What to Avoid When Preparing Your Full Application?

Full applicants are advised to carefully review this section before your submission. The pitfalls outlined below reflect common issues observed during grant application reviews.

Formatting and Compliance

• Do not use fonts, sizes, or spacing other than what is specified (Arial, size 11, single spacing, standard margins). Non-compliant documents may not be reviewed. (See How to Format Your Attachments)
• Do not embed references or figures within the body of the proposal. These must be uploaded as separate files, each not exceeding 2 A4 pages. (See Section 4: Research Proposal)
• Do not exceed the stated word or character limits. Content beyond the limit may be disregarded by reviewers.
• Do not leave any section of the budget template incomplete or without justification. The budget template must be fully completed, with detailed budget justifications clearly aligned with the proposed activities and work plan. (See Section 11: Consortium Budget Overview; Full Application Budget Template) 

Full Application Content Review

• Do not submit a vague or generic problem statement. Reviewers expect a clear problem definition supported by evidence and directly linked to national or regional health challenges. (See Section 4: Research Proposal) 
• Do not fail to address all four focus areas in your aims and methodology: Generating Impactful Research, Fostering Regional Collaboration, Nurturing Leadership and Talent, and Strengthening Research Ecosystem. (See Section 4: Research Proposal) 
• Do not present a logical framework without clear causal links between activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact. Use SMART indicators throughout. (See Section 13: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning) 
• Do not overlook the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning section. It must include specific indicators, a Theory of Change, and a Logical Framework. (See Section 13: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning)
• Do not neglect the environmental sustainability section. Describe concretely how you will minimise the environmental impact of your research activities. (See Section 16: Environmental Sustainability) 

Budget

• Do not include ineligible costs. Refer to the Cost Eligibility Guide for the full list of eligible and ineligible costs. (See Section 11: Consortium Budget Overview)
• Do not fail to declare co-funding contributions. Each co-funded budget line must be clearly marked, with the source, amount, and percentage explained. (See Section 12: Additional Support Opportunities)

Partnership and Equity

• Do not structure inequitable consortium arrangements. Partnerships must demonstrate mutual participation, shared decision-making, co-ownership of data and outputs, and equitable distribution of resources, particularly towards members from Lower Middle-Income Countries. (See Section 3: Consortium Collaborations)
• Do not leave consortia member roles and responsibilities undefined. Each member's contribution must be clearly described and aligned with the project's needs. (See Section 3: Consortium Collaborations)

Ethics, Safeguarding, and EDI

SEA DREAM places strong emphasis on ethical integrity across all supported research. At the Full Application stage, applicants should pay particular attention to the following: 

• Do not neglect to articulate the ethical implications of your research. Proposals must transparently address ethical considerations and any methodological constraints arising from them. (See Section 5: Research Involving Human Participants; Section 6: Research Involving Animals)
• Do not omit safeguarding risk management. Proposals must identify potential safeguarding risks, outline prevention and mitigation strategies, and include a safeguarding risk assessment. (See Section 15: Project Risk Evaluation)
• Do not fail to describe your EDI strategy. Explain how the project will address barriers to participation and foster inclusive practices. (See Section 13: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning)

Generative AI Policy

All Full Application applicants must comply with the SEA DREAM Generative AI Policy:

• Do not use Generative AI tools to draft or rewrite substantive scientific, methodological, or technical content; to generate statistical analysis or interpret data; or to process confidential or proprietary information. AI may be used only for language editing (grammar, clarity) and formatting assistance (e.g. organising content, generating tables of contents).
• Do not conceal the use of Generative AI. All usage must be declared in the designated field within the Research Proposal section. Intentional concealment constitutes a breach of ethical standards and may result in disqualification from the current round and exclusion from future SEA DREAM funding.

See: Annex II; Section 4 of the Application Form — Generative AI declaration