grant badr

Introduction to

Grant writing Badr Mesbah

What is a grant?

• “A grant is a mechanism by which an agency awards money to fund a research study or other activity, such as an educational program, service program, demonstration, or research project.”

• A Grant is a conditional gift or a conveyance of funds with strings attached.

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Why apply for a grant?

• Advance scientific knowledge in your field AND advance your professional career • A grant means that experts in the field acknowledge your idea as important and worthy of public or private support.

• A grant means an enhanced prestige of your institution.

Why apply for a grant? • A grant means a contribution to the financial health of your school. • A grant means new opportunities for your research assistants. • A grant means a new program that otherwise can be too expensive for your institution to support and implement

In grants…

• You are writing to persuade people who have money to spend their money on your idea • You must sell your idea to the people who have the money • Know what they want, what they expect.

• How can your project make the funder’s agenda look good?

Writing a Grant is Like Playing a Game

You have to Play by the Rules • GET the guidelines • READ the guidelines • FOLLOW the guidelines

Grant process • Concept Paper – 2-4 pages – highlights

• Pre-proposal – 5 pages – reviewed – invited to submit full proposal

Grant process • Full Proposal – from 10-40 pages – forms – attachments – specific format

What’s a Concept Paper?

Facilitates productive discussion with Program Official 􀂋 Study Goals: You want support to do what? 􀂋 Problem/Background : Why does this topic need study? 􀂋 Significance : Why this is important to the field?

• Research Question • What hypotheses will you test?

• Design/Analysis • What study design and statistical approach do you propose?

• Who will be the key participants and collaborators?

Following the Guidelines • • • •

You must follow the guidelines exactly.

Respond to all sections.

Adhere to any format restrictions.

Topics must be covered in order presented in guidelines.

• Use headings that correspond to the guidelines.

Good Presentation 3 Simple Steps: • Read the application instructions carefully • Read the application instructions carefully • Don’t forget …

• ... read the application instructions carefully

Parts of a Grant Application • • • • • • •

Cover Page Table of Contents Abstract Problem or Needs Statement Goals and Objectives Methodology Quality of Key Personnel

Parts of a Grant Application • • • • • • •

Evaluation Dissemination References Cited Budget & Narrative Vitae Appendices Forms, Certifications

The Title • The title is important • It should covey what the project is about

• It is often used to assign review groups

Abstract • Should be able to stand alone – it may be all the reviewers read

• Publishable quality • Clear, concise, one page, single space • Cover all key elements in order

Background and Significance or Need Statement • In your initial background (or “need” section, you MUST make your initial case to funders • In today’s environment, this means a compelling case for funding backed by good data

Data, data, data 1-2-3 • 1 – Use statistical data from national or international sources • 2 – Use an expert’s statement • 3 – Use an anecdote

Significance • Why your idea is worth funding above all others • Is there a successful project like yours somewhere else?

• Do you have preliminary results?

• Is your project replicable?

• Look into the future – what would it mean for the people project succeeds

Aim of the work and Objectives • Both the aim and objectives should flow logically from the statement of need.

• The aim convey the ultimate intent of the proposed project, the overarching philosophy.

• The opening statement of this section should begin with “the aim of this project is to…”

Objecvtives • The objectives state the essence of the proposed work in terms of what will be accomplished.

• Break the goal down to specific measurable pieces, the outcomes of which can be measured to determine actual accomplishments.

Plan of Action, Project Design, or Methodology • Usually, this is the area allotted the most points.

• Often poorly written.

• 2:5 proposals are turned down because the methodology is unsound.

Plan of Action, Project Design, or Methodology • Often the most detailed and lengthy section • What specific activities will allow you to meet your objectives • Task oriented, specific, detailed • Essential that you demonstrate all the steps necessary to complete project with each flowing logically from the previous to the next.

Methodology • Walk the reader through your project • Describe the activities as they relate to the objectives • Develop a time line and/or and organizational chart

Methodology • If methodology is new or unique explain why it is better than that previously used • Specify research design and why it was chosen.

• Include descriptions of variables and their relationships.

• Define all important terms

Methodology • Provide descriptions of data sources including subjects, how they will be selected, the size of subject pool, and the size of the sample.

• Describe all procedures • Include pilot instruments and data when possible • Step-by-step work plan

Questions for Methodology • • • • • •

How will the activities be conducted?

When?

How long?

Who? Where?

What facilities?

Quality of Key Personnel • Who Are these People, and Why Should we Give them our Money?

Quality of Key Personnel • This is where you demonstrate that you are the right person to do this project.

• Do not simply say “See resume.”

• Convince the funding agency the you are capable of accomplishing what you say you can accomplish • Highlight the expertise of all key personnel • Include experience you have had managing other projects

Quality of Key Personnela • Weak qualifications or inexperience in some cases can be compensated for by adding appropriate consultants. Include why you need consultants and how you chose them.

• If you don’t identify a person, summarize the job description or qualifications required and how you will find that person • Indicate responsibilities of all, and level of effort.

Institution’s Qualifications • Why should the award be made to your institution?

• Highlight institution’s capabilities, relation of the project to mission.

• Facilities, support, library, computer, etc.

Evaluation • Did it go up or down?

• Were they happy?

Evaluation • Formative evaluation of objectives – how the project will be evaluated as it progresses

• Summative evaluation of objectives – how the project will be evaluated when it is finished

A Good Evaluation Plan: • Tells who will perform the evaluation and how they were chosen • Defines the criteria by which the program will be evaluated • Evaluates the achievement of each objective • Explains assessment instruments • Describes data analysis procedures • Relates evaluation findings to a plan for program improvement • Describes evaluation reports to be produced

Dissemination • Process by which your project is reported to other professionals and the public. • Important to the funding agency.

Dissemination • How will you make the research results available to others? • Will there be workshops, publications, or conferences?

The Budget • A restatement in money terms of the methods section - no surprises • Realistic, don’t inflate • Two parts to a budget – the budget form which breaks the budget into specific categories – a budget narrative that explains how you arrived at these figures and why you need the money

Other Possible Sections • References or Literature Cited – use standard format

• Facilities – what is available – show you have access to what you need

Letters • Letters of Support – We think it’s a good idea – referred to in text, put in appendix

• Letters of Commitment – Evidence of interest in project from participants – if project is funded they are ready with their contribution

Editing your Grant • After you have finished your draft: – set it aside for a day – revise

• Have someone else read it without taking notes • Have them tell you what your project is about • Edit for clarity and conciseness

Formatting and Typing Checklist • Use margins, type size and spacing as requested • white paper • Adhere to page limits • Address all sections of guidelines and review criteria

Formatting and Typing Checklist • • • • • •

Address review criteria Make sure the budget balances Standard bibliography format Complete all forms Proofread/spell check Check duplication process

Executive Summary(write me last!)

• Provide overview of the project • Include at least a sentence on each of the parts of the proposal requested by the grant maker • Some reviewers will see only this summary

The Final Document • Readable, neat, easy to handle • Avoid fancy covers or a slick appearance • Be sure sections are easily identifiable and table of contents is accurate • Required number of copies • Necessary signatures in blue ink

The Fatal Mistake

Is to not write a proposal.

It is absolutely fatal.

Writing (holds people back)…

• If you can think, you can write • Whatever you can imagine, you can create • If you can’t write it, it hasn’t been thought out well yet • Websites available on writing, on writing grants in particular

Good Luck