Writing Grant Applications

Submission Tips

• Keep it short.
• Remember the basic elements of any grant submission:
  
  
  • What is the problem or need? - Include gaps in knowledge, improvements needed in service, steps that need to be taken in overall goal, and what is currently being done about it in your institution or elsewhere.
  • What you intend to do about it?
  • How you will measure your success?
    
    
• Avoid slogans, jargon, and polemic.
• Assume that the reviewer of this submission is an intelligent lay person familiar with your field in broad terms.
• Use plain language, short paragraphs and clear sentences.
• Write from the reader’s point of view.
• Does this proposal make sense to someone not involved in your field?
• What is unique or important about this proposal?
• Would you fund this proposal?

Remember that the clarity and simplicity of your proposal is critical to its success.

Think of this not as a plea for funding but as an opportunity to compel the grantor to support your project to assist them with achieving their objectives.

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