This is a fictitious narrative CV created to demonstrate the OCAR structure in response to an equally fictitious funding call. It’s designed to help you understand how the R4RI format works, not to provide a template to copy. Any resemblance to real research is coincidental. Use this example for understanding the approach, then make it your own. Click the arrows for commentary on how the OCAR framework was applied in each section. ...
Team funding applications require a different approach to narrative CVs. Rather than showcasing individual excellence, you need to demonstrate collective strength and complementary expertise. The main challenge is that you’re doing this within the same word limits as an individual CV 😲 This post covers what changes (and what stays the same) when writing team narrative CVs, and provides a practical process for developing them collaboratively. What do team and individual narrative CVs have in common? The four R4RI modules - your team still needs to address all four areas of contribution. The OCAR structure remains effective - it works at the same three nested levels (Team Statement, module narratives, individual examples). Word limits - funders don’t give you extra words for having more people (typically still a total of 1,500-2,000 words). Need for specifics - you still need concrete examples with numbers, outcomes, and impact. What’s different about team narrative CVs? The focus shifts from individual to collective. It’s not about showing that everyone is excellent; it’s showing how this specific team offers the right combination of expertise to deliver the proposed project. You need to demonstrate complementarity. Why does this specific combination of people create something greater than individuals working separately? A Team Statement replaces the Personal Statement. This opening needs to convey collective identity. Above all, you’re answering the question: “Why is this the right team for this project?”, not “Why are these good researchers?” Funders need to understand each team member’s specific contribution and expertise, and also get a sense that you can all work together successfully to deliver the project within the timeframe. ...
Unlike a traditional CV where you list achievements with bullet points, a narrative CV requires you to write in paragraphs. This means the quality of your writing is crucial. With strict word limits (typically 1,000-2,000 words for the entire CV), every single word must earn its place. Poor word choices, vague language, or passive constructions waste precious space and weaken your impact. You’ve learned the OCAR structure, gathered your examples across the four modules, and understood how to build narratives at multiple levels. Now it’s time to refine the language to make your narratives powerful and clear. Here are 5 stages for you to work through. ...
Your Personal Statement is possibly the most challenging part of a narrative CV. In just 2-3 sentences,1 you need to convey your research identity, your approach, and why you’re the right person for the funding 😳 It’s not a mini-biography or a list of achievements — you’re distilling your overarching research narrative. How on earth do you compress your entire career into a few sentences? In this post, I’ll guide you through the process of clarifying your research identity and crafting a Personal Statement that accurately and authentically represents who you are as an academic researcher. ...
This is a fictitious narrative CV created to demonstrate the OCAR structure in response to an equally fictitious funding call. It’s designed to help you understand how the R4RI format works, not to provide a template to copy. Use this example for understanding the approach, then make it your own. Any resemblance to real research is coincidental. Click the arrows for commentary on how the OCAR framework was applied in each section. ...
If you’ve read How to Write a Narrative CV, you’ve seen the step-by-step process for drafting individual examples using OCAR. In this post, we’ll explore a more complex aspect: how OCAR works at three nested levels within your narrative CV, and how to avoid common pitfalls when using this structure. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the OCAR framework (Opening, Challenge, Action, Resolution) is effective in most types of academic writing. It’s also helpful for developing an narrative CV. This storytelling approach: ...
Team Narrative CV: Climate Stories Collective ⚠️ Disclaimer: This is a fictitious team narrative CV created to demonstrate the OCAR structure in response to an equally fictitious funding call. Any resemblance to real research is coincidental. It’s designed to help you understand how the R4RI format works, not to provide a template to copy, not to provide a template to copy. Your narrative CV should reflect your team’s authentic experience and voice. Every funder has different requirements - always check current guidelines. There’s no single “correct” way to structure your narratives. Use this example for understanding the approach, then make it your own. Key features: ...
As discussed in the previous post, for each narrative CV, you need to identify your audience and gather relevant examples. Now it’s time to start writing. OCAR (Opening, Challenge, Action, Resolution) provides a framework for turning your achievements into compelling narratives that show how and why, not just what. In this post, we’ll explore a step-by-step method and some examples for the four modules in UKRI’s R4RI format. The Method For each module … ...
It’s important to remember that all academic writing is storytelling. Yes, even for scientists. The data don’t speak for themselves - you need to create a narrative that explains how you pursued your research, what happened, who was involved, and why it matters. Humans are wired to respond to stories, so it’s the perfect vehicle for communicating complex ideas. If storytelling feels alien to you, there’s good news: successful stories follow a common structure. There are many different structures you could use, but OCAR is especially helpful for academic writing. ...
The Narrative CV format means thinking about your research in a new way. Rather than creating an exhaustive list of all your achievements, you tell a story that explains why the funding body should give you money. In this post, we’ll consider the audience for your story and also what you might tell them. Thinking about your audience With storytelling, you start by thinking about your audience. In this case, it’s the members of the funding panel. What do they want to know about you when they’re reading your application? Well, they’re almost certainly looking for: ...