Grant Proposal Writing

1
Grant Proposal Writing

• Wednesday, April 25, 2007

2
Agenda

• Introductions
• Internal Assessment Research
• Writing Style
• Inquiry Letter
• Components of a Grant Proposal
• Organization Presentation
• Kennedy School Guidelines
• QA

3
Internal Assessment

• Internal Assessment of your Organization
• Clearly define your goals objectives
• Identify the internal resources that your
  organization can contribute, including who will
  serve as the Principal Investigator (PI)
• Develop a realistic timeline budget for your
  project
• State the anticipated outcomes. Can these
  outcomes be measured? Can your organization
  sustain these outcomes after an initial award?

4
Research

• Identify foundations who support your program or
  project. How do your goals fulfill each
  foundations mission?
• Resources
• KSG Research Central
• http//www.ksg.harvard.edu/research/fndtns_new
  .htm
• Foundation Center
• http//foundationcenter.org/findfunders/
• Professional Network
• Advisory Board Members
• Similar Projects within your field

5
Writing Style

• Clear and concise language. Pay careful attention
  to grammar and overuse of acronyms.
• Maintain a consistent tone and voice across the
  various sections of the proposal.
• Be consistent throughout the proposal when
  referring to staff titles and program
  initiatives.
• Proofread

6
Inquiry Letter

• Letter to a foundation that provides the
  following information
• Paragraph 1
• Brief description of your organization and
  project. The amount you will request and the time
  needed to accomplish your goals.
• Paragraph 2
• Explain how your project is a good match with
  the foundations interests. Describe the problem
  your project can address.
• Paragraph 3
• Discuss the potential outcomes/benefits of
  your project. Provide your organizations contact
  information

7
Components of a Grant Proposal

• Executive Summary (Title Page, Abstract,
  Purpose)
• Snapshot of your project, organization, contact
  information, and the amount requested.
• Statement of Need
  Present facts and
  evidence of the problem your organization will
  addressdraw upon statistics, published research,
  etc. Explain how your project provides an
  innovative solution. Be persuasive.
• Project Description (Procedures, Evaluation,
  Dissemination)
• Concise plan of action that describes how your
  goals and objectives will be accomplished.
  Provide details of the timeline, methodology,
  participants, data collection, analysis, how the
  projects outcome will be reported to all
  stakeholders, and the long-term sustainability of
  the project.
• Budget and Budget Narrative
• Personnel and nonpersonnel items associated with
  the operation of the project.
• Organization Information (Qualifications)
  
• Demonstrates the ability of your organization to
  execute the project and accomplish your goals.
• Conclusion
• Appendices

8
Organization and Presentation

• Organization
• Maintain copies of all submitted paperwork,
  proposals, and general correspondence with the
  foundation.
• Create a calendar and strive to meet all
  deadlines.
• Presentation
• Table of Contents
• Visual Presentation White Space, Margins, and
  Headings

9
Kennedy School Guidelines

• Role of the Kennedy Schools Research
  Administration Office (RAO)
• Role of Harvard Universitys Office for Sponsored
  Programs (OSP)
• Who can serve as a PI?
• Who is authorized to sign documents?
• Policy on the use of the Harvard and Kennedy
  School names
• Use of Human Subjects