AuthorAID Workshop on Proposal Writing Sri Lanka March 2010

Overview: Plan for Today Morning and early afternoon –Brief presentations from small groups –Lectures Revising and resubmitting grant proposals Preparing progress reports Applying for a grant from IFS (IFS Representative) Then –Exercise: starting to draft or revise your own proposal; envisioning a paper based on the work –Brief presentations based on exercise

Also: From Dr. Mahakalanda Proposal-writing flowchart

Revising and Resubmitting Grant Proposals

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).

Progress Reports

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 draw on for presentations and publications

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

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

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.

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.

Exercise: Starting to Draft or Revise Your Proposal 1.Form a group of about 3 people (ideally in the same field or related fields). 2.First, work mainly individually: If you brought a draft of a proposal, start deciding what revisions to make. (If you have questions, ask fellow group members or a facilitator.) If you didn’t bring a draft of a proposal, start writing down plans for a proposal. (If you have questions, ask fellow group members of a facilitator.)

Exercise (cont) 3.Imagine a journal article reporting on the work that you propose. If you’ve done the work as described in the proposal, will you have all the information needed to write the article? If not, revise the proposal accordingly.

Exercise (cont) 4.Present to your fellow group members your plans to revise or write a proposal. Your fellow group members should serve as peer reviewers, noting strengths and making suggestions. 5.In your group, decide which one of the proposals to present to the full workshop. Work together on preparing an approximately 3-minute presentation.

Looking Ahead

Continuing to work on articles and proposals

Sharing Workshop Content?

Providing Translations to Post?

Thank you!