Tips & Guidelines on Grant Proposals 

Debra Hess Norris with help from many publications and articles on development and fund raising 

Current Resources for Grants, Fellowships, di d iFunding and Prizes

1. The Department bulletin boards; your advisor; and other graduate students; 

2. Peruse the CV’s of senior scholars who you emulate; department newsletters

3 The Chronicle of Higher Education;3. The Chronicle of Higher Education; professional organization websites

4. Foundation Grants to Individuals Online (Morris Library)

Funding Source Influenced by Type of Grant 

• Professional conferences

• Dissertation & theses

• Postdoctoral fellowships

NOTE: Funding for professionalNOTE: Funding for professional conferences and global research travelAvailable via Office of Graduate and Professional Education

Zangaki: Fellah woman and child Cairo Zangaki: Fellah woman and child, Cairo, Egypt, 1880’s

Collection: AIF / Nawaf Salam© Arab Image Foundation

Investigate and Review Potential Sources and Likelihood for Funding  

• Agency or foundation website and annual reports

• Listing of past awards

• Mission or purpose of agency

• Procedure for application review

• Opportunity to contact Program Officer or submit draftpp y g

Francis Frith, Interior Hall of Columns, Karnac, Albumen Photograph, George Eastman House

Proposal DevelopmentProposal Development

• Confirm eligibilityConfirm eligibility

• Know your audience

• Read application materialsRead application materials with attention to criteria for selection

• Read instructions, respond to all questions, deadline,   # of copies, format

Murad Daguestani“Sousou, the dancer and the snake”

Baghdad, Iraq, 1930Silver gelatin glass negative, 12 x 9.2 cm

Copyright © Arab Image Foundation

General Proposal AdviceGeneral Proposal Advice 

• Careful thought to your 

proposal title

• Focus on WHAT  do you 

want to do and WHY is it 

important – impact 

• Create ENTHUSIASM  & 

EXCITEMENT 

• Work far in advance

• No boilerplate, be specific

Ajamian Collection,Tehran, Iran

General Proposal AdviceGeneral Proposal Advice 

• O i d i ti d• Organize description under 

headings; be careful about 

pages of text

• Avoid jargon – spotlight ideas

– short sentences

– active voice

– first sentence is key

P i f hi• Pay attention to format—white 

spaces, safe margins, font, 

justificationHashem el Madani: Najm (left) and Asmar (right), Saida,

Lebanon, 1950’s, Collection: AIF / H. Madani © Arab Image Foundation

Proposal Abstract – OUTLINEProposal Abstract  OUTLINE • Your objective & goals

• Problem and significance

• Your capabilities

• Total budget (unless est. by award)

• Ensure strong first impression

• Write last

• Gain attention

What?  * Why?  * How Much? 

Hashem el Madani, A man from Ghazieh and his daughter, Saida, Lebanon, 1950’s,

Collection: AIF / H. Madani copyright © Arab Image Foundation

Demonstrate Significance of Your Research ?Outcome – So WHAT? 

• Who is interested?

• Why are you the best scholar?

• What will we learn?

• Why is this important?Why is this important?

• When will the work be completed?

• H ill li h thi ?• How will you accomplish this?

Issa Sawabini: Jaffa, Palestine, 1920’s, Collection: AIF / Samia Salfiti

© Arab Image Foundation

Demonstrate Knowledge of State of h i i ldResearch in Field

• Superb bibliographySuperb bibliography

• Be thorough—don’t 

promise more than you p y

can deliver

• Did you answer all the y

questions on the 

application form?

• Clear, easy to find, be 

consistent

• Think long‐termAlban: Studio portrait, Cairo, Egypt, 1945, Collection: AIF/Mikaelian family, © Arab Image Foundation.

Budget : Well –Justified & blReasonable 

• Read instructions carefully• Read instructions carefully

• Do not inflate 

D d i• Do not underestimate 

• Detail expenses –

transparent

• Pursue matching funds to 

h lstrengthen proposal

• Check math 3 times

Fez, Morocco, (dates unknown)Collection: AIF / A. Tazi

Copyright © Arab Image Foundation

Final Thoughtsg• Be consistent

• Be positiveBe positive

• State objectives clearly

• Focus in your credibility

• Demonstrate your knowledge and your passion

ll li i l l• Follow outline, write clearly

• Be specific

• Do not complain• Do not complain

• Transparent budget

• Review and review

• Do not be shy AnonymousFez, Morocco, (dates unknown)

Collection: AIF / A. TaziCopyright © Arab Image Foundation

Goals for Funding, Grants and Fellowship lDevelopment

• Comprehensive list in multiple places—Department  and Office of Graduate and Professional  Education 

• Half‐day workshops in spring 2009 and beyond

• H t ’ d t• How‐to’s and support:

• locating funding/finding the right fit

• how to prepare a proposalhow to prepare a proposal

• tapping into grant and proposal development sources already in place

• the logistics of funding/responsibilities and ethic