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.
$
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