How to Start the Grant Writing Process and Find Funding Opportunities Presented by: The Office of Sponsored Programs

Basic overview of the grant process and agenda for the workshop 1.Grant writing begins with a passionate idea 2.Grant writing is a business process 3.There are three primary businesses that fund grants 4.Homework is required to find the best business sponsor for your grant 5. Homework is required to prepare the most competitive business proposal

Passionate and successful grant ideas  Prevent or reduce a community problem or researches a major issue facing society.  Always help a targeted population.  Attack problems through creative, innovative programs or services.  Result in gaining knowledge about how to prevent or reduce a problem.  Disseminate the new knowledge to others.  Can be easily replicated.

Grant writing is a business process  Submitting a proposal may be compared to a business where income must be earned from a competitive process  Like a business proposal, your Grant Proposal is the presentation of your work to the persons (Sponsors) who will decide whether they want to invest in your idea (Proposal).  A major goal of a Proposal is to convey the important points in a very efficient, succinct, and interesting manner. Otto O. Yang, (2007). Guide to Effective Grant Writing. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. New York, NY.

Three major business entities that fund grants  Federal Agencies  Foundations  Corporations 1.Locating funding sources DOES NOT start with a sponsor. 2.It is not fundraising for a specific item. 3.Sponsors provide funding to meet their own agendas and goals. 4.It takes time to secure funding. 5.You have to ignore your fear of rejection. 6.Developing a relationship with a sponsor is critical.

Need to research who would be the best business sponsor for your project

You need a sponsor who..  Considers your problem a priority  Funds comparable projects  Funds in your geographical area  Has eligibility requirements that won’t exclude your organization from funding

Resources for locating funding sources  Office of Government Grants Website  SPIN module within InfoEd

Need to prepare the most competitive business proposal

First you must carefully review the Request for Proposal (RFP) Is it worth applying?  Eligibility  Time Frame  Appropriateness  Effort Required  Return on Investment  Likelihood of Success What format is required?  Do you understand what proposal elements are required?  Do you need to contact the sponsor for clarification?  Do you need additional forms or instructions?  Can you review a copy of a previously awarded proposal for this program?

Then simply follow the sponsor’s recipe (RFP) to create your outline for the proposal

Common elements of a proposal  Cover Letter  Signed Face Page  Abstract (Summary)  Table of Contents  Narrative/Project Description  Budget/Sustainability Plan  Letters of Support  Resumes/Biosketches/Job Descriptions Project Description: Introduction (background) Problem Statement Specific Aims: Goals & Objectives Methodology: Work plan Personnel & Facilities Evaluation Dissemination Plan Conclusion

Other important ingredients  FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY  Sponsors require a highly standardized format that should be strictly followed. The reason for this rigid organization is that it provides a standard framework that makes it easier for the reviewers to: read and assess multiple grants. to locate specific information within the application quickly.  Different types of grants each have different goals, page limitations, budget restrictions and research priorities

Organization and aesthetics matter  Appearance and attention to details count because they make a first impression.  A document that is disorganized, displeasing to the eye and or difficult to read may be interpreted as reflecting lack of care and effort in planning of the project.  Following the detailed requirements of the RFP in your proposal demonstrates to the Sponsor that you will apply the same strict adherence to details when conducting your project. Revised 11/24/08