elements of a grant proposal

Elements of a Grant Proposal

First Rule

If the funder specifies a requiredformat or any other guidelines…

FOLLOW THEM!!!

Otherwise, your proposal is likely to be rejected before it is even read.

Standard Elements

• Title/Cover Page

• Abstract

• Background Information

• Problem Statement

• Goals and Objectives

• Clientele

• Methods

• Staff/Administration

• Available Resources

• Needed Resources

• Evaluation

• Outreach/Dissemination

*Often, elements will be combined in sections of proposal. Do not assume that funder will want all elements or will not require more. REVIEW THE RFP!!

Title/Cover PageThe title is your reviewer’s first impression of your proposal.

A title should be:

• Clear• Concise• Have the most important words first• Be void of unnecessary words

Title/Cover PageThe most important words should be first.

Example:

Red-headed Grant Officers’ Preference for Shirt Color

OR

Shirt Color Preference of Red-headed Grant Officers

• What is the overall purpose of your study?• What is the interest of your potential funder?

Is your funder a fashion-industry organization or a geneticist?

Title/Cover Page• Extraneous words should be eliminated.• Strive for a clear, concise title.

Example:

A Systematic Analysis of the Factors Determining Shirt Color Preference Among Red-headed Grant Officers

OR

Shirt Color Preference of Red-headed Grant Officers

ReviewAll of the following are true about a project title, except:

a. The title is included on the title page.

b. The title should be very descriptive. The more words, the

better.

c. The most important words should be first.

d. The title should reflect the overall purpose of the project and appeal to the interests of the funder.

Correct! Titles should be concisely written.

Click here to continue

Incorrect! Click here to try again.

Abstract• Executive Summary• Should be able to stand alone

• The abstract is often used to route proposals to appropriate reviewer.

• Reviewers often have dozens of applications and may use the abstract to eliminate proposals.

AbstractWriting Tips

• Appeal to both experts and novices.

• The abstract should be written after the rest of the proposal is completed.

• Provide a basic overview of the project without extensive details.

AbstractElements of an abstract

• Hypothesis, if applicable

• Overall Goal

• Long-term objectives

• Basic design/methods/activities

• Why is proposal unique and/or significant?

• How is the proposal of relevance to the potential funder?

AbstractDon’t provide the reviewer any reason to suspect:

• Lack of originality in approach

• Poor rationale

• Uncertain outcomes

• Lack of experience

• Lack of significance

• Lack of focus

• A project too broad to be effectively completed

Review

An abstract should include as much information as possible in case the reviewer doesn’t read the rest of the proposal.

True

False

Correct! An abstract should provide an overview of the project in an executive summary format with limited detail.


Incorrect. Although the abstract may be the only section of the proposal some reviewers read, it only serves an executive summary. It is important to provide enough information to define the project, but the remainder of the proposal is the place for details.


ReviewAll of the following are false, except:

a. An investigator’s experience is not important to a funder.

b. Funders are only interested in the project,

not how it applies to them.

c. Funders prefer broad, all-encompassing projects.

d. The abstract should be the first part of the proposal written.

Correct! As the abstract is a summary of the overall project, it should be written last to ensure that important points are emphasized.


Incorrect. Click here to try again.

Background Information

Answer three questions:

• What information is already known?

• What information is not known?

• Why is it important to find out?

Background InformationCritical review of literature or previous activity

How does your proposal:

• Expand upon previous work?

• Eliminate previous mistakes or errors?

• Improve collaboration between initiatives?

• Approach the problem in a unique way?

* Remember: Your reviewer may have been involved in one of the projects you cite. Don’t be overly critical!

Review

Showing the funder that previous projects related to an issue wasted funding will improve a proposals chance of being funded.

True

False

Correct! While the review of literature should be critical, discrediting the work of others is not to your benefit. In fact, the reviewer may have been involved in one of the projects identified.


Incorrect. While the review of literature should be critical, discrediting the work of others is not to your benefit. In fact, the reviewer may have been involved in one of the projects identified.


Problem StatementThe problem is the basis for your project.

• What problem does your project address?

• How do you know the problem is important?

• What other stakeholders believe the problem is important?

• How will addressing the problem benefit the potential funder?

• Why are you best suited to address the problem?

• How will your project lead to long-term solutions?

Review

I do not need to explain why my project is important. The funder should know I wouldn’t have submitted a proposal unless it addressed their guidelines.

True

False

Correct! Never assume a funder understands the importance of your project. Reviewers may be novices.

Click to continue

Incorrect. Never assume a funder understands the importance of your project. Reviewers may be novices.


Goals and Objectives

Goals:

• Broad

• General

• Intangible

• Abstract

• Cannot be validated

Objectives:

• Narrow

• Precise

• Tangible

• Concrete

• Can be validated

Goals and ObjectivesA complete proposal will include both.

• Make sure your goals and objectives overlap with those of the potential funder.

• Objectives form the basis for tying activities to evaluation.

• Objectives should be measurable.

• Objectives should allow clarity in achievement of results.

ReviewObjectives cannot be validated.

True

False

Correct! As measurable statements, objectives can be validated and are important links between the project and it’s evaluation.


Incorrect. As measurable statements, objectives can be validated and are important links between the project and it’s evaluation.


ClienteleDefine Stakeholders

• Have you already involved clientele in proposal development?

• Does clientele support your project?

• Do other agencies involved with your clientele support your project?

• Why is serving your clientele in the best interest of the funder?* Obtain and include Letters of Commitment/Support

Review

It is important to obtain the support of your clientele prior to submitting a proposal.

True

False

Correct! In most cases, it is important that clientele are willing to cooperate with you on your project. In fact, involvement from clientele is considered a plus by most funders.


Incorrect. In most cases, it is important that clientele are willing to cooperate with you on your project. In fact, involvement from clientele is considered a plus by most funders.


MethodsDescribe how you will achieve your objectives and, ultimately,your goals.

• Present methods:

• Clearly

• Orderly

• Sequentially

MethodsMethods should illustrate:

• Innovative or unique approach to the problem

• Collaboration to build consensus

• Value to others after the project is completed

• Data collection, analysis, and interpretation

• How difficulties or limitations will be overcome

• A realistic timetable for completion

ReviewAll of the following apply to the methods section of a proposal, except:

a. Methods should be outlined in a sequential format.

b. If there are collaborators, their contributions should be included.

c. Do not include limitations. My project has none.

d. Value of the project following completion should be noted.

Correct! Difficulties will be encountered in any project. The investigator should attempt to foresee those difficulties and address them.


Incorrect. Click here to try again

Staff and Program Leadership

Key Personnel

• Roles in project

• Name, title, experience, and qualifications

• Commitment to project

Show funder that you have a collaborative, team approach to your project.

Available ResourcesWhat can you bring to the table?

• Collaborators

• Volunteers

• Donations

• Consultants

• Equipment, materials, and supplies

• Letters of Support and Commitment

Needed ResourcesWhat will funder be providing?

• Salaries

• Tasks to be completed

• Facilities

• Equipment, materials, and supplies

• Travel

• Workshops and conferences

*Verify that needed resources match funder’s restrictions

ReviewAll of the following are true, except:

a. Funders appreciate a collaborative, team approach to a project.

b. Funders prefer to provide all support

for a project. They are not interested in contributions from other sources.

c. Before requesting funding, you should

always ensure that each item is eligible under the funder’s guidelines.

d. Letters of support or commitment should be included in a proposal.

Correct! You should always let a funder know what resources you can bring to the project.


Incorrect! Click here to try again

EvaluationHow will you determine whether or not you have achieved your goals?

• Formative Evaluation: Ongoing during course of project; emphasis on activities.

• Summative Evaluation: After project is completed; emphasis on objectives.

Evaluation

• How will you evaluate (surveys, focus groups, interviews, pre/post tests)?

• Include direct reference to stated objectives.

• What happens following the project? Show that goals are sustainable.

*Lack of an effective evaluation plan is a major factor in rejecting funding proposals.

Review

Formative and summative evaluation techniques are both important to your proposal.

True

False

Correct! You should have evaluation mechanisms in place to determine if adjustments need to be made during the course of your project as well as to report your project’s overall effectiveness.


Incorrect. You should have evaluation mechanisms in place to determine if adjustments need to be made during the course of your project as well as to report your project’s overall effectiveness.


Outreach/DisseminationFunders want to know that their money will have an impact.

• How will you distribute information derived from your project?

• Who will benefit from the information distributed?

• What impact do you expect the information to have on clientele?

• What do you expect clientele to do with the information?

• How will you recognize the funder?

Review

Funders do not expect to be recognized for their contribution to your project.

True

False

Correct! Almost all funders desire recognition. This includes federal grant programs.


Incorrect. Almost all funders desire recognition. This includes federal grant programs.


How can I avoid getting rejected?

• Offer a realistic, unique approach to a solvable problem.

• Have a well-designed program.

• Follow all instructions listed in the RFP!

• Ensure that you included a mechanism for recognizing the donor or program.

• Do your research. Make sure your proposal is compatible with the funder’s interests.

• Provide a well-written, organized proposal.

• Illustrate the results and benefits that your proposal will provide, both for the clientele and the funder.

• Provide a vision for long-term sustainability.

Final Test

The funder’s guidelines for a proposal are merely suggestions. I am the expert, and I know how my proposal should be written.

I agree

I disagree

Indeed, in developing a grant proposal, modesty is a virtue.

Click here to proceed

First Rule

If the funder specifies a requiredformat or any other guidelines…

FOLLOW THEM!!!

Otherwise, your proposal is likely to be rejected before it is even read.

Maybe you ought to start over. Or, if you know where you went wrong, click to proceed.

Budget

Now, that’s a whole other presentation!!!

Sources:

• “The Art of Grantsmanship”, by Jacob Kraicer• “Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal”, Learner Associates

elements of a grant proposal

Documents

grant proposal

proposal of relevance

sections of proposal

potential funder

shirt color preference

headed grant officerscorrect

important words

previous projects