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Instructions: Below are some questions and suggestions for different sections of grant proposals. Feel free to work on these sections in any order you wish. As you work on the Proposal Heuristic, you may also find it helpful to refer to the Proposal Planner. Encourage others to contribute their ideas as you develop your grant request. |
Cover Letter (if expected)
After providing your contact information, how can you sell your proposal?
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Convert a "grand vision" into concrete language.
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Be concise. Use brief descriptions. Make it unique!
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Cite the uniqueness of the program.
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Highlight any outside endorsements.
Abstract/Summary - 50-200 Words
- What is urgent about your proposal?
- What kind of grant are you seeking? In-kind contribution? Straight grant?
- What is the duration of the grant?
- Who will benefit? How many?
- How will your proposal solve the problem?
Introduction
- How does the project relate to your organization's past and future?
- What are the objectives and achievements of your organization?
- What is your organization's purpose or mission as related to RFP?
The Narrative
Present your argument - problem/solution/scope – using the funder’s evaluative criteria as a template. Be sure to clarify how the proposal meets the funder’s mission. To provide evidence for your argument you can provide a review of all literature, case studies and ethnographies, a track record in the project area, any surveys or lab research already done, and letters of support.
Statement of Need
Provide an overview of your purpose, goals, objectives, and relate its mission to the funding organization. It is helpful to provide background and perspective about your organization.
Objectives
Objectives are concrete, measurable elements of what you hope to accomplish. State in terms of
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Action
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Time Frame,
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Process
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End Results
Methods
Describe how you intend to meet your objectives.
Order in which you plan to carry this out.
Defend why this method is best.
Evaluation
Project Budget
For your convenience, we recommend you use Sandra Schneider's Budget Proposal Worksheet. Use the password that was given out in the workshop. Remember your budget may be cut ten to twenty percent so you may wish to seek additional funding for graduate student help and a percentage of your own time.
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Give dollar figures for the total project cost.
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Including any percentage of funds already committed.
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Present a line-item list and justify all expenses.
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Avoid padding items.
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Account for inflation.
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Who else will contribute funding? Partners?
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What are alternate plans for funding?
Create a project timeline – start and end dates, schedules of activities, and projected outcomes.
Sustainability
- What if funding is to be discontinued?
- Demonstrate long-term financial viability.
- Prove either:
- that the project is finite
- that the project is capacity-building
- that the project is attractive to future funding, or,
- that your institution can assume responsibility for future funding.
Staffing and Administration
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Make a flow chart or map to illustrate.
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Map out strategies, activities, related resources, staff, etc.
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Credentials certify the ability to handle the project. Include your institution's track record and individual resumes.
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Figure salaries and wage changes (see Budget).
Appendices
- Letters of endorsement
- Credentials
- Surveys
- Preliminary Research
- Social and economic impact statements