Tips for Successful Grant Writing B.D. Hayes, DSW, MPH, MSW

Learning Objectives To provide a model for developing your proposal ideas To review winning grant writing tips To identify strategies for mutually beneficial partnering/collaborations To increase extramural funding for a variety of projects

A successful grant proposal is one that is well-prepared, thoughtfully planned and concisely packaged …………….………….CFDA

Write first Funding Second

The Three Essential Laws of Successful Grant Writing Do your homework Follow instructions Use Common Sense

General Tips and Comments Take sufficient time to prepare a good abstract, LOI, or a concept paper Avoid the use of jargon and acronyms Always include a budget and budget justification Be careful when/where you cut and paste: assure uniformity of font size and type ALWAYS use a reader and get editorial assistance

Traits of a Successful Grant Getter Research skills Salesmanship skills Communication skills Ingenuity skills Administrative skills Human relations Persistence, dedication, patience Ability to work hard Political awareness and action Integrity

SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS Direct, concise, compelling, convincing, capable and resourceful Addresses a significant/important problem Explicit goals, measurable objectives Comprehensive but succinct background review Methodology fits problem Appropriate funding mechanism

Unsuccessful Applications Failure to follow directions Lack of new or original ideas Diffuse, superficial, or unfocused research Lacks clearly stated hypothesis and rationale Lack of an overall research goal; uncertainty about future directions Lack of knowledge about relevant literature Questionable reasoning in research design Lack of demonstrated experience in selected methodology (lacks detail) Format issues Over-ambitious

Developing Your Idea(s) Needs Assessment Evidence of problem Local, county, state, national Capability Assessment Organizational People Past and present history Resources (funds, expertise, etc.)

Grant Writing Process Begins with a good idea Review the components of a successful grant Apply the model Evaluate and discuss the plan Literature review Analysis of current research/activity in the field Develop team

The Task You Face Clearly Identify the Need Make sure the needs are those of the target population Define the Solution Use a Problem/Needs approach Carefully Design the Project How a problem is defined often determines an approach to develop a solution

Basic Components The Proposal Summary Introduction Problem Statement (or Needs Assessment) Project Objectives Project Methods or Design Project Evaluation Project Budget Future Funding

General Tips and Comments

Take sufficient time to prepare a good abstract, LOI, or a concept paper Avoid the use of jargon and acronyms Always include s budget and budget justification Be careful when/where you cut and paste: assure uniformity of font size and type ALWAYS use a reader and get editorial assistance

References 1. Writing Grant Proposals That Win. Edited by Deborah Ward. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Jeremy T Miner and Lynn E. Miner. Models of Proposal Planning & Writing. Westport, CT: Praeger, John W. Cresswell. Research Design: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Lawrence F. Locke, Waneen Wyrick Spirduso and Stephen J. Silverman. Proposals that Work: A guide for Planning Dissertations and Grant Proposals (4 th Ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Arlene Fink. Conducting Research Literature Reviews: From Paper to Internet. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Liane Reif-Lehrer. Grant Application Writers Handbook (4 th Ed.) Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Surf the Internet: Proposal Writing (Be Careful!)