AuthorAID Workshop on Proposal Writing

1. AuthorAID Workshopon Proposal Writing Ethiopia May 2012

2. Other Aspects Barbara Gastel, MD, MPH AuthorAID Knowledge Community Editor Professor, Texas A&M University bgastel@cvm.tamu.edu

3. Overview • Revising and resubmitting proposals • Following up: preparing progress reports • Some additional resources • Looking ahead • Wrap-up exercise

4. Revising and Resubmitting Proposals

5. Revising and Resubmitting a Proposal • Note: For some funding sources, revising and resubmitting proposals is common. • In revising the proposal, use the advice from the reviewers. • Consider consulting the program officer. • In general, accompany the revised proposal with a list showing, point by point, how the reviewers’ advice was followed. • If appropriate, indicate the revisions typo-graphically (for example, using Track Changes).

6. Following Up:Preparing Progress Reports

7. Progress Reports: Some Functions • For the funding source or supervisor: help see how the work is progressing and thus whether the plans or funding level should be adjusted • For those doing the work: • Provide incentive to keep up • Aid in assessing one’s own progress and adjusting one’s approach • Provide material to use in presentations and publications

8. Preparing to Write a Progress Report • Obtain any instructions or forms. • If feasible, obtain relevant examples to use as models. • Review your proposal or project plan.

9. Progress Reports: A Common Structure • Background information • Summary of project plan • Description of present status • Achievements thus far • Comparison of progress with that expected • Significant problems encountered, if any • Conclusions • Overall assessment • Proposed modifications, if any

10. Writing a Progress Report • In general, structure the progress report like the project plan. • Be specific. Include numbers, names, and dates. • If appropriate, include tables and figures. • Consider using headings etc to guide readers.

11. Writing a Progress Report (cont) • Strive to sound positive, competent, and confident. • Do not hide problems. Say how they are being addressed. • If you write a series of progress reports on a project, put each in the same format. • Edit the progress report carefully.

12. An Example of a Seriesof Progress Reports • June 2010 • September 2010 • December 2010 • March 2011

13. Additional Resources

14. Some Resources • Proposal Writing Short Course (from the Foundation Center; available in 6 languages): http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse • Writing Your [Grant] Application: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/writing_application.htm • Grand Challenges Canada Proposal Development Resource (http://www.grandchallenges.ca/proposaldevelopment/) • AuthorAID: http://www.authoraid.info

15. Looking Ahead

16. Looking Ahead • A suggestion: To maintain the momentum from this workshop, come up with—and follow—a plan for finishing and submitting your proposal. • Another suggestion: Consider sharing materials from this workshop with others. • A request: If your proposal is approved, please let us know. You can write to bgastel@cvm.tamu.edu or authoraid@inasp.info.

17. Wrap-Up Exercises

18. Exercise 1:Looking Ahead • Start drafting a list of things you still need to do in order to bring your proposal to completion. • Identify ways that you might be able to share content from this workshop, either formally or informally.

19. Exercise 2:Identifying Key Points • List 5 of the most important points to remember from this workshop. • List 3 pieces of advice from this workshop that you plan to use in preparing or revising your proposal. • With others in your group, prepare a “master list” containing points and advice listed by various members.

20. Exercise 3:Proposing a 1-Day Workshop Propose a 1-day workshop on proposal writing. The proposal should include, but need not be limited to, the following: • The reason(s) that holding the workshop would be advisable • The potential source(s) of funding and why they were chosen • The workshop plan (attendees, activities, speakers, location, facilities, and timing, etc), with the justification for each choice • The budget (including the costs or ways to determine them) • A timeline for preparing for the workshop, holding the workshop, and following up • A plan for evaluating the workshop • A title for the proposal

21. Thank you!