Podcast Roundup: Grant Writing Without the Gobbledygook with Robert Bentley

Struggling with grant writing? You’re not alone.

In the very first episode of Creating The Curve, I sat down with grant writing expert Robert Bentley (also known by his author alias, Donald R. Melgren) to unpack why grants feel so overwhelming – and what you can actually do about it.

What we talked about:

• The biggest mistake STEM businesses make when applying for grants – spoiler: it’s writing like a product spec sheet.
• Why grant writing is more like marketing than you think.
• How to get clear on what the funder really wants (hint: it’s not your tech).
• The storytelling approach that makes applications stand out – even to a weary assessor at 9pm with a glass of wine in hand.
• Why you shouldn’t write grants in a vacuum
• How to use AI without losing your voice

“You’re not just writing a bid – you’re telling a story. A story where your solution is the hero, and the funder gets the happy ending.” – Robert Bentley

Robert’s been doing this for 25+ years and has helped secure over £80 million in funding. So when he says most first-time applicants miss the mark, he knows what he’s talking about.

Takeaways:

✅ Grants aren’t about you – they’re about the funder’s goals.
✅ Ditch the tech spec tone and tell a story about the impact.
✅ Want to stand out? Be human. Be specific. Be relevant.
✅ Reuse your marketing mindset – research the audience and meet them there.
✅ Use AI to help, not to replace you. Voice still matters.

🎧 Listen to the episode here
📘 Want more from Robert? His book Grant Writing (under Donald R. Melgren) is available on Amazon.