Basic Proposal Writing at Penn State By Lisa Wiedemer, CRA Manager of University College Grant Relations

Why should I go to all the time and bother of writing a proposal ? Research what you want, how you want Summer salary Travel Student assistants Publications Campus share of indirect costs

What we’ll be discussing Coming up with the idea Figuring out who might pay for it

Getting Started The idea -- What interests you? Have a concrete idea in mind before you start looking— successful grantees are those who find a funder interested in their ideas, not those who tailor their ideas to fit a funder’s interests. -- What would you be happy studying for years? Remember—grants often last for several years. -- What’s fresh? Grantors don’t want to keep funding the same old ideas. If nothing else, try to find a new twist for your idea.

Getting Started Finding funding

Getting Started Sponsor/peer networking –Try conferences, journals, list servs—don’t be afraid to ask colleagues how they were able to fund their research or programming. University

Getting Started searches Grants.gov – –“One-stop shop” for accessing federal grants and contracts information. –Includes: Database with search option Links to Federal Register Application packages

Getting Started funding/funding-searches Community of Science –Bills itself as the most comprehensive source of funding information on the web: 23,000 records, 400,000 funding opportunities worth $33 billion –Database includes sciences (including social sciences), arts and humanities funders –COS Expertise feature allows you to register your research interests so you can be notified of funding opportunities

Getting Started searches Sciences: –Grants Net: Sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science—biomedical sciences and undergraduate science education. –Science.gov: Database with links to dozens of science-related agencies and websites.

Getting Started searches Foundation Center –Provides annotated links to private and corporate foundations and public charities by subject or geographic keyword –Excellent resource for any aspiring proposal writer. Offers free virtual tutorials on proposal writing, budgeting, etc.

Getting Started searches Pennsylvania Bulletin –Document of record for the Commonwealth. Includes information and guidelines for grant programs as they become available Commonwealth of Pennsylvania –Links to all state agencies

Getting Started Register for alerts –Community of Science –Foundation Center

Help! I sat through this whole thing and I STILL have questions! –Lisa Wiedemer, Manager of Grant Relations –(814)

And if you need more…. Fax number –(814) Address –111 Old Main University Park, PA 16802