Transcript Tips for Successful Grant Writing
Tips for Successful Grant Writing B.D. Hayes, DSW, MPH, MSW
Learning Objectives
To provide a model for developing your proposal ideas To review winning grant writing tips To identify strategies for mutually beneficial partnering/collaborations To increase extramural funding for a variety of projects
A successful grant proposal is one that is well-prepared, thoughtfully planned and concisely packaged …………….………….CFDA
Write first
Funding Second
The Three Essential Laws of Successful Grant Writing
Do your homework
Follow instructions
Use Common Sense
General Tips and Comments
Take sufficient time to prepare a good abstract, LOI, or a concept paper Avoid the use of jargon and acronyms Always include a budget and budget justification Be careful when/where you cut and paste: assure uniformity of font size and type ALWAYS use a reader and get editorial assistance
Traits of a Successful Grant Getter
Research skills Salesmanship skills Communication skills Ingenuity skills Administrative skills Human relations Persistence, dedication, patience Ability to work hard Political awareness and action Integrity
SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS
Direct, concise, compelling, convincing, capable and resourceful Addresses a significant/important problem Explicit goals, measurable objectives Comprehensive but succinct background review Methodology fits problem Appropriate funding mechanism
Unsuccessful Applications
Failure to follow directions Lack of knowledge about relevant literature Lack of new or original ideas Questionable reasoning in research design Diffuse, superficial, or unfocused research Lacks clearly stated hypothesis and rationale Lack of an overall research goal; uncertainty about future directions Lack of demonstrated experience in selected methodology (lacks detail) Format issues Over-ambitious
Developing Your Idea(s)
Needs Assessment Evidence of problem Local, county, state, national Capability Assessment Organizational People Past and present history Resources (funds, expertise, etc.)
Grant Writing Process
Begins with a good idea Review the components of a successful grant Apply the model Evaluate and discuss the plan Literature review Analysis of current research/activity in the field Develop team
The Task You Face
Clearly Identify the Need Make sure the needs are those of the target population Define the Solution Use a Problem/Needs approach Carefully Design the Project How a problem is defined often determines an approach to develop a solution
Basic Components
The Proposal Summary Introduction Project Methods or Design Project Evaluation Problem Statement (or Needs Assessment) Project Budget Future Funding Project Objectives
General Tips and Comments
General Tips and Comments
Take sufficient time to prepare a good abstract, LOI, or a concept paper Avoid the use of jargon and acronyms Always include s budget and budget justification Be careful when/where you cut and paste: assure uniformity of font size and type ALWAYS use a reader and get editorial assistance
References
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Writing Grant Proposals That Win
. Edited by Deborah Ward. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2006.
Jeremy T Miner and Lynn E. Miner.
Models of Proposal Planning & Writing
. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2005.
John W. Cresswell.
Research Design: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches
. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1994.
Lawrence F. Locke, Waneen Wyrick Spirduso and Stephen J. Silverman.
Proposals that Work: A guide for Planning Dissertations and Grant Proposals
(4 th Ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2000.
Arlene Fink.
Conducting Research Literature Reviews: From Paper to Internet.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1998.
Liane Reif-Lehrer.
Grant Application Writers Handbook
Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2005.
(4 th Ed.) Sudbury, MA: Surf the Internet: Proposal Writing (Be Careful!)