Grant Writing - getting your proposal right

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Although every funding body will have its own requirements, there are several components of a proposal that are standard, and they will often come in the following order:

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Title page q Your title page may include a brief yet clear title for the project, name and address of the funding body, project dates, and amount of funding required. q Most funding bodies will have specific requirements you need to follow, for the title page.

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Abstract q The abstract provides the funding body their first impression of your project. The abstract may be used by the funding body to remind themselves of your proposal when making their final recommendations. The key elements abstracts state are: Ø the general purpose, Ø specific goals, Ø research design, Ø methods, Ø and significance.

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Introduction q The introduction needs cover the main elements of your proposal. These elements should include a statement of the problem, research goals or objectives, the purpose of research, and significance of the research. q The research goals or objectives need to identify the expected outcomes of the research and this should match the needs that have been identified in the statement of problem.

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Literature review q Some grant proposals require a literature review. q This will show that you have done the necessary research to undertake your project and your evaluation of pertinent works.

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Project narrative q The project narrative offers the core of your proposal and supplies all the details of the project. q Your project narrative should include a detailed statement of the problem, research objectives or goals, procedures, methods, hypotheses, outcomes or deliverables, and an evaluation of the research. q The project narrative should also answer ALL the funding body’s questions.

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Personnel q Detail any staffing requirements and ensure that staffing makes sense. q Explicitly describe the skill sets of the personnel already in place and any recruiting requirements.

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Personnel q The budget details your project costs. It usually consists of a table or spreadsheet with the budget itemised and a budget narrative that explains the various expenses. q Getting an accountant to help with this step would be invaluable.

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Timeframe q Detail the expected timeframe for the research project. When will each step begin and be complete? q It may be helpful to the funding body if you include a visual interpretation of your timeline.

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Revising your proposal q A strong grant proposal will take a long time to develop. Leave yourself enough time to get feedback from several independent readers on different drafts by starting the process early. q Ask a few different readers, both in your research area and not. You may also utilise knowledgeable readers on specialised areas of your proposal.

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q Do not hesitate to seek out specialised assistance with your grant writing. Partnering with a professional grant writer could be an invaluable move. q Red Tape Busters has a team of professional and experienced grant writers ready to help you write a grant winning proposal. q Whether your needs are a grant writer Sydney, grant writer VIC, grant writer Melbourne or a grant writer anywhere across the nation, Red Tape Busters can help.

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