Grant Writing Tips

A variety of grant writing tips, classes, and software are available to help you streamline the process and improve your overall results.

With the wide availability of funds for individuals, institutions, and businesses, it is essential that you spend time organizing your grant writing effort. There is a great deal of competition for funding, and awards are granted to the best prepared proposals.

Where do I start?

Before your search even begins, you need to know what you intend to accomplish. Any project you choose must support the needs of your school or community. Grant providers want to clearly see the necessity of your program, so it is important to make sure that your project fulfills a need. The time and effort spent investigating this question will pay off when it comes time to write your grant proposal. Conduct preliminary research to find a solid educational foundation for your project. Map out the necessary steps, including funding at each stage. Keep in mind how you will evaluate your project using measurable outcomes throughout your design phase. Keep a project worksheet.

Grant writing classes

Grant writing classes can show you how to write a grant that gets funded. These courses will teach you to prepare grants effectively and to find the best funding sources. There are many grant writing classes and training programs across America that can dramatically enhance performance in grant writing. These classes and programs focus on delivering a learning experience that gets grant writers excited about the limitless possibilities of their work, and imparts significant information in a way that's easy to retain and is immediately applicable.

Grant writing software

Grant writing software programs are widely available on the Internet that can be extremely helpful in getting the funding you seek. Software applications include grant writing simulation exercises, tutorials providing step by step details, and specific instructions on completing the required forms. Grant writing software can help you create a grant proposal that is well-prepared, thoughtfully planned, and concisely packaged.

Tips to remember

One of the most important grant writing tips to remember is that even if you submit a perfect application, you may still get rejected. Most foundations have limited resources with which to fund projects, so don't get discouraged if you get rejected from a potential funding source.

1. Read the grantor's guidelines and instructions carefully, and don't try to make their program fit what you want to do. Your program must conform to the funding agency's priorities.

2. Ideas should be fresh, innovative, and creative. Private foundations often seek creative solutions to their needs, so try proposing a project that puts a fresh spin on an existing idea.

3. Have an evaluation plan, a detailed budget, and be realistic! Grantors want to know if the projects they fund are meeting their goals. Research all projected costs prior to submitting your application, and be sure to explain your budget thoroughly (even if you aren't required to do so).

4. Clarity in communicating your ideas is very important, so have someone who is not involved with the project read and critique your draft application for an objective perspective. And, as obvious as it might sound, make sure to proofread! Grammar and spelling errors do not project a positive image.

5. Follow the grantor's instructions precisely. Applications are automatically rejected that do not meet the funding agency's requirement.

6. If your application is turned away, ask the grantor for reviewer comments. Use the feedback for improving on future grant applications. And always write thank-you letters, even if your project is not funded!

Article Resources

Office of Extramural Research
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/grant_tips.htm

Grants and Debarment
http://www.epa.gov/ogd/recipient/tips.htm