A common cause of CISR grant proposals being rejected or having their budgets reduced is jargon-filled writing by applicants who assume the committee is familiar not only with their discipline but with their specialty. Because such familiarity rarely exists, it is imperative that proposals be put in language clear to a non-specialist. The following two examples illustrate how such an excising of jargon and simplifying of specialized knowledge can be accomplished.

EXAMPLE 1

Original, from the Introduction section

The organism chosen, acinetobacter calcoacetius, is an opportunistic pathogenic bacterial species which possesses multiple antibiotic resistances and has recently assumed importance in hospital-acquired infections due mainly to modern clinical practices involving immunosuppressive therapy and antecedent broad spectrum antibiotic treatment. Clinical and laboratory bacterial isolates of acinetobacter were obtained from groups at the University of Georgia and Ohio University.

Nonspecialist version of the Introduction section

The bacteria to be used in this research, acinetobacter calcoacetuis (a.c.), is resistant to many antibiotics and has recently caused much infection in hospitals (due, among other things, to new therapy that suppresses the immune system of patients). We have obtained cultures of a.c. from the University of Georgia and Ohio University.

Original, from the Significance Section

The basic approach to the identification process is to clone copies of DNA molecules isolated from the bacteria and then modify the DNA so that it is radioactively labeled. Such labeled DNA, when denatured into its two parent strands, will specifically hybridize with other DNA molecules only if they are complementary. Thus, if a swab of cells taken from an individual with a sore throat is denatured and placed on a filter, then labeled strep DNA will hybridize to the DNA on the filter only if the DNA on the filter were also strep DNA. In this way the identity of the infectious strep organism is confirmed.

Nonspecialist version of Significance section

The identification process begins with isolating a known bacteria’s DNA molecules, reproducing large numbers of them, and “labeling” them by placing a radioactive form of an element in the molecule where previously a non-radioactive form had been.* Such labeled DNA, when it separates into its two strands, will join with DNA from other batches only if the two DNA’s are similar. Thus if a culture is taken from someone with a sore throat and the DNA from the bacteria causing it is isolated and put with the already identified and radioactively labeled DNA, then the two will join only if they are the same type. This joining can quickly be detected, and, if it takes place, the type of bacteria causing the sore throat is therefore confirmed.

*Notice an assumption is made here that the reader has some basic, if vague, understanding of DNA and radioactive, but not of cloning.

EXAMPLE 2

Original, from the Objectives section

The main objective of the project is to develop principles and guidelines for encouraging and facilitating colleges and universities to form consortial synergistic relations with non-educational organizations, in the public and in the private sector, for providing to Third World countries educational programs in land use, environmental control, resource management, wildlife conservation, and tourism, using M.S.U. as a model for this potential.

Nonspecialist version of the Objectives section

The main objective of the project is to establish ways for colleges and universities to get together with just about anybody to provide poor countries with educational programs in conservation of all types and tourism.

Original, from the Significance section

The project should result in numerous education/non-education consortia working with the specific Third World countries to help meet their educational needs in environmental control, resource management, wildlife conservation and tourism. Potential significance is attested to by the global need for better management of natural resources, the active interest of Third World countries in education for that purpose, the material initiative of the N.A.F.S.A., and the concurrent interest of A.I.D., U.S.I.A., and the Academy of Independent Scholars.

Nonspecialist version of the Significance section

This project should result in many groups helping poor countries educate their people on various conservation practices and on tourism. The need for better management of natural resources is agreed on by many countries and organizations.