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Using tools, LLM or not, to improve the language is one thing, but if a LLM is able to write a grant proposal for a research project that means the project is

Using tools, LLM or not, to improve the language is one thing, but if a LLM is able to write a grant proposal for a research project that means the project is crap

SecretDreams 1y ago
You've just, correctly, identified probably most research proposals in the current era. They're mostly* recycled crap. But that doesn't mean they should get funded. We just need to also recognize modern research (at universities, at least) is mostly about training HQP.
- SecretDreams 1y ago
  Shouldn't**
seydor 1y ago
It's true though. You need an idea that sounds sexy and a lot of hyperbole about the impact of your research, in particular with EU funds. Applications generally MUST overhype their impact , because there is a lot of competition , often because the guidelines encourage it, and because there is no restriction on making unrealistic claims. The application, the interview, the pitching, the networking, it all matters. And over the years EU funding by the ERC has adopted the processes of tech startups and VCs (pitching etc). So whatever works with hustling entrepreneurs works with researchers.
Al-Khwarizmi 1y ago
I would never use them to write a proposal from scratch (as in "write a grant proposal to submit to call X on topic Y"), but they can very effectively turn informally-written lists of bullet points with (human-generated) ideas into well-structured sections of flawless, effective text describing the ideas in detail. As well as iterate on the text (make this section longer, shorter, add idea X, emphasize aspect Y more, etc.), suggest risks and contingency plans, make a Gantt chart, etc. All this represents the overwhelming majority of the work (in terms of hours) in writing a grant proposal.
- poulpy123 1y ago
  It will still take a lot of time to write down the bullet points and get the data in support (I suppose that nih grants work like the ones in my country). The people that propose 40 grants in a year and that are targeted by this rule do not just use AI for helping to redact their proposal. As a funny anecdote and a side note, I noticed a pattern of tricks used by people to detect AI texts that is dangerously close to my natural writing habits in English. For example I've seen people saying text with a lot of "fancier" words ( closer to my native language than more natural words), using a lot of moreover or "-" in the sentences. They are all things I've read people here and elsewhere say it helps them to know that a text is AI generated. I'm now very self-conscious about using moreover.

Using tools, LLM or not, to improve the language is one thing, but if a LLM is able to write a grant proposal for a research project that means the project is crap

SecretDreams 1y ago

You've just, correctly, identified probably most research proposals in the current era. They're mostly* recycled crap. But that doesn't mean they should get funded. We just need to also recognize modern research (at universities, at least) is mostly about training HQP.

SecretDreams 1y ago
Shouldn't**

seydor 1y ago

It's true though. You need an idea that sounds sexy and a lot of hyperbole about the impact of your research, in particular with EU funds. Applications generally MUST overhype their impact , because there is a lot of competition , often because the guidelines encourage it, and because there is no restriction on making unrealistic claims. The application, the interview, the pitching, the networking, it all matters. And over the years EU funding by the ERC has adopted the processes of tech startups and VCs (pitching etc). So whatever works with hustling entrepreneurs works with researchers.

Al-Khwarizmi 1y ago

I would never use them to write a proposal from scratch (as in "write a grant proposal to submit to call X on topic Y"), but they can very effectively turn informally-written lists of bullet points with (human-generated) ideas into well-structured sections of flawless, effective text describing the ideas in detail. As well as iterate on the text (make this section longer, shorter, add idea X, emphasize aspect Y more, etc.), suggest risks and contingency plans, make a Gantt chart, etc. All this represents the overwhelming majority of the work (in terms of hours) in writing a grant proposal.

poulpy123 1y ago
It will still take a lot of time to write down the bullet points and get the data in support (I suppose that nih grants work like the ones in my country). The people that propose 40 grants in a year and that are targeted by this rule do not just use AI for helping to redact their proposal. As a funny anecdote and a side note, I noticed a pattern of tricks used by people to detect AI texts that is dangerously close to my natural writing habits in English. For example I've seen people saying text with a lot of "fancier" words ( closer to my native language than more natural words), using a lot of moreover or "-" in the sentences. They are all things I've read people here and elsewhere say it helps them to know that a text is AI generated. I'm now very self-conscious about using moreover.