1 / 24

Writing a compelling grant application

Writing a compelling grant application. Trish Lowney osp.syr.edu plowney@syr.edu X2882 Spring 2011. Understand why…. You want to apply for a grant A sponsor should fund you and your project. The grant application process. Time/resource intensive

cain
Download Presentation

Writing a compelling grant application

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Writing a compelling grant application Trish Lowney osp.syr.edu plowney@syr.edu X2882 Spring 2011

  2. Understand why… • You want to apply for a grant • Asponsor should fund you andyour project

  3. The grant application process • Time/resource intensive • YOU: Writing /compiling materials takes time.. • Involves lots of folks • Sponsor: Selecting applications takes time.. • Involves lots of folks

  4. The grant application process • Time – most precious & limited resource • Be smart & strategic in writing efforts

  5. So, What is a grant application? • Marketing tool • Application for “investment” of $$  outcomes to benefit the public • Low risk  high yield? • High risk  high impact? • Description of or story about • why are you and your project are worthy of investment

  6. What is a grant application?? Document or packet of materials that • COMMUNICATES in its entirety clearly, concisely and according to sponsor’s guidelines.. • Great idea!!! • Significance and benefits to sponsor or society • Use of best approach to realize the idea • The availability of all resources essential for success i.e., team, expertise, experience, management skills, track record, etc. • Cost effectiveness

  7. What a grant application is not • A Lottery ticket • Random • Long shot • Same chance for all to ‘win’ • Be smart and strategic - your application won’t be a ticket to the lottery

  8. Key Considerations • Preparation • Time management • Relationship building • You are not alone…

  9. Preparation…. • Determine if your project is a good fit for the sponsor / funding opp • Do homework and learn: • The Sponsor’s mission, goals, objectives • Website; annual report; white papers… • Who/what have they funded recently? • Know any awardees? Contact to get application • Don’t know any awardees? Contact to get application • In both cases – view as a possible future collaborator…

  10. Preparation…. • Is your project a good fit for the sponsor? • Confirm you’re eligible for program • Citizenship, years since PhD, Field • Funds to SU: institution of higher ed or 501 (c )3 eligible? • Map out why there is significant match between your project / interests and the sponsor’s goals, funding objectives etc

  11. Preparation…. • Is your project a good fit for the sponsor? • Once you’ve ‘settled on’ a sponsor program / funding opportunity  • Contact program manager EARLY • Check website for contact preference • Meet at professional annual meetings • “Cold call” or email a concept paper • Confirm project focus, scope, approach, duration and cost are good fit.

  12. Preparation… • What’s a concept paper? • Brief (1 paragraph  1 page) summary • What you want to do (research question) • Why it’s important • Objectives / approach • Expected outcomes • Expected collaborators/investigators • Total project duration / cost • See also – OSP presentations • http://osp.syr.edu

  13. Time Management • If all indicators are positive • Tell your “boss” (Chair, dean, supervisor) your plans… • Provide OSP the solicitation, url, application, deadline, etc • Get organized: • Read instructions!! • Understand the review process and who will review • Make an outline

  14. Time Management • Read the instructions again • Review your outline • Clarify any questions • Program officer • OSP • Determine who will be responsible for what components (e.g., you, other researchers, dept support, OSP) • Identify any resources needed • Talk to your boss… (space, equipment, workers, graduate student tuition, etc)

  15. Time Management • Using your time wisely • Working back from SU internal deadline - develop timeline with milestones • To OSP: complete application & signed OSP routing & review form 3 business days before sponsor’s deadline • Budget, justification, draft narrative: 7 days before deadline • Consider non-SU collaborator’s schedules and their institutional deadlines • OSP requires written commitment & other materials from OSP equivalents

  16. Time Management & Writing … • Block time every day… • Follow instructions – for the organization of narrative andthe complete proposal • Creative ideas, NOT creative presentation…

  17. Writing … Understand the selection process and review criteria • Clearly & concisely convey • What you want to do • First two paragraphs/first page • Context of work (big picture) • Overarching goals • Specific objectives 1stpage • The importance or significance of what you want to do • First couple of pages • State of knowledge, needs assessment • Significance of project outcomes clear?

  18. Writing … Understand the selection process and review criteria • Clearly & concisely convey • Howyou are going to do what you want to do • Why you have chosen to use the specific approach selected (rationale for methods / approaches) • Describe any weaknesses or limitations to proposed strategies, how you plan to address any barriers encountered and alternative plans to achieve objectives • Expected results & interpretation • Describe how you know you are successful • “So What?” • Once the project is complete, so what?? • Circle back to original idea and discuss how met/addressed; address the sponsor’s need

  19. Writing – Format, Format, Format • Readable font • Informative headers (review criteria?) • Judicious use of white space • Illustrative materials • Pictures / Tables / Figures Make the reviewer your advocate! • Follow format instructions • Proposals get return unreviewed for format non-compliance

  20. Budget - Value • Financial Expression of the work plan • Work with OSP or budget manager early • Funds available can limit amount of work done • With work plan & timeline – major determinant of project feasibility

  21. Relationship building • Plan ahead! • Take advantage of all resources available to distribute the load • Give yourself and others adequate time • Engage the sponsor / program officer early & be respectful of their time • Have lots of different types of folks read your application early! • Work with OSP in advance – we can do our best work when we’ve time to work with and support you

  22. Summary – A compelling application conveys • A great idea • Significance to sponsor • The rationale for the activities / approaches to be used • Speed bumps/alternative routes • What success looks like (expected results and interpretation of ‘other outcomes) • The team is qualified and capable • All resources needed for success! • Good value!

  23. Wrap Up • Persevere!! • Try to get feedback from sponsor (always available from federal awards) • Revise based on comments • If at first you don’t succeed – try try again.

  24. Resource - Happy to read drafts! Trish Lowney, PhD Executive Director, Sponsored Programs 113 Bowne Hall Syracuse University Syracuse, NY 13244-1200 315-443-2882 (ph) 315-443-9361 (fx) plowney@syr.edu

More Related