Guide to Writing the Acknowledgments Section

The acknowledgments section in academic papers, theses, or books is a place to express gratitude to those who supported your work. It should be concise, professional, and placed typically after the main body and before references (or as specified by your publisher/journal). Aim for 150-300 words, focusing on key contributors without over-detailing personal anecdotes. Customize based on your field (e.g., sciences vs. humanities).

I'll break this down by your specific request first, then cover broader structure.

1. Thanking Funding Sources with Grant Numbers

Funding acknowledgments are crucial for transparency and compliance (e.g., many grants require this for accountability). List them early in the section, including the agency, grant number, and any relevant details like duration or principal investigator if applicable. This helps readers trace support and ensures funders get credit.

• Structure Example:


• Start with the main funder(s).


• Include full agency name, grant ID, and a brief note on what it supported (optional but recommended).


• If multiple, use bullets or separate sentences for clarity.


• Phrase politely: Use "This work was supported by..." to avoid implying obligation.


• Sample Phrasing:

"This research was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. 1234567, and the European Research Council (ERC) under Grant Agreement No. ABC-2023-98765. Additional support was provided by the XYZ University Internal Research Fund (Grant No. URF-456). These grants enabled the data collection and analysis phases of this project."

• Tips:


• Verify exact grant details from award letters to avoid errors.


• If no formal grant number (e.g., personal funding), say "supported by a personal fellowship from [Source]."


• For collaborative work, specify if funding was for a specific author or part (e.g., "Funding for the experimental work was provided by...").


• Check journal guidelines—some require a separate "Funding" section or specific formatting.

If your work has no funding, omit this or note "This work was conducted without external funding."

Broader Structure and Additional Elements

Organize the section logically: funding first, then collaborators, followed by others. Use paragraphs or subheadings if long.

• Key Categories to Include (If Applicable):


• Collaborators and Colleagues: Thank advisors, mentors, lab mates, or co-authors for intellectual input. Example: "I am grateful to my advisor, Dr. Jane Smith, for her invaluable guidance, and to the members of the BioLab group for stimulating discussions."


• Technical/Administrative Support: Acknowledge lab technicians, editors, or institutions. Example: "Special thanks to the IT support team at ABC University for computational resources."


• Personal Thanks: Family, friends, or peers for emotional support. Keep it brief and professional: "I extend my heartfelt thanks to my family for their unwavering encouragement during this project."


• Data/Permissions: If using others' data, note: "We appreciate the [Institution] for providing access to the dataset under [License]."


• General Tips:


• Tone: Gracious and sincere; avoid excessive praise or humor unless your field/style allows it.


• Length and Order: Prioritize formal (funding, academics) over personal. End on a positive note.


• Inclusivity: Use gender-neutral language (e.g., "colleagues" instead of assuming pronouns).


• Proofread: Ensure names, titles, and spellings are correct—double-check with recipients.


• Ethics: Don't imply contributions that could imply authorship; reserve that for co-author lists.


• Examples from Fields:


• STEM: Heavy on funding/grants, equipment acknowledgments.


• Humanities: More on archival access or peer review feedback.

If you share more details (e.g., your field, specific funders, or full list of thanks), I can help refine a draft. What's next on your list?