Grant Writing Basics

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Grant Writing Basics

• Pre-Writing Tips

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What is the first step in writing a grant?

• Planning
• Develop a concrete idea of the type of project
  you want to devise or the research you want to
  conduct.
• Check out other projects that are already funded.
  How is yours unique? Valuable?
• How does the project fit into ASUs mission?
  Your own research interests?
• Brainstorm with colleagues. Add value to your
  project.

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Planning, Cont.

• Questions to Ask
• What tangible resources are going to be necessary
  to complete this project? Money?
• Does your expertise lend itself to the project?
  Should you collaborate?
• Are your expectations/goals reasonable?
• Are there any ethical considerations?
• Human or animal subjects?

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Ive planned. Now what?

• Search
• Look at organizations and agencies that fund
  projects in your discipline.
• Look at their initiatives.
• Is your project a good match?
• Check with the Grants office. We can assist you
  with the search.

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NowPinpoint!

• Look into the best choice or match.
• Review the application thoroughly.
• Are you eligible to apply?
• When is the deadline?
• Is there a match requirement?
• Contact the Grants Office to fill out proper
  forms.
• Forms are available at www.aug.edu/grants/forms
• Obtain proper signatures.
• Devise a timeline.
• Write up a clear, precise description of your
  project and your research goals.
• You may need a brief, yet concise description of
  your project at several points along the way.

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Time Line Example

• Retrieved from NIAID. http//www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn
  /grants/charts/timeline_prep.htm

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Resource Checklist of questions BEFORE you
begin!

• Do I know the field and its literature well?
• Do I know what other projects in my field are
  being funded?
• Is the field overpopulated with researchers?
• Did I check the literature to make sure the
  project I'm considering has not been done before,
  or has been done and its methods judged
  inadequate?
• Did I brainstorm ideas with colleagues and
  mentors?
• Did I discuss my proposal with program staff in
  the appropriate Institute?
• Did I check to see if my idea matches the
  sponsors initiatives reflecting its
  high-priority areas?
• Do I know what resources and support my
  organization has, and what other support I'll
  need?
• Am I giving myself plenty of time to write the
  application, at least three to six months?
• Have I considered asking a few of my senior
  colleagues to be on a mock review committee so
  that I can get ideas along with feedback on the
  concept, planning, and writing stages of my
  application?
• These questions were adapted from the ones posted
  at http//www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/grants/charts/chec
  klists.htmgbeforebeg

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Contact Us

• Director Kim Gray
• kgray_at_aug.edu
• Ext. 2326
• Grants Development Specialist Tracey Busbee
• tbusbee1_at_aug.edu
• Ext 2327