Applying for Funding: Five Basic Steps

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Applying for FundingFive Basic Steps

• 31 August 2010

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Five Basic Steps in Applying for Funding

• Look in
• Look out
• Understand your possible funding source(s)
• Write application
• Submit application

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Step 1 Look In

• Ask yourself and articulate clearly
• What is your vision/mission?
• What are your goals?
• What are your objectives?
• What do you propose to do to achieve your
  objectives?
• Bottom line No vision no funding

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Step 2 Look Out

• Companies and other for-profits
• Foundations and other not-for-profits
• Governments
• Individuals
• Networks (personal and professional)
• Services (and their websites) for finding funding
  sources
• Bottom line Possible funding sources many and
  diverse

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Step 3 Understand Your Possible Funding Source(s)

• Their mission/vision?
• Their priorities in general and specifically for
  this solicitation?
• How are their priorities reflected in the
  solicitations review criteria?
• Who is eligible to apply for funding/what are the
  eligibility criteria?
• Bottom line No fit no funding

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Step 3 Understand Your Possible Funding Source(s)

• Their process for determining funding priorities?
• Their process for this solicitation
• Deadlines?
• Review?
• Application format, font, length?
• Special requirements?
• Bottom line Follow directions and observe
  deadlines!

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Step 4 Write Application

• THINK How does what I would like to do fit
  within the funders mission/vision and
  priorities?
• Pay explicit attention to the funders
  priorities, and put what you would like to do in
  the context of their priorities
• Tell your story clearly
• Ask knowledgeable colleagues and mentors to
  critique the application, and pay attention to
  their comments.
• Bottom line the better your objectives fit
  within the funders priorities the better your
  chance of success assuming that your proposal is
  clear and technically meritorious

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Step 5 Submit Application

• Follow application submission instructions
• Meet deadlines
• Wait