How to Write a Successful (International) Grant Proposal

How to Write a Successful (International) Grant Proposal

Prepared by the UB project team

*This article was written in 2017

“A proposal’s overt function is to persuade a committee of scholars that the project shines with the three kinds of merit all discipline value, namely, conceptual innovation, methodological rigor, and rich, substantive content.”

(Przeworski & Salomon, 1995, p.1)

Writing a persuasive grant proposal can be a challenging task but also a very worthwhile one as several hours of effort may lead to significant financial and professional opportunities which can transform a career. Spending time honing the effectiveness and scope of the Research Summary is crucial as it is the first thing the selection committee sees to determine whether the grant proposal is chosen for the next round or eliminated. Therefore, it is essential for a researcher to have a thorough understanding of what is required of in writing a good grant proposal, as well as common mistakes to avoid.

Elements of a Good Grant Proposal

Every funding organization has specific guidelines on the elements of a grant proposal. Grant proposal guidelines must be followed in detail to avoid rejection due to incorrect format without even a cursory review of the proposal content. In some cases, a specific grant application form is provided to applicants and it is essential to follow the prescribed format of the funder. However, a grant proposal generally has the common elements listed below:

1) Cover letter (with research title)

2) Table of contents

3) Executive summary/ Research summary

Normally, a grant proposal is a lengthy document and may total 6-10 pages. A research summary is the ‘window’ to the grant proposal that aims to catch the attention of the funder and motivate him or her to continue reading about the proposal. In the worst-case scenario, it may also become the ultimate decision of acceptance or rejection without review. Thus, it is important to keep the research summary short, concise and clear.

Some important features to note:

• Keep to one page in length

• Provide brief and clear outline of research goals and objectives, timeline, planned output and impact

• Write it last!

4) Need statement/ Problem statement

This section explains how your research is significant in contributing to the solution of a problem or issue.

Some important features to note:

• Highlight problem to solve or issue to address

• Establish the context (background) of the problem

• Inform of who will benefit from the research

• Be realistic and weigh the feasibility to solve within your control and scope

• Make it a compelling case!

5) Goals and objectives

The goals and objectives of the research must be stated clearly. Goals are larger statements of your research purpose and might not be measurable. Objectives are specific statements that are measurable in support of the goals.

Some important features to note:

• Differentiate between goals and objectives

• Provide SMART-oriented objectives: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Reasonable, Time-bound

• Match the objectives of the funding organization!

6) Research methodology

This section is important for the funder to know how this research is to be carried out, why these methods are considered the best for the problem, and how to measure the success of the results to solve the problem. As your research is counting on funder’s resources and funder is depending on your expertise, a well written Research Methodology is not to be taken lightly.

Some important features to note:

• Provide discipline specific and theoretically sound methodology

• Establish a clear link between methodology and objectives

• Highlight new, innovative or unique methods

• Determine research operations and data collection methods such as tools and resources for assessment

• Specify how to measure the results of your finding:

✔ Provide not just a list of operational tasks, but why these tasks are the best to approach the problem

• Include relevant literature

• Provide a Research Timeline Chart (e.g., Gantt Chart) to outline the whole process

• Highlight the expertise of your team of researchers to convince the funder that the research is in the hands of experts who master the techniques and knowledge the research entails

✔ provide details of background/education of researchers

✔ provide details of training undertaken by researchers

✔ highlight scientific track-records or expertise

• Highlight any collaboration activities with other organization or company; or engagement with any consultant in filling the gaps of researcher expertise

• Be as specific as possible!

7) Budget

This section highlights the cost incurred for the research. A good budget proposal reflects the depth of the planning and grants credibility to the applicant. This part will be discussed in greater detail in the later section. Please refer to two examples of budget building: Dartmouth College’s Preparing a Budget for a Research Grant Proposal and The University of Utah’s NSF Budget.

Some important features to note:

• Be guided by the value of the grant

• Be realistic of your request of grant (have someone review the budget)

• Be careful of terms that are used interchangeably, for instance, indirect costs and overhead costs

• Be sure not to inflate the budget for other purposes!

8) Organization history

This section provides information to the funder of your organization vision, mission, and commitment. It is important to let your funder understand your organization’s direction and expertise before they invest in your research.

Some important features to note:

• List the track record of success of your research team

• List the expertise of the team and state the related training received

• Be sure to convince the funder why are you the best candidate!

9) Evaluation plan

This section clarifies strategies of measuring the success of the research through formative and summative evaluation. A funder is most likely concerned with the outcome of each activity carried out along the process. A good evaluation plan convinces the funder how their investment in your research will yield an impressive return.

Some important features to note:

• Include formative evaluation plan for the activities of the research

• Include summative evaluation plan for the objectives of the research

• Create a direct connection between research objectives and evaluation plan

• Ensure that the evaluation plan is realistic and relevant!

10) Appendices

This section indicates materials which are of secondary interest to the funder, by providing additional information such as evaluation instruments (survey, questionnaire, interview guide, etc.), cooperating agency information, letters of support and dissemination plan.

Useful Links

For more details on grant proposal writing, visit:

• Introduction to Proposal Writing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1NhEhovepA

• Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal http://learnerassociates.net/proposal/

• How to Write an Academic Grant Proposal: http://microbe.berkeley.edu/documents/HowtowriteanAcademicGrantProposal-ResourcePackage.pdf

• Common Components of Grant Proposals: University of Southern Indiana

https://www.usi.edu/ospra/grant-proposal-and-federal-contract-development/common-components-of-grant-proposals/

• Grant Proposals (or Give me the money!): The University of North Carolina http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/grant-proposals-or-give-me-the-money/

• How to Write a Grant Proposal: Oxford University Press(OUP) Blog

https://blog.oup.com/2016/10/how-to-write-a-grant-proposal/

Reference

Pzreworski, A., & Salomon, F. (1995). On the art of writing proposals. Social Science Research Council.