Grant-writing can be an extraordinarily time-consuming process.
It may also be discouraging to receive so many rejection letters. But
you should know that the process itself can be educational. You may
learn about or clarify your own educational goals and those of the institution
within which you work. And rejections may include very specific suggestions
about how to improve your proposals.
If you want to increase your likelihood of getting a grant,
you should at least avoid some of the most common mistakes and get the
basics right. So here are five tips to ensure that you’re on the
right track and your proposal is going to get at least a second look.
1. Learn About the Funder
You can’t have a generic proposal that you submit to numerous
institutions or programs. You need to carefully tailor your proposal
depending on the funding source. This means doing your homework. Find
out what the organization’s objectives are, and speak to those
objectives. Ask to see successful proposals from the past and learn
from those. Consult with people in the organization throughout the grant-writing
process. They can tell you exactly what you need to know so that it
seems less like a crapshoot and more like collaboration. Imagine that
you work for the organization and consider what you would want to see
in a successful proposal.
2. Read the Requirements Carefully
Give the funders exactly what they ask for. If they mention a detailed
timeline, give them a detailed timeline (not just a couple of fuzzy
dates). If they want background on you, then include your CV. You would
be surprised to know how many proposals do not contain all the required
elements. It’s funny, if you think about it, because as teachers
we’re always trying to get our students to read directions more
carefully. Follow the given format, if specified. If they don’t
spell out a required format, then you’ll probably use a standard
grant proposal format that includes an introduction, problem statement,
objectives, methods, evaluation, budget and abstract.
3. Be Specific and Clear
If you want people to give you money, they need to know exactly how
it’s going to be spent. Do very detailed cost analyses in your
budget. Clearly itemize everything. Show exactly how your plan will
address the stated problem. Explain very clearly how you will evaluate
the success of the project. Avoid non-specific quantifiers such as “most,”
“several,” and “some.” Instead, do solid research
so that you can pinpoint numbers and percentages. Express goals in terms
that are specific and measurable. Avoid empty jargon. You will impress
funders with clear and concise plans, not with educational babble.
4. Get Help
Other people’s opinions, be they colleagues, supervisors or family
members, can be invaluable. They can catch mistakes that you have failed
to notice, present a list of questions that they feel you left unanswered,
and provide advice about overall tone. Getting help can also mean paying
a professional. There are people who make their livings writing and
revising grant proposals. Just select a professional carefully and make
sure he or she is willing to work closely with you and not simply turn
out a cookie-cutter proposal and walk away with your check. Remember
too that sometimes the funding organization will actually review drafts
of pieces of your proposal to let you know if you’re on the right
track.
5. Make It Look Good
Or course you want your project to be funded because it achieves noble
educational goals. But you do need to be concerned about the overall
look and feel of your proposal. That includes formatting, which should
include readable fonts of normal sizing, lots of white space, bullet
lists or indentation for information you need to highlight, and figures
presented in tables and charts. You don’t need to be a graphic
designer to make it readable, and if you really feel you’re challenged
in this area then consider hiring someone to do it for you. A well-organized,
nicely presented proposal indicates professionalism, accountability
and care for details. It’s true that creating a great grant proposal
is onerous, but it does get easier and it is well worth it. Post the
overall educational aim of your project in a place you can see it to
remind yourself through the entire process exactly why you’re
doing it.
Where can teachers find grants?
Click below to find out.
|
