Abstract/Summary

Although science communication with the general public (Olson et al., 2013; Olson, 2015; Dahlstrom, 2014; Fischhoff & Scheufele, 2014; Kwon & Nelson, 2016) and with policy makers (Torres, 2019; Dahlstrom & Scheufele, 2018; Lidskog et al., 2020) has been explored, highlighting that information needs to be presented in a meaningful context for people to understand its value, there has been less attention paid to how scientists communicate research proposals in order to gain funding for research. In this study I draw from storytelling theory to explore the complex process of communicating for science funding. Storytelling has been used as a common communication tool that can project meaning. Humans intuitively communicate via stories in their daily conversation to provide context that allow others to interpret our unique experiences (Schank, 1999). Storytelling has also been used in other contexts such as marketing, branding, public relations as well as in science communication. However, there is an absence of theory that addresses how stories can be used to obtain funding for scientific research. The aim of the project is therefore to (1) understand how applications for research funding are structured, (2) understand how scientists communicate their research to funding committee members, and (3) to uncover how certain communication aspects influence funding decisions. The project outcome is to provide scientists with a communication theory that would aid in securing funds as they communicate more clearly to funding agents.