How to Start the Grant Writing Process and Find Funding Opportunities

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How to Start the Grant Writing Process and Find
FundingOpportunities

• Presented by
• The Office of Sponsored Programs

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Basic overview of the grant process and agenda
for the workshop

• Grant writing begins with a passionate idea
• Grant writing is a business process
• There are three primary businesses that fund
  grants
• Homework is required to find the best business
  sponsor for your grant
• 5. Homework is required to prepare the most
  competitive business proposal

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Passionate and successful grant ideas

• Prevent or reduce a community problem or
  researches a major issue facing society.
• Always help a targeted population.
• Attack problems through creative, innovative
  programs or services.
• Result in gaining knowledge about how to prevent
  or reduce a problem.
• Disseminate the new knowledge to others.
• Can be easily replicated.

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Grant writing is a business process

• Submitting a proposal may be compared to a
  business where income must be earned from a
  competitive process
• Like a business proposal, your Grant Proposal is
  the presentation of your work to the persons
  (Sponsors) who will decide whether they want to
  invest in your idea (Proposal).
• A major goal of a Proposal is to convey the
  important points in a very efficient, succinct,
  and interesting manner.
• Otto O. Yang, (2007). Guide to Effective Grant
  Writing. Springer ScienceBusiness Media, LLC.
  New York, NY.

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Three major business entities that fund grants

• Federal Agencies
• Foundations
• Corporations

• Locating funding sources DOES NOT start with a
  sponsor.
• It is not fundraising for a specific item.
• Sponsors provide funding to meet their own
  agendas and goals.
• It takes time to secure funding.
• You have to ignore your fear of rejection.
• Developing a relationship with a sponsor is
  critical.

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Need to research who would be the best business
sponsor for your project
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You need a sponsor who..

• Considers your problem a priority
• Funds comparable projects
• Funds in your geographical area
• Has eligibility requirements that wont exclude
  your organization from funding

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Resources for locating funding sources

• Office of Government Grants Website
• www.rowan.edu/grants
• www.grants.gov
• SPIN module within InfoEd

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Need to prepare the most competitive business
proposal
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First you must carefully review the Request for
Proposal (RFP)

• Is it worth applying?

• What format is required?

• Eligibility
• Time Frame
• Appropriateness
• Effort Required
• Return on Investment
• Likelihood of Success

• Do you understand what proposal elements are
  required?
• Do you need to contact the sponsor for
  clarification?
• Do you need additional forms or instructions?
• Can you review a copy of a previously awarded
  proposal for this program?

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Then simply follow the sponsors recipe (RFP) to
create your outline for the proposal

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Common elements of a proposal

• Cover Letter
• Signed Face Page
• Abstract (Summary)
• Table of Contents
• Narrative/Project Description
• Budget/Sustainability Plan
• Letters of Support
• Resumes/Biosketches/Job Descriptions

• Project Description
• Introduction (background)
• Problem Statement
• Specific Aims
• Goals Objectives
• Methodology Work plan
• Personnel Facilities
• Evaluation
• Dissemination Plan
• Conclusion

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Other important ingredients

• FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY
• Sponsors require a highly standardized format
  that should be strictly followed. The reason for
  this rigid organization is that it provides a
  standard framework that makes it easier for the
  reviewers to
• read and assess multiple grants.
• to locate specific information within the
  application quickly.
• Different types of grants each have different
  goals, page limitations, budget restrictions and
  research priorities

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Organization and aesthetics matter

• Appearance and attention to details count because
  they make a first impression.
• A document that is disorganized, displeasing to
  the eye and or difficult to read may be
  interpreted as reflecting lack of care and effort
  in planning of the project.
• Following the detailed requirements of the RFP in
  your proposal demonstrates to the Sponsor that
  you will apply the same strict adherence to
  details when conducting your project.
• Revised 11/24/08