When writing an impact section in a funding proposal, you're expected to predict the future impact of your work and map out a pathway toward it. If you're writing an impact case study, you will pull together evidence to tell a convincing story about how your work has made a difference. These are two very different tasks. But the tools and resources on this page will help you write convincingly about impact, no matter where you are on your research journey.

Your writing needs to be accessible and inclusive. So you should use simple, easy-to-understand language. The National Adult Literacy Agency provides access to some helpful resources on using Plain English, including a writing and design tips guide.

Writing an impact case study

The College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences has developed an impact case study template and template guidance document to help researchers in writing an effective impact case study. Examples of completed case studies are also available on this webpage.

Other helpful resources:

• UCD, Writing an Impact Case Study: guidance on what makes an excellent case study, case study template and tips for writing your own case study.
• University of Limerick, Research Impact Case Study Guide: tips on preparing and writing your case study and case study examples.
• REF, Research Impact Case Studies, case studies searchable by keywords and institution.

Developing an effective impact section

Training workshop: Understanding Proposal Writing

Proposal writing is a time consuming process which can be truly rewarding in terms of enhancing your research career prospects and building your international network and reputation. This workshop will provide insights on the process and will enable participants to understand:

• Where to find relevant info and how to use it
• How to choose the right opportunity
• What makes a proposal successful

Recording Link (Internal UCC Sharepoint Link)

Many researchers find the impact sections of their grant applications among the most challenging to complete. This guide from Mark Reed explains exactly what you need to write in the impact sections in impact sections of grant applications for funders.

Communicating research to a public audience

Training workshop: Communicating Research to a Public Audience

• Eoin Hahessy, Head of Media and Communications at UCC, outlines the tools and supports to help you communicate your research at the university.

Recording Link (Internal UCC Sharepoint Link)