Grant Writing for Social Sciences
Overview
In the realm of Social Sciences, the primary focus of grants is to fund research and implementation of evidence-based programs that support things like education and public health. [7] Smaller and more specific grants to fund conference participation, travel, general education costs, and a variety of other expenses are also available. Offerings come from many sources large to small, and both from public and private sources. Two of the largest public grant providers in the United States in this field are the National Institute for Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Some of the most well-known private funding in the field comes from large charitable trusts, like the Carnegie Foundation, and the Ford Foundation. Smaller organizations and even businesses may have funds available for simple costs like travel. Grant funding can allow the expansion of a project to improve viability by increasing sample size or improving technical support. Even small projects that might have other support can benefit from the expanded resources of a grant. [2]
The Basics Grant Writing & RFP
The central focus of grant writing is generating a proposal, or written plan. The proposal explains the intended use of funding. The proposed project must fits the criteria of the request for proposal (RFP) put forward by an organization with funds they wish to distribute. [4] Funding organizations have specific criteria for what kind of activity they will found, who is eligible, how large an allotment they are willing to give, over what time frame, and if the grant is renewable. For this reason it is important to select the appropriate grant to submit to. [3, 4]
The RFP does more than outline the criteria a project must meet for considerations. It also states the required information and formatting of the proposal. Much like a style guide, the RFP will often explain what subject headings to use and in what order, what citation format to use, and even font, size, and page layout. [3, 4]
In the broadest terms, a grant application communicates three key pieces of information to those who will be reviewing the application.
Who is making the request, including why they are qualified to make such a request and be trusted to produce a promised outcome.
Step-by-step plan for exactly what will take place once funding is established, including the end goal or expected completion and when.
Detailed budget listing all aspects of the endeavor and their costs, including any spreadsheets or other info-graphics that illuminate the projected costs.
The completed grant proposal is submitted to the organization that put forward the RFP and subject to a review process. Most often this process is review by a committee or bored. Not all members of the board will be subject matter experts. For this reason it is best not to use heavy amounts of jargon or highly technical vocabulary. It is also recommended to make use of any and all organization allowed by the RFP so that reviewers can start with the section they have the most familiarity with or see as the highest priority. [3, 7]
General Humanities & Social Science Structural Outline
Introduction/Abstract
Problem/Statement of Need
Project Goals & Objectives
Methods
Evaluation
Future Tasks
Budget
Appendix/Appendices
References
Substance & Style
A project that has been well researched, is innovative and well organized is necessary for consideration. This is the substance of the grant proposal. Often looking at the RFP will outline not just the form but the function of the grant through its list of required sections/headings. Much like the peer reviewed journals in the industry, or the formatting of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications, grant applications in the social sciences have similar key points to cover, though the order/name/priority may vary. [4]
A summery varying from one paragraph to one page in length begins the proposal. This introduction or abstract should cover the breath of the proposal from start to finish. It should include any key details like total budget, lead researcher and institutional body the project will be working with. It should also impress upon the reviewers the importance and uniqueness of the proposal, and sets the tone for the rest of the proposal. [3]
The following body of the proposal lays out in full detail the foundation for need of the project, how it will be carried out, and what will be produced. This should include a well-researched background on what has been done previously, what is being done currently, and the vision going forward. Reviewers need to see that while they may not know exactly what you are talking about that you do. Grant proposals should remain focused and clear from beginning to end. [7]
At its core is the value of the project to build on previous work. However, the style of the grant is also crucial to its evaluation. A grant proposal that doesn't follow the RFP well, is disorganized, uses excessive jargon, seems sloppy, is poorly formatted, or fails to impart the urgency and significance of the project may lead to rejection. [3]
Review Criteria
Any strong proposal should hold up to scrutiny. Every part of a project should be accounted for, and any discussion that doesn't pertain to the focus of the project should be eliminated. Many review boards have specific things they are looking for in a grant proposal. Review boards are comprised of concerned parties who many not be subject matter experts. [7]
For example, the NIH has a very strict list of criteria on which they score a grant proposal during the review process; significance, approach, innovation, investigators, and environment. [7]
Significance is the impact or importance of the work being proposed.
Approach is the combination of supporting research and methods. How well has the project been grounded in the most current information available and how exactly the proposed research will be constructed to deliver accurate and useful information?
Innovation is what makes this project different. Does it challenge currently held standards? Does it take current practices in a new direction? Will it produce new methods or technology?
Investigators are those involved. This includes the qualifications of those involved and if they are able to produce results reliably.
Environment is the public agency or portion of the population the project will serve.
While not all review boards operate with such specific evaluation points, or have other evaluation criteria, being able to articulate each of these aspects will strengthen any proposal. In regards to governmental funding, significance and environment can also play a part in current politics as governmental funding is being threatens by budget cuts and greater limitations. [8]
Advice to Writers
Do the research. Not just in the subject matter itself but in the organization offering the grant. This means not just looking at the specified interests of the RFP, but the unspoken ones as well. Often looking at what projects they have given to in the past will outline any trends in their giving that are not clearly articulated in the RFP. [3]
Know who is on the team. Be aware of not just the accolades of those working on the project but the short comings. A grant project is a long term investment of time and energies. [6]
Don't go it alone. Find others that are working on different components of the project or have worked on similar projects to deepen understanding of the work proposed and better focus the proposal. Seek out advice from those who have done previous proposals. Ask others to read over the proposal. [3]
Time and team management can be critical. Make sure to include time during the proposal building process to have a meeting or meetings with the lead members of the project team. This way time can be secured to ask questions and discuss sections of the proposal that might be unclear or difficult to communicating. This time may also allow for feedback on what has been done so far and updates to the proposal. [1]
Read up on grant writing itself or take a workshop. Every bit of polish given to the proposal increases its chance of successfully securing funding. [3]
Government grants may prove challenging do to extensive requirements and complex submission processes, however they are also known to be repeat funders. This can include governments other than the one in which the project presides. Many issues cross borders and thus can open up funding opportunities you might not have expected. [3]
References
Conn, V. C. (2013). Welcome to the Dark Side of Grant Writing. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 35(8), 967-969. Sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1093645913482548
Fouad, N. A. (2016). Reflections on Grant Writing From a Vocational Psychologist. The Counseling Psychologist, 44(4), 536-545. Sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0011000016639147
Gorsevski, E. W. (2016) Writing Successful Grant Proposals. Online text. Rotterdam: SensePublishers. Retrieved 11/18/2018 from https://link-springer-com.proxy.lib.pdx.edu/book/10.1007%2F978-94-6300-390-2
Hamel, A. V. and Furlong, J. S. (2012). The Graduate School Funding Handbook, Third Edition. Philadelphia, PA. University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 9780812221695
Johnson-Eilola, J. and Selber, S. A. (2013). Solving Problems in Technical Communication. Chicago, IL. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 9780226924076
Nelson, D. and Ruffalo, L (2017). Grant Writing: Moving from Generating Ideas to Applying to Grants that Matter. The International Journal of Psychiatry and Medicine, 52(3), 236-244. Sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.na DOI: 10.1177/0091217417730287
Scheier, L. M. and Dewey, W. L. (2008). The Complete Writing Guide to NIH Behavioral Science Grants. New York, NY. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195320275
Zhang, S. (2013). Social Scientists Hit Back at Grant Rules. In Focus: News. Retrieved 11/25/18 from https://www.nature.com/news/social-scientists-hit-back-at-grant-rules-1.14151
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Last updated by Lynette Wolf 11/29/2018