Elements of a Grant Proposal

1. Elements of a Grant Proposal

2. First Rule FOLLOW THEM!!! Otherwise, your proposal is likely to be rejected before it is even read. If the funder specifies a required format or any other guidelines…

3. Standard Elements • Methods • Staff/Administration • Available Resources • Needed Resources • Evaluation • Outreach/Dissemination • Title/Cover Page • Abstract • Background Information • Problem Statement • Goals and Objectives • Clientele *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!!

4. Title/Cover Page • The 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

5. Title/Cover Page The most important words should be first. • What is the overall purpose of your study? • What is the interest of your potential funder? Example: Red-headed Grant Officers’ Preference for Shirt Color OR Shirt Color Preference of Red-headed Grant Officers Is your funder a fashion-industry organization or a geneticist?

6. 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

7. Review All of the following are true about a project title, except: a. The title is included on the title page. The title should be very descriptive. The more words, the better. c. The most important words should be first. The title should reflect the overall purpose of the project and appeal to the interests of the funder.

8. Correct! Titles should be concisely written. Click here to continue

9. Incorrect! Click here to try again.

10. 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.

11. Abstract Writing 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.

12. Abstract Elements 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?

13. Abstract Don’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

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

15. Correct! An abstract should provide an overview of the project in an executive summary format with limited detail. Click here to continue

16. 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. Click here to continue

17. Review All of the following are false, except: An investigator’s experience is not important to a funder. Funders are only interested in the project, not how it applies to them. Funders prefer broad, all-encompassing projects. The abstract should be the first part of the proposal written.

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

19. Incorrect. Click here to try again.

20. Background Information Answer three questions: • What information is already known? • What information is not known? • Why is it important to find out?

21. Background Information Critical 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!

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

23. 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. Click here to continue

24. 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. Click here to continue

25. Problem Statement The 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?

26. 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

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

28. Incorrect. Never assume a funder understands the importance of your project. Reviewers may be novices. Click here to continue

29. Goals and Objectives • Goals: • Broad • General • Intangible • Abstract • Cannot be validated • Objectives: • Narrow • Precise • Tangible • Concrete • Can be validated

30. Goals and Objectives A 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.

31. Review Objectives cannot be validated. True False

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

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

34. Clientele Define 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

35. Review It is important to obtain the support of your clientele prior to submitting a proposal. True False

36. 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. Click here to continue

37. 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. Click here to continue

38. Methods Describe how you will achieve your objectives and, ultimately, your goals. • Present methods: • Clearly • Orderly • Sequentially

39. Methods Methods 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

40. Review All of the following apply to the methods section of a proposal, except: Methods should be outlined in a sequential format. If there are collaborators, their contributions should be included. Do not include limitations. My project has none. Value of the project following completion should be noted.

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

42. Incorrect. Click here to try again

43. 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.

44. Available Resources What can you bring to the table? • Collaborators • Volunteers • Donations • Consultants • Equipment, materials, and supplies • Letters of Support and Commitment

45. Needed Resources What 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

46. Review All of the following are true, except: Funders appreciate a collaborative, team approach to a project. Funders prefer to provide all support for a project. They are not interested in contributions from other sources. 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.

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

48. Incorrect! Click here to try again

49. Evaluation How 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.

50. 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.