Basic Elements of Grant Writing

http://www.cpb.org/grants/grantwriting.html

Successful grant writing involves the coordination of several activities, including planning, searching for data and resources, writing and packaging a proposal, submitting a proposal to a funder, and follow-up.

How to Enhance a Grant Proposal

http://www.epa.gov/seahome/grants/src/msieopen.htm

An applicant should follow the directions in the grant application.

When writing the proposal

PLACE YOURSELF IN THE REVIEWER'S SHOES.

1. Proposal Summary

The proposal summary appears at the beginning of the proposal and outlines the project. It can be a cover letter or a separate page. It should be brief: no longer than two or three paragraphs. It is often helpful to prepare the summary after the proposal has been developed. This makes it easier to include all the key points necessary to communicate the objectives of the project. The summary document becomes the foundation of the proposal. The first impression it gives will be critical to the success of the venture. It very possibly could be the only part of the package that is carefully reviewed before the decision is made to consider the project further.

2. Problem Statement

The problem statement (or needs assessment) is a key element of a proposal. It should be a clear, concise,well-supported statement of the problem to be overcome using the grant funding. An applicant could include data collected during a needs assessment that would illustrate the problems to be addressed. The information provided should be both factual and directly related to the problem addressed by the proposal.

3. Project Objectives

The project objectives should clearly describe the goals of the project. Applicants should explain the expected results and benefits of each objective. They should also list the specific criteria of the grant program. Then, describe how the proposal meets each criterion.

4.Project Methods or Design

The project method outlines the tasks that will be accomplished with the available resources. It is helpful to structure the project method as a timeline. Early in the planning process, applicants should list the tasks that will have to be completed to meet the goals of the project. They can then break these into smaller tasks and lay them out in a schedule over the grant time period. This will provide a chance to consider what personnel, materials, and other resources will be needed to carry out the tasks.

Writing a Successful Grant Proposal

http://www.mcf.org/mcf/grant/writing.htm

Introduction: A funder's guidelines will tell you what to include in a grant proposal for their organization. Most funders want the same basic information, even if they use different words or ask questions in a different order

Problem/Need/Situation Description This is where you convince the funder that the issue you want to tackle is important and show that your organization is an expert on the issue. Here are some tips:

Don't assume the funder knows everything much about your subject area.

Why is this topic important? What research did you do, to learn about the topic and decide how to tackle it?

Grant Writing Tips Sheets

http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/grant_tips.htm

Information which is very specific to NIH proposals.

PROPOSAL WRITING: INTERNET RESOURCES

http://www.library.wisc.edu/libraries/Memorial/grants/proposal.htm

Information posted by the University of Wisconsin – several resources.

NSF Guidelines

http://www.nsf.gov/nsf/nsfpubs/gpg/start.htm

Some information from the NSF guidelines:

A. The Proposal

The proposal should present the

objectives and scientific or educational significance of the proposed work;
suitability of the methods to be employed;
qualifications of the investigator and the grantee organization;
effect of the activity on the infrastructure of science, engineering, and education in these areas; and
amount of funding required.

It should present the merits of the proposed project clearly and should be prepared with the care and thoroughness of a paper submitted for publication.

Sufficient information should be provided that reviewers will be able to evaluate the proposal in accordance with the four merit-review criteria established by the National Science Board.

B.WHEN TO SUBMIT

Proposals to most programs may be submitted at any time. Proposers should allow up to 6 months for review and processing. Some programs set target dates or deadlines for submission of proposals to allow time for their consideration by advisory committees or specially assembled review panels which meet periodically. These target dates and deadlines are published in the NSF Bulletin and in specific program announcements and solicitations. Proposals received on or before the target date or postmarked on or before the deadline date will be accepted for review.

C. Conformance With Instructions for Proposal Preparation

It is important that all proposals conform to the instructions provided in this Section and the Proposal Forms Kit. Conformance is required and will be strictly enforced unless a deviation has been approved. Proposals that are not consistent with these instructions may be returned without further consideration by NSF. Particular attention will be given to proposal length, content and formatting, including the page limit on the Project Description, page limitations on other proposal sections, and the use of Appendices.

D. Sections of the Proposal

Each section of the proposal must be separately paginated and include both the section and page number on the bottom center of each page (e.g., C-1, C-2). The proposal must be assembled. Proposals must be stapled in the upper left-hand corner, ...

Some General Observations