While preparing my application I wanted to freshen my approach to the content I’d been engaging with for three years of PhD study. I found it useful to return to my findings, engage with new literature and adjacent fields, and reframe my original research questions from a policy angle. This helped me conceptualise a project that felt like a new phase of research and writing rather than a straightforward continuation of my PhD. This was probably more of a mindset shift rather than anything immediately obvious, but I think that allowed me to prepare what I hope was a novel, realistic proposal. Also, try to approach people who aren’t directly in your field or familiar with your work to discuss your application. I found that feedback incredibly helpful!