INTRODUCTIONto

GRANT WRITING

Presented by:

College of Social & Behavioral Sciences and

Social & Behavioral Sciences Research Institute

Instructor: JoAnn di Filippo

Joannd@u.arizona.edu

All information contained in this presentation may be found at the

SBSRI web site located at:

www.w3.arizona.edu/~sbsri/

Workshop Objectives

Objective 1:To gain a better understanding to the grant writing process

Objective 2:To develop a preliminary grant proposal that you can submit to an agency for funding

Presentation Focus . . .

• The majority of the information contained in this presentation focuses on procedures for filing a research grant application to organizations like the National Science Foundation, however . . .

• Information contained in this presentation also discusses general components of a non-research grant application.

Development Workshop Agenda

1. Introduction

2. Access to Information & How to Locate Funding

3. Reading an RFP / NOFA

4. Constructing the Grant Narrative

5. Sample NSF grant application and Reviewer Comments

6. Sample Writing Exercises

Pre-Proposal Contacts• 4-STEP PROCESS to fine tune your proposal

planning:

1. Download the application forms and guidelines from the Internet or write for the application forms and guidelines

2. Call a past grantee

3. Call a past reviewer

4. Contact the Program Officer

General Information on Completing a Grant Application

• Potential applicants frequently direct questions to officials of the Department regarding application notices and programmatic and administrative regulations governing various direct grant programs.

• In general, this information applies to all grant competitions, however, it is necessary to review grant guidelines for each and every grant.

Extension of Deadlines

• Waivers for individual applications are not granted, regardless of circumstances. Under very extraordinary circumstances a closing data may be changed. Such changes are announced in the Federal Register and apply to all applications.

Copies of the Application

• Each grant guideline will state the number of original(s) and copies that must be provided to the grantor. If bound, one copy should be left unbound to facilitate electronic scanning and any necessary reproduction.

• Applicants should not use colored paper, foldouts, photographs, or other materials that are hard to duplicate.

Notification of Funding

• You can expect to receive notification within 3 to 6 months (or longer) of the application closing date, depending on the number of applications received and the number of competitions with closing dates at about the same time.

• The requested start date should therefore be a minimum of 6 months after the application closing data.

Format for Applications

• The application narrative should be organized to follow the exact sequence of the components in the selection criteria used to evaluate applications.

• Always check your grant guidelines to learn the sequence of components required.

Length of Application

• All applications must adhere to the requirements specified in the grant guidelines.

• Under no circumstances should the grant narrative exceed the prescribed limit of pages allowed in the narrative.

Locating Funding Sources

• Social & Behavioral Sciences Research Institute website:

http://w3.arizona.edu/~sbsri/

How to Read an RFP/NOFA(Request for Proposal / Notice of Funding Availability)

• Answer these questions:– What is the purpose of this grant?– Is it compatible with your mission and purpose?– Are we eligible to apply?– If not, could we jointly apply with another

organization?– What is the deadline for submission, receipt or

postmark?

– What is the expected average award amount and range?

– How many awards are anticipated?– What are the “match or in-kind requirements”?– Are the application materials included in the

RFP/NOFA? Is not, where can I obtain them?– Who is the Program Officer and how can I

contact that person?– What specific activities/expenditures are

eligible under this grant?– What are the caps/limits on activity

expenditures?

– What activities/expenditures are ineligible?– Will this program fund new, continuing and/or

expansion of projects?– What selection criteria will be used to evaluate

proposals?– How will points be distributed among the

criteria?– What additional features will be considered in

making award decisions (for example: geographic location; low income participants)

– What guidelines are given for preparing the application itself (page length, supporting documentation, signatures, number of copies)

Reading Between the Lines . . .

• Is the grantor expecting applicants to propose solutions to solving a broad challenge or concern?

• Does the grantor already know what kinds of strategies and approaches it will fund and is just looking for grantees to support them?

Model for Proposal Development1. Initial Project Idea / Goals of Organization

2. Assess your capability

3. Assess the need for the ideaa. Build Support and Involvement

b. Gather the Necessary Data

4. Select the Funding Source

5. Plan Proposal Writing

6. Write the Proposal

7. Submit the Proposal

General Components of a Programmatic Grant Proposal

1. Title Page2. Abstract3. Purpose4. Statement of Need / Significance5. Project Design & Methodology6. Evaluation7. Dissemination8. Qualifications / Key Personnel9. References Cited10. Budget11. Appendix

General Components of an NSF (Research) Grant

1. Abstract2. Project Summary3. Problem Statement4. Theoretical Background and Hypotheses5. Literature Review6. The Research Setting7. Applied Significance8. Research Design and Methods9. Research Timetable10. References Cited11. PI Background

Sample NSF Research Grant

• Obtain a copy of the Cultural Anthropology NSF grant application and reviewer comments for: The Effects of Infertility on Status and Access to Resources Among Wamakonde Women of Tanzania

• This grant was submitted by Principal Investigator, Monique Borgerhoff Mulder at University of California at Davis.

• The grant application and reviewer comments can be downloaded from the NSF website at:

www.nsf.gov/sbe/bcs/anthro/samples/borgprop.htm

Title Page(s) / Cover Sheet

• This sheet provides all the basic information about your grant.

• In federal grants this is called the “Federal Assistance Form” and includes such information as: title of project; project director’s name, address and phone; inclusive dates of grant, total budget amount, signature of authorizing agent.

• In research grants this is called the “Cover Sheet” and includes applicable program announcement, solicitation or program description information.

Table of Contents

• NSF Grants: A Table of Contents is automatically generated for the proposal by the FastLane system. The proposer cannot edit this form.

• Programmatic Grants: you will need to generate a Table of Contents (use automatic table generation format provided by your word processing software such as Word or WordPerfect)

Abstract

• A self-contained ready for publication description of the project covering objectives; need and significance; procedures; evaluation; and dissemination components.

• Should stress end products or project’s advancement of knowledge. Usually 200 to 500 words long.

Best Way to Prepare Program Abstract

• The program abstract should be one page in length, unless otherwise indicated, and:– List the title of the program

– Name of the Priority and CFDA Number or appropriate grantor funding program number

– Indicate if the project addresses a new or an improvement of an ongoing program

– Basically answer the questions: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How

Project Description:(format for research grants)

The main body of the proposal should be a clear statement of the work to be undertaken and should include:

Project Description• The main body of the proposal should be a

clear statement of the work to be undertaken and should include:

– Objectives for the period of the proposed work and expected significance

– Relation to longer-term goals of the PI’s project– Relation to the present state of knowledge in

the field to work in progress by the PI under other support and to work in progress elsewhere

Problem Statement

The statement also should indicate any broader impacts of the proposed activity, addressing the following:

• indicate how the project will integrate research and education by advancing discovery and understanding while at the same time promoting teaching, training, and learning

• Discuss any ways in which the proposed activity will broaden the participation of underrepresented groups

Problem Statement – cont’d.

3. If relevant, discuss how the project will enhance the infrastructure for research and/or education, such as facilities, instrumentation, networks, and partnerships

4. Indicate how the results of the project will be disseminated broadly to enhance scientific and technological understanding

5. Identify potential benefits of the proposed activity to society at-large

Sub-Components of a Research Grant (refer to the sample NSF grant

application)• Theoretical Background and Hypotheses• Literature Review• The Research Setting• Applied Significance• Research Design & Methods• Research Time Table• References Cited

Know the difference between . . .

• GOALS: happen AFTER the life of the grant

• OBJECTIVES: happen DURING the life of the grant and generally incorporate a component within which to measure effectiveness

Non-Research Grant Procedures(see Objectives & Methods sample sheets)

• A plan of action for how the purposes will be achieved.

• In non-research projects, this section usually starts with a description of the overall approach and its relevance or innovativeness and then provides details on methodology, participants, organization and timeline.

• In research projects, one usually describes the design, population and sample, instrumentation, data analysis and time schedule. This may also include a review of related research.

Evaluation• Details the means by which the local agency and

funding source will know that the project has accomplished its purposes.

• May also describe plans for collecting information or data to improve project operation.

• States purpose of evaluation; type of information to be collected; details on instruments, data collection, analysis, utilization and how results will be reported.

Dissemination

• Specifies how products and findings will be shared with others. This section may also detail reports to be provided to funding source.

Qualifications• Documents the ability of the sponsoring

organization to successfully complete the project, including prior related experience.

• Outlines facilities and equipment required and how these will be provided.

• Lists specific personnel who will work on the project and what they will do. Includes brief resumes; describes rational for any consultants to be involved, their role, and background and evidence of their commitment to participate.

Sustainability (Future Funding)• Sustainability, or “future funding”

statements, enable a grantor to see what plans or options you have developed to secure funds beyond the life of the grant.

• No grantor wants to see the funded program “disappear” after the initial funding expires.

Reviewer’s Comments(refer to sample NSF grant)

• The reference NSF grant received the following overall ratings:– Reviewer No. 1: Excellent– Reviewer No. 2: Very Good– Reviewer No. 3: Good-Fair

Note the distinction in the reviewers’ comments. The reviewer comments are downloaded off the NSF website at:

www.nsf.gov/sbe/bcs/anthro/samples/borgrevs.htm

Sample Grant Writing Exercises

University of Arizona

College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

Grant Writing Tips:

http://w3.arizona.edu/~sbsri/

Writing_Tips_frameset.htm