14 October. These sessions will provide opportunities to explore key themes from the course, discuss practical challenges and gain further insight into the development of competitive grant applications.
Meet the Mentor
Kevin Brooks, Grant Writer & Assessor, BrooksKebbey
Kevin Brooks is one of the UK’s most experienced bid strategists, innovation advisers and funding specialists, with more than 30 years’ experience helping organisations turn ideas into fundable propositions. He has supported universities, SMEs, NHS teams, public-sector partnerships, defence companies, charities, founders and regional innovation programmes to develop stronger cases for R&D, innovation and public funding. He is also a go-to consultant on the innovation catalyst circuit, delivering funding masterclasses for organisations seeking to improve their bid judgement, proposition development and funding outcomes.
His work sits at the intersection of bid writing, proposition development, responsible innovation, partnership building and strategic funding advice. Over his career, he has helped clients secure many millions of pounds in competitive funding (£60M+ in R&D funding over the last 8 years alone) and has also assessed major grant applications, giving him practical insight into both sides of the funding process.
Who is it for?
This course is ideal for researchers, innovators, SMEs, charities, public sector teams, university staff, project leads and professional services teams involved in developing grant applications. It is suitable for people preparing their first bid as well as experienced applicants who want to sharpen their approach and increase the competitiveness of their submissions.
What learners will gain
By the end of the course, participants will be better able to:
understand the grant funding landscape and how funders assess applications;
select opportunities that fit their project, organisation and ambitions;
shape a stronger case for funding;
connect need, activities, outcomes, impact, risk and resources;
draft applications with greater clarity and discipline;
review bids more effectively before submission;
use practical tools, techniques and AI to support better application development.
Why take this course?
How to Build a Winning Grant Application gives learners a practical, funder-focused framework for developing stronger applications. It helps them move beyond simply describing a good idea and towards building a credible, coherent and compelling case for investment.
For anyone seeking grant funding, this course provides the confidence, insight and structure needed to approach applications more strategically and improve the quality of every submission.
Start the course and learn how to build grant applications that are clear, credible and competitive.