“They say they are innovative – but
they’re not” is probably not what you want to hear said about your funding
application. ‘Innovative’ is one of those positive words used without too much
scrutiny. But do this at your peril. Scrutiny is exactly what a funder will
give it and more often than not you’ll be found lacking.
Innovative
means introducing new ideas; being original and creative in thinking; featuring
new methods. As a funder we are attracted to the new and different (often too
much – see my blog ‘Be more magpie’ http://emmabeeston.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/a-message-to-givers-be-more-magpie.html
for my
thoughts on that). Innovative is a common term in funding programmes and
criteria. Many funders want to see their funds do something pioneering and game
changing. There is credibility and status attached to doing something genuinely
original.
Applicants often reflect back the term ‘innovative’ to show how they
meet the criteria. But saying “we are innovative” does not make it true. You
need to back it up with evidence. In what way are you different? What is new
about your approach or model? And how do you know you are innovative – what
research have you done?
Avoid the term altogether if you can’t back it up. It
is better to qualify your statement e.g. “we are the first in the UK to...” or
“we have taken this approach from drama and applied it to our work with ...”
and tell us the results. Much better still to show you are really effective
than make a false claim of innovation. The latter will undermine your bid not
strengthen it.
As funders we really do get to see and read about a lot of
different ways of doing things. We can spot a true innovation when we see it.
And we will be more than happy to recognise it as such when we see it.
Note:
Words to avoid #1 is UNIQUE – see ‘You are not unique – sorry’ http://emmabeeston.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/you-are-not-unique-sorry.html
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